Our Woodlake Country Club Master planning is well underway. On October 15th, the Lake Surf Grill officially closed its doors to make way for the new temporary Clubhouse, 19th Hole, and Pro Shop Facilities. Once again, we want to extend a very special thank you to Dave Harris and the Woodlake community for making this facility the perfect building block for Woodlake’s membership facilities.
We are excited to share that planning and prep work for the Clubhouse updates have officially commenced! Plans for the new Clubhouse facility includes a 19th hole dining experience complete with patios and covered dining areas for outdoor seating, fire pits, improved landscaping, and modern finishes in the bar and event areas. The temporary Clubhouse will also house the renovated Pro Shop that overlooks the putting green and 1st hole.
The Maples Course is coming together nicely and has really started taking shape over the last few months. We are on the cusp of the final stages of redevelopment and will be taking extra precaution in analyzing the fall and winter conditions in releasing our upcoming plans for the course grand opening. This will allow us to solidify our base of Bermuda instead of overseeding with winter grasses that would compromise our new growth. We plan to focus on tree clearing and cleanup and have a good strong base for the growing season to start in early spring. We anticipate that the grand opening for the Maples Course will occur mid-summer 2023 (assuming Mother Nature cooperates) with hopes of having fully functioning 19th hole facilities to provide members with a full club experience while playing the newly renovated course.
Pictured from Left to Right: Hole 3 and Hole 7, which has been named Swans Neck for its unique curvature and design, along with Holes 8 and 9.
This fall, ANC officially closed out its phase of the golf course renovation with Kris Spence, Golf Course Architect, who has moved on to his next project in Florida. His expertise, eye for design, and passion for golf architecture has been integral to the re-development of the Golf Course. Although his chapter here has closed, we look forward to working with him on other projects designed for the master plan at Woodlake. Thank you, Kris, for your commitment to going above and beyond in order to bring the Golf Course back to life over the last 18 months.
A Bittersweet Goodbye…. Left to Right: Cara Spencer, ANC and Kris Spence, Spence Golf, Inc.
Our ANC Maples Course staff of 12 will now change focus to winter projects and ongoing maintenance needs such as tree removal, lakebed cleanup, bunker maintenance, and various other cleanup tasks assigned while working under the leadership of Chris Dwiggins, The Maples Golf Course Superintendent. In addition to general maintenance projects, the ANC staff is working to rehabilitate the Magnolias driving range, although it is yet to be determined whether this will be a temporary or permanent solution for a practice area. We have also commenced cleanup and updates at “The Turn” (a food and beverage house located between holes 9 and 10).
Additionally, we are excited to share that the final layout for the Sales Office has been approved and working plans are being finalized for permitting. Our vision for enhancing this space involves a large community center as well as leasable commercial spaces. A more detailed project and construction timeline to come.
Woodlake Country Club Branding & Membership
We have spent the better part of the last few months creating new branding for Woodlake Country Club and the Maples Course. We are also in the process of ordering signage with the new logos and look forward to revealing the new branding very soon. Our Woodlake Country Club website, as well as information on Memberships, is expected to launch in early 2023, ahead of the summer season to allow time for signups prior to the soft opening date of the Clubhouse & Golf Course. The website and membership experience will include a mobile application featuring online tee times and dining reservations, account management, and more exciting elements designed to elevate the club experience. The unveiling of our new branding will coincide with the website launch in early 2023. To prepare, ANC has started building an inventory of merchandise and apparel from reputable golf brands to display and sell in the new Pro Shop. We look forward to sharing these items with you and providing more details in the near future.
Dam Updates
Engineering plans for the Dam are expected to be finalized in the next 60-90 days, at which time we will need to seek approval from NC DEQ. In anticpation of obtaining approval, we are optimistically planning to begin prep work for Dam construction in phases, beginning with clear cutting and spraying or burning the lake bottom, lighting, road access, and construction trailers. A proposed timeline of phases will be published for the community prior to beginning any type of spraying or burn projects.
At this time, we are still navigating increased construction costs and materials. Fortunately, in our search for a solution, we have identified a lead contractor to help guide us through the process of effectively reducing the cost of the dam project as we continue to seek funding. One key component of the Dam design and major contributor for the increased costs, is our priorty to create a design that will help mitigate any future downstream flooding. These designs are more complex and costly, but are vital in our efforts to ensure that this project will create long-term sustainability for multiple areas across the state. Although the State of North Carolina provided a grant to repair the Dam, that will not change the status or title of the Dam or lakebed; it will still remain privately owned property.
The housing developments around Woodlake are currently considered to be in a flood zone, and most homeowners with mortgages are required by law to have flood insurance; a costly expense of up to $1,000 per year per household. One of our goals with the Dam design is to eliminate this requirement for homeowners within the Woodlake community.
We Need Your Help!
With the changing of the season, there will be excess leaves and yard debris to clean-up. Please be mindful that all shrubbery must be maintained in a presentable appearance, and when appropriate, shrubs should be trimmed, dead or diseased portions should be pruned, and dead plants should be removed. Additionally, residents are responsible for leaf and tree cleanup and disposal, including residents adjacent to the golf course, per the rules and regulations set forth by the POA. No materials or debris should be left on ANC property for removal or disposal. Homeowners that leave any materials or debris will receive a letter requesting removal of these items within seven (7) days. Failure to comply may result in POA fees.
Futher, as construction ramps up on the 19th hole, Pro Shop, and parking lot reconstruction (including the golf course), we ask that you would please, for safety reasons, continue to avoid these areas until further notice.
Woodlake in the News
‘We’ve Come a Long Way’: At Woodlake, Restoration and Relief
Greensboro golf architect builds new course on N.C. site
Kris Spence completes revival of Woodlake course near Pinehurst