The golf course, for which the original nine holes were designed by Donald Ross, will be modified from 27 to 18 holes. A study will also be commissioned to explore the addition of a new short course and Himalayan-style putting green. A full-service practice facility will be created by enlarging teeing grounds and adding target greens.
The Waynesville (N.C.) Inn & Golf Club and Bobby Weed Golf Design (BWGD) entered into a formal agreement to comprehensively renovate all 27 holes. The transformation will begin this summer and last 16–24 months.
“With deep roots in the Carolinas and 40-plus years of experience, we have entrusted Bobby Weed Golf Design to direct our golf course restoration,” said Grey Raines, managing partner of Raines, which manages the property. “Bobby has pledged to be on-site to lead our promising road ahead, and for that we are most grateful.”
Situated near Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Waynesville Inn & GC is set to celebrate its centennial anniversary in 2026. The original nine holes were built by Donald Ross. 18 more holes were later added. The 111-room Inn and accompanying golf course will join Raines’ boutique hotel division, Woven by Raines.
“My wife, Leslie, has generational family ties in Waynesville that date back over 100 years,” said golf course architect, Bobby Weed. “As long-time area residents, we sincerely thank Grey Raines and David Tart of Raines for allowing our team to modernize this revered western North Carolina layout.”
BWGD’s Master Plan will identify the club’s most actionable items, while combining a long-term sustainability strategy that allows the Waynesville Inn & GC to prepare for future needs. Features of the Master Plan include timelines, infrastructure and capital improvement needs, a hole-by-hole analysis, a full course restoration, agronomic best practices and efficient budgeting.
BWGD will modify the mountainous golf course from 27 to 18 holes. A study will also be commissioned to explore the addition of a new short golf course and Himalayan-style putting green. Moreover, a full-service practice facility will be employed by enlarging teeing grounds and adding practice target greens.
Notably, BWGD possesses extensive knowledge of restoring and carrying on the legacy of original Donald Ross designs. Other Ross layouts that BWGD has been hired to preserve include Linville (N.C.) Golf Club, Palatka (Fla.) Golf Club, Palma Ceia Golf & Country Club in Tampa, Fla., Timuquana Country Club in Jacksonville, Fla. and University of Florida’s Mark Bostick Golf Club in Gainesville, Fla.
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