The Golf Club at South Hampton's ownership would like everyone to meet Wally and Carol.
They're part of the changes at the Jacksonville, Florida, area club as it nears the end of its four-month, $2 million renovation project, with an opening scheduled for late September or early October.
Part of the changes are a new club logo that will adorn merchandise and pin flags, which will be silver, gold and teal to denote the hole location ― the teal a nod to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Prominently featured on the logo is a 10-point buck named "Wally" and a hawk sitting on top of Wally's head named "Carol." The logo has a double meaning: to represent the wildlife that frequents the course and to honor the founders of DWA Golf, Wally and Carol DiStefano,
whose sons Derek and Willy are the managing partners of the company that bought South Hampton in 2012.
And it's looking greener than ever, with changes mostly to the greens complexes and bunkering that still maintain the architectural integrity of the 1998 Mark McCumber design. Derek DiStefano said the changes have taken a course known for its playability and diverse holes and made it even more player-friendly.
"We think this is going to be one of the best courses in the area for the average golfer, and one of the most fun," he said.
It also will be fun after the round, with changes made to the clubhouse and The Grille at South Hampton.
MacCurrach Golf Construction did the heavy work, and DiStefano said working with the long-time area company was a matter of "two minds that really clicked well."
Most of the greens have been lowered between 12 and 18 inches, and bunker lips and faces softened. The modifications are the most noticeable, for example, at the first, third, eighth and 10th greens. All of the greens have been re-grassed with TifEagle Bermuda.
The bank bunker at the ninth hole has been brought down four feet, and the severity of the left bunker at No. 10 has been reduced.
Changes to the finishing holes include dropping the bunker in front of the 17th green and enlarging the narrow putting surface to offer more hole locations and putting in a false front at the 18th green, which has been moved forward to allow for more sunlight. In addition, a berm has been added at No. 18 to hide the parking lot.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: North Florida golf club nears reopening after $2 million renovation project
