At Old Waverly Club (West Point, Miss.), the recent renovation of the Mossy Oak Golf Course was never about visual upgrades alone. The yearlong project focused on how the course performs under pressure, from heavy rain to peak play to seasonal transitions that test even well-built layouts.
General Manager Jim Clay approached the work with a long view, prioritizing drainage, turf health, and infrastructure decisions that would quietly raise conditioning standards over time. In this Q&A, Clay walks through the thinking behind the bunker rebuilds, the decision to regrass greens with TifEagle bermudagrass, and the behind-the-scenes improvements that golfers may not notice but feel every round.
Jim Clay, General Manager, Old Waverly Club
Club + Resort Business (C+RB): What was the guiding goal behind the yearlong renovation at Mossy Oak?
Jim Clay (JC): Our main objectives focused on enhancing bunker drainage and maintenance, creating a more enjoyable experience for golfers, and installing cart paths across all holes. Those things shape how the course holds up, not just how it looks.
C+RB: Why did the bunkers rise to the top of the priority list?
JC: Before the renovation, the bunkers had excessively steep sand flashes that were difficult for players. Every heavy rain meant sand washing out, and they were constantly acting like catch basins.
C+RB: How did you approach fixing those issues?
JC: Rather than adjusting around the edges, we committed to a full reconstruction. All existing sand, pea gravel, and drainage lines were removed and replaced. We lowered sand heights and redirected water flow so the bunkers would shed water instead of collecting it.
C+RB: What difference does that make for golfers?
JC: Now the bunkers behave the way they’re supposed to. They drain properly, they’re consistent, and they’re much easier to maintain. The new sand has a higher Penetrometer value, which significantly reduces plugged lies. That matters for everyone, especially higher-handicap golfers. You don’t want a bunker to feel like a penalty box every time it rains.
C+RB: The greens were also regrassed. Why TifEagle?
JC: TifEagle is well-suited for our environment. It handles high temperatures, retains color better in cooler months, and transitions out of winter faster and more aggressively than other bermudagrasses.
C+RB: How does that choice affect conditioning standards?
JC: It allows us to deliver the kind of green speeds and consistency our members expect, without stressing the plant. That balance is important for long-term performance.
C+RB: How did Mossy Oak’s role with Mississippi State influence the renovation?
JC: We wanted to make sure the course remains a great test for years to come. Strategic tee additions help challenge elite players, but our conditioning plan doesn’t really change because most of those tees are surrounded by native grasses that are low maintenance.
C+RB: Cart paths don’t always get much attention. Why were they important here?
JC: Infrastructure plays a bigger role in conditioning than many golfers realize. We rerouted some paths to improve sightlines, added curbs around tees and greens to protect turf, and installed catch basins to intercept rainwater. Wall-to-wall paths allow play to continue after heavy rainfall.
C+RB: From your perspective, what had the biggest impact on overall conditioning?
JC: Playability improved across all levels. That comes from mow lines, bunker conditions, and subtle changes to green approaches and contours. Those details raise the baseline of how the course plays every day.
C+RB: What improvements might go unnoticed by most golfers?
JC: Eliminating surface runoff into the bunkers has quietly transformed how the course responds to rain. We also removed native grass that had been overly punitive in certain landing areas. Those areas were sprigged with 419 Bermuda, creating a more welcoming playing surface.
C+RB: How do you sum up the renovation now that it’s complete?
JC: It was never about reinvention. It was about making the course perform better, play better, and hold up better. That’s the long view we took.
