by Kevin Farmer
After years of planning and reconstruction, Sewanee’s own golf course, aptly named “The Course at Sewanee,” is once again open for business, having received a dramatic overhaul from award-winning golf course architect Gil Hanse and assistant Jim Wagner.
When asked what he most wanted students to know about the redesigned course, Course Manager and PGA Professional Matthew Daniels replied, “Well first of all I want them to know that the course is open! It’s something the University and alumni have been talking about doing for 15 years,” he elaborated. “We’re really excited about where the golf program is going for the University.”
And it’s easy to see why. The redesigned course has been complimented by a new putting green, a new state-of-the-art training facility, which offers men’s, women’s, and children’s clinics, and a fleet of 36 brand new golf carts available to rent. And with the addition of the soon to be completed Sewanee Inn, golf lodge, and course website, Daniel’s said he expects the course to draw quite a crowd.
Located across the street from Emerald Hodgson Hospital down Green’s View Road, the 9-hole course has largely retained its original layout, including the stunning vistas offered by holes like #6, whose green stands picturesquely overlooking the valley below. But chief architect Gil Hanse has done much to ensure golfers returning to the course will find new challenges waiting for them. Distinguished by his past accomplishments as architect of the award-winning Castle Stuart course in Iverness, Scotland, he has also been chosen to redesign the TPC Blue Monster course in Doral, FL, and even won the competition to design the 2016 Olympic golf course in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
“It’s tough,” said Daniels, when asked about the challenging aspects of the redesigned course. “#1 is a beast of a hole. We added about 25 bunkers and it’s definitely more of a championship design. But all courses aren’t designed to be easy.”
Yearly memberships can be purchased at the golf shop for $200, which can be reached by phone at 931-598-1104. The course does not allow metal spikes in footwear or denim, and requires collared shirts to be worn. Golfers are able to rent a cart or walk the course, but private carts are prohibited. As always, standard golf etiquette is asked of all golfers.