Just four days before the Jaycee Memorial Golf Course in Pine Bluff is scheduled to reopen, course superintendent Mike Wilson was on the greens Monday, making a few final renovations.
The Jaycee course is undergoing a makeover for the first time since 1996. Wilson said the changes have included redoing the greens, adding three fairway bunkers and a new pond, trimming limbs, cutting down dead trees and various other improvements to the course.
On Monday, Wilson and Greg Walker, owner of Town and Country Hardware, were working on the course’s irrigation system and had fixed three leaks.
“We have gotten back positive feedback,” Wilson said. “Everything has been good.”
Wilson said that although it might take players some time to become accustomed to the revamped course, he believes they will enjoy it.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
According to a previous article, the goals Wilson had set for the project included covering hardpan areas of exposed dirt with grass, trimming large shady trees that were hindering grass growth, resurfacing and replanting areas where erosion had occurred, running underground watering lines to some newly covered grass areas, redefining tee boxes, transplanting sod to the right side of the No. 3 fairway, modifying the undulation of the No. 2 green, repairing cart paths, completing minor renovations to the inside and outside of the pro shop and fixing general ruts, holes, and other non-uniform parts of the greens. Wilson said he had met most of those goals, thanks in large to donations from businesses and individuals. Wilson said those donations of time and products saved around $85,000 on the total project.
Along with physical renovations Wilson plans to change the mentality toward the golf course as well. He said since so much work has been put forth, and so many people have taken time out of their lives to help, he wants to make sure the course is respected.
“I plan to have a marshal out here pretty much seven days a week to ensure that nobody will be driving too close to the green or on the green,” Wilson said.
As the reopening of the course draws closer, Wilson expects to see a big crowd. The course has been shut down for seven weeks, since April 30.
The course will open Friday morning at 8 a.m. Course hours are 8 a.m. until sunset, seven days a week, except for Christmas Day. Fees are $22.50, which includes cart rental.