Course of the Week: Champion Hills Golf Club’s hurricane recovery
This edition’s course of the week is Champion Hills Golf Club in Hendersonville, N.C. Champion Hills was right in the path of destruction when Hurricane Helene tore through the southeastern United States. The storm’s torrential rains and high winds caused significant damage to the Tom Fazio-designed course, known as one of America’s top 100 residential golf communities.
The immediate priority was the safety of members, staff and neighbors. Once secured, attention turned to restoring the course — a process complicated by widespread regional destruction and a high demand for specialized repair crews. General manager Alan Deck and course superintendent Alan Burnette led the recovery, supported by a resilient board and membership.
Securing Aspen Construction, fresh from work at Augusta National, was pivotal. Aspen, alongside the Fazio Design team, tackled extensive washouts, landslides and creek bank erosion, particularly on holes 11, 15, 16 and 18. The restoration included advanced techniques such as capillary concrete for bunkers and SOX erosion control systems to stabilize creek banks; methods increasingly adopted in the industry to enhance long-term resilience.
The recovery was not without personal cost, however. Superintendent Burnette’s home was damaged by a fallen tree, yet he and his team remained focused on the club’s restoration. Staff like head golf professional Erick Fowler and membership director Heather Myers found creative ways to keep members engaged, even as only portions of the course were playable.
Champion Hills’ members played a crucial role, raising six figures to support employees affected by the storm. Their patience and commitment underscored the community’s understanding that quality restoration takes precedence over speed. This mirrors trends across the golf industry, where clubs increasingly balance immediate repairs with investments in infrastructure that can withstand future extreme weather events.
As of April 1, 2025, 17 holes are open with the 18th expected to follow in early May. The restoration at Champion Hills stands as a model of resilience, collaboration and forward thinking — a reminder that even in the face of natural disasters, strong communities and strategic planning can ensure a swift and sustainable recovery.
Got a course you want to feature? Let us know!
Is your course undergoing some renovations? Did your course recently host a major event or fundraiser? Send it to digital media specialist Will Coughlin at wcoughlin@northcoastmedia.net, and we’ll feature it in an upcoming Course of the Week.
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