Virginia Golfer September / October 2014 | Page 26

A New Approach at Independence
Golf course renovations among the changes at the central Virginia club |
The overhaul also called for a reduction
in the square footage devoted to bunkers.
A late addition to the plan occurred when
the decision was made to convert the greens
from bentgrass to a bermudagrass strain
produced by Champion Turf Farms.
Prominent courses throughout the south
that previously had bentgrass greens have
made the switch. The Blue Heron course at
Ford’s Colony in Williamsburg changed to
Champion last year, but Independence is the
northernmost layout to convert.
An experiment?
“I was thinking of it more as a gamble,”
Breed says.
George, who has thrived on course
renovations and restorations, says the “greens
are going to set a standard for public golf in
the region.”
The new putting surfaces, unlike bentgrass,
love the heat. They are typically aerated just
once a year, in July. The speed will be more
consistent because they don’t need as much
water, and there aren’t as many concerns
about not mowing because of heat stress.
“When bentgreens are aerating in the
spring and fall, we’ll have perfect conditions,”
Breed says. “I think the public will see a much
better putting surface.”
The Champion grass doesn’t like the cold.
The greens require protection if the sustained
temperature falls below 25 degrees. Those in
the industry with expertise in covers will come
out in the winter to help with custom fitting.
“We elected to go with the safest
[protection], which is basically putting a
blanket over the green,”
Breed says.
The par-4 sixth hole features a larger landing
Like all types of
area for tee shots to settle.
bermudagrass, it goes
dormant. The new fairways
also will go dormant,
but Independence won’t
overseed to keep the course
green. Instead, the putting
surfaces and fairways will
be painted green.
George has made some
significant changes to the
strategy of the golf course.
The bunkering square
footage has been reduced

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VIRGINIA GOLFER | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014

from 130,000 square feet to 85,000. Golfers
will notice a number of bunkers have been
eliminated, some have been moved and others
added. More than 600 trees, bushes and shrubs
have been taken out.
“I don’t think the great player is going to
come out here and find this to be any easier,”
George says. “I think the average player
is going to have a much more enjoyable
round. This golf course was extraordinarily
hard for the average player (before the
renovation), especially if the average player
got on the wrong tee.”
What else is new? The upper practice tee
features a high quality range mat that runs
the entire width of the tee. It will be perfect
for winter use and for outings. The traditional
beverage cart has been replaced by a Lexus
CT hybrid player assistance vehicle.
Not to be overlooked is a clubhouse
expansion that features two restaurants,
more space for weddings, receptions and
business conferences, and a concert stage that
overlooks the practice facility that can be used
for multiple purposes.
What’s it going to cost to play? The
model is in place, but specific prices won’t be
determined until closer to opening.
“There are peak times people want to
play and there’s off-peak times. Within both
of those, we have a prime time and an off
prime time,” Breed says. “We will have four
prices. The Saturday 9 a.m. price point was
$75 when we closed. When we open, our
prime time peak price will be around $80.
For that you get a cart with GPS, range
balls and water. It’ll be the same price if you
walk or ride. If you decide to walk, we’ll give
you a SkyCaddie with only Independence
data on it.
“We’re trying to make a country club for
a day experience. We’re not going to do a lot
of the popular discounting that goes on. We
think we’ve got a property that we’ve put
a lot of work into and that we have a loyal
fan base that is expecting a certain level.
Hopefully, people will agree it’s worth what
we’re putting out.”
A longtime sportswriter for the Richmond
Times-Dispatch, author Arthur Utley is a
regular contributor to Virginia Golfer.

w w w. v s g a . o r g

FILE PHOTO

D

ramatic changes await
golfers when Independence
Golf Club in Midlothian
reopens this fall.
The facelift of the
12-year-old facility’s 18-hole
championship layout originally designed by
Tom Fazio began in mid-May. An overhaul
of the course’s bunkers, the regrassed fairways
highlighted by new mowing patterns and
new putting surfaces has created a noticeable
“wow” factor.
“It’s going to be a visually stunning golf
course in my opinion,” says golf course
designer Lester George, who guided the
project along with course superintendent
Dan Taylor. “When owners give you a free
palate, you need to take advantage of it.
The course is aesthetically pleasing and
strategically interesting.”
Pros Inc., a Richmond-based sports
marketing firm led by president and CEO
Giff Breed, acquired Independence in
October 2013 from what was then known
as the non-profit Virginia State Golf
Association F