With a goal of making the layout more accessible, playable and viable, the golf course is undergoing extensive improvements. The project will also include a 15,000-sq. ft. putting green, a short game practice area, and room for the clubhouse to expand.

By redesigning the Jacksonville Beach (Fla.) Golf Club, Harrison Minchew plans to make the layout more accessible, playable, and viable, the Jacksonville-based WJXT News4Jax reported.

“The golf course is a diamond in the rough,” said Minchew as he surveyed the property. “You have the sea breeze coming from the east predominantly and it is just a really, really nice place to play golf.  Now that we will have all of the turf issues sorted out, some of the playability issues sorted out as well, it’s going to be a very good facility for the public that will attract all kinds of players.”

Planned changes include:
-The 6th hole shortened to a par 4 instead of a par 5
-The 7th hole a more gentle dogleg to the left.
-The green for the 8th hole moved to front of pond.
-The 16th hole shortened to a par 4 instead of a par 5
-The 17th green moved farther away from the houses on the left side of the hole.
-The 18th hole now a par 5 playing to the old 16th green.

There is not a tee box or green area on the whole property that will be the same, Minchew said, and he hopes the three finishing holes players will remember, WJXT reported.

“Sixteen is going to play about to a par 4 and a half, then 17 is going to be a short par 4 that will typically play easier than par,” Minchew said. “Finally 18 is going to be a par 5 that will be a very scoreable hole.”

In addition to the course improvements, Minchew has planned an extensive putting green/course that can be over 15,000 sq. ft., a short game practice area that the old course did not have, and room for the clubhouse to expand to a private enterprise that could stay open in the evenings after the course is closed, WJXT reported.

“I grew up playing public golf and it is just going to provide access to people to come and play the game,” Minchew said. “That’s what we are trying to do.”

Barring any delays, the new Jacksonville Beach golf course is aiming for a September 1 re-open date, WJXT reported.