Virginia Golfer Jul / Aug 2020 | Page 26

Labor of Love Comes to Fruition goals, while incorporating plenty of the “wow” factor for everyone involved. “My impression is that it’s an incredible transformation,” said Martin Winters, Birdwood’s longtime PGA Director of Golf. “Davis took something that was really good to begin with and made it really great. “The routing is incredible and the course is much more open than the old Birdwood. Everything you see has changed.” Five holes remain in the same corridors, while five more are in the former corridors, and eight brand new holes were created on new property that was untouched before the Love team discovered breathtaking vistas on the “back forty.” Birdwood’s fairways are now Zeon Zoysia (more weather and traffic tolerant), while the new tee boxes are Northridge Bermuda, and the greens are V8 bentgrass, the same as The Greenbrier’s Old White course. The rough is a fescue, Bluegrass mix surrounded by native areas of Irish Links Mix, fine fescues and natural grasses such as Broom’s Edge, which will eventually define and frame the holes from the golfer’s eye. That’s only the beginning for the new Birdwood. More upgrades include: • A change from asphalt to concrete cart paths • More footbridges around lakes and creeks • Triple the amount of irrigation • Brand new bunkering • Everything is now walk-mowed • Brand new tee boxes, including six sets of tees for golfers of every level, ranging from 3,800 yards to more than 7,000 • Tripled the number of holes that are on the course’s lakes to bring more water into play • More elongated greens so golfers can get a two- to three-club difference on approach shots • An improved driving range “It’s not really a renovation, it’s a brand new golf course.” —Davis Love III green in the Commonwealth, it is fashioned after similar greens at Pinehurst and Bandon Dunes, but with small fescue islands that break up the massive space and designed to match the slopes of the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains. “We envision folks coming out for dinner and drinks, hanging out and having a friendly putting competition,” Winters said. “Also, corporate groups can conduct team building while coming out to music, a bar, and just having fun.” Winters noted that the club can host its junior program and First Tee events on the putting course. Same holds true for Birdwood’s new, six-hole, par-3 course, which is located in the vicinity of former holes 4 and 5. A Home for All In addition, the Love team expanded the old putting green behind the back patio to nearly an acre-sized putting course that can host various competitions, while providing golfers an area to warm up for their round. Perhaps the largest putting Davis Love III, center, and his team discuss plans during the construction phase at Birdwood. BOARS HEAD RESORT 24 V IRGINIA G OLFER | J ULY/A UGUST 2020 vsga.org