Work has begun on the $613,710 renovation of all 18 greens at the Pines Course of the Fort Walton Beach Golf Club, with completion expected by September.
- Crews from King Villages Landscaping & Golf Construction Inc. started the project last week on the course, which was built in 1961 as the first of the club’s two 18-hole layouts.
Golf Course Maintenance Manager Richie Edwards said the renovation addresses longstanding issues with the putting surfaces.
“Over the years, the greens have accumulated five or six different species of grass, called ‘off-types,’ which all have different characteristics. This makes putting on the greens less predictable, and maintenance more challenging,” Edwards said.
The inconsistent surfaces affect play quality, according to Edwards.
- “When you putt and your ball is running nice and straight, and then all of a sudden it pulls over here and then it pulls over that way, that’s because it’s running through different types of grass,” he explained.
The renovation process involves removing all existing grass and organic material to a depth of 4 to 6 inches. Workers will then add new soil and fumigate the area to eliminate any remaining plant material.
In May, crews will begin sprigging the greens with TifEagle, a Bermudagrass variety specifically developed for golf greens. Weather permitting, the new surfaces should be ready for play by September.
During construction, the Pines Course will have temporary greens and be limited to golf club members only to reduce foot and cart traffic impact. The Oaks Course will continue normal operations without changes.
The project is primarily funded through $584,000 from Okaloosa County’s Tourist Development Tax, collected on short-term rentals and designated for tourism-related amenities. An additional $29,710 comes from the county’s voter-approved half-cent surtax fund for infrastructure projects.
