WS Chronicle

BY TODD LUCK

THE CHRONICLE

The first parks project from the 2016 bond referendum is moving forward as Forsyth County commissioners voted unanimously to award a design contract for renovations at Tanglewood Park’s golf courses.

County commissioners awarded a $220,000 design contract for Tanglewood golf course renovations to Pinehurst-based Richard Mandell Golf Architecture during its Monday, April 10, meeting. The county’s preliminary working budget for the renovation is $2,625,000. The hope is that these improvements will attract the PGA (Professional Golf Association) to once again hold events at Tanglewood.

In November, voters approved $15 million in bonds for Forsyth County Parks and Recreation. Tanglewood, where the county has most of its recreational assets, is the biggest recipient of those funds with $6.9 million in bond projects.

Tanglewood, which had nearly 2 million visitors last fiscal year, does have a small admission fee and charges for some of its amenities, but it doesn’t turn a profit. Like other public parks, it is subsidized by taxpayers.

County commissioners chairman Dave Plyler said golf course renovations, like the other bond projects, are needed capital projects to maintain and improve the county’s assets.

“What we’re doing is trying to be good stewards of what we have,” he said.

The work will include bunker and tee renovations and arbor care on the Championship course. It’ll also include irrigation on the Championship and Reynolds courses. The Championship greens will be converted to Bermuda grass, a drought resistant grass that’s easier to maintain. Parks and Recreation Director Mike Anderson said whether the course will be partially or completely closed during renovations will be determined during the design process. The course renovations do not include clubhouse improvements, which is a separate project in the parks bond that’ll be done later.

County Commissioner Don Martin said the PGA’s return to Tanglewood would be a boost for the local economy, and the county would see increased tax revenues from things like hotel bookings.

The PGA has a long history at Tanglewood. The park hosted the 1974 PGA Championship when Lee Trevino beat Jack Nicklaus by one stroke. For 16 years, it hosted the Vantage Championship, a senior circuit event that ended in 2002. The golf course has not had major renovations since then. Construction on the course is scheduled for next year.