Highland Country Club in Fayetteville, NC

Donald Ross provided the “General Plan” of Highland Country Club in December 1945.  J. B. McGovern was the project manager during construction of Highland.  The greens were re-grassed around 1990 with Penncross.  They were amended with a few inches of greens mix tilled in.  At that time the fourth green was moved back to its present location and newly constructed.  Those were the only changes to Highland by the time I was hired to develop a Renovation Business Plan in 2005.

My plan was created with the detailed study and reference of Donald Ross' General Plan, detailed construction drawings, and aerial photography from 1951.  Over the years, age and technological progress have slowly deteriorated the golf course to the point where an update is needed to bring conditions up to the standards more widely accepted in 2008.  The purpose of this Renovation Business Plan is to unify the membership with a common vision for Highland Country Club regarding design, maintenance, and operations.  

It is my intention to restore Highland Country Club back to the original design work of Donald Ross in his routing and subsequent construction drawings.  RMGA will make every effort in restoration to adjust for today's golf playing equipment, maintenance and agronomic requirements, current property lines, and other factors beyond our control.  We have made concessions in this regard concerning slopes and other details in order to provide accepted maintenance conditions for 2008, and not 1945 or 1951.  Each golf hole was analyzed for today's playing conditions and equipment improvements and how these elements affect the original design intent for the golf course.  

I reviewed the Ross plans and aerial photography to uncover what original Ross features were implemented during construction and how these features can properly be implemented into today’s golf course.  Upon review of additional studies by the Carolinas Golf Course Superintendents Association and the USGA, detailed site meetings and course walk-throughs with membership and staff, and review of other information sources, RMGA evaluated the course design, construction, maintenance and conditioning, infrastructure, and cultural practices relative to the following:

1.    The needs and expectations of the golfing membership at Highland  CC.
2.    Ongoing and future operations and maintenance budget requirements.
3.    Modern architectural and environmental practices.  
4.    The Club’s Donald Ross heritage and historical significance.

The resources required to achieve this vision were identified based upon the details of the plan and have been distributed in the most logical, cost-conscious, and efficient manner for the membership.  The Renovation Business Plan minimized wasteful spending and eliminated quick fixes which are better addressed as part of an overall approach.  In 2007, I completed preliminary construction documents for the project which included converting Ross’s original detailed drawings into biddable, buildable, construction drawings.  Three contractors have bid on the work at Highland and the membership is currently developing a financial plan to move forward with construction of all the greens, tees, and hazards.