- November 22, 2024
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Six months after the grand opening of the restored Donald Ross course at Bobby Jones Golf Club, what could be called the Richard Mandell par-3 course has opened across Circus Boulevard.
Mandell’s seven-year odyssey culminated in the completed restoration of the city-owned original 1926 18-hole Donald Ross layout and the creation of an adjoining wetlands and nature preserve in late 2023. All that remained was finishing the Gillespie Course, a companion “adjustable” par 3 that replaced the prior short course on that site.
Adjustable in that it can be played in a variety of configurations — Mandell has come up with six so far — but in reality may only be set up in two routes, perhaps a third, that will provide golfers a variety.
For the Pinehurst, North Carolina-based golf course architect who also specializes in Donald Ross restorations, the opportunity to create the adjustable Gillespie Course was a unique experience.
“I've done short courses before, but never did the adjustable idea before,” said Mandell, who played the first round on the par-27 course the Wednesday before it opened to the public on June 1.
“I shot a 31, so I had the course record until Saturday,” he said.
That score included a double bogey, demonstrating a challenge even for low-handicappers.
With all grass other than the greens maintained at the same height throughout the property, anywhere can be a teeing area, accommodating the adjustable routing concept. Mandell said the nine holes can effectively be 33 different holes depending on the routing.
The course is easily walkable, but carts are allowed. There are also complimentary push carts available, and among the merchandise for sale in the Gillespie starter building are “Sunday bags” that can hold six clubs, all that is needed for the course that ranges in hole lengths from about 70 yards to 180 yards.
“Just on length alone it brings older golfers who don't want to play a full golf course and it brings golfers who don't have the time for a full 18-hole course,” Mandell said. "But what’s important is that it’s fun and enjoyable for all, and I think the expert golfer will find it very compelling and visually stimulating.
“A lot of short courses lack the detail work that's in the Gillespie course. I don't care if it's a short course or a championship course, the details need to be on there.”
The grow-in period for the Gillespie Course was nearly devoid of the typical local rainfall, and although not as lush and green as the Troon Golf management team would like, the decision was made to open for play.
So far, so good, said Bobby Jones Golf Club General Manager John Sparrow.
“We're seeing a little bit of everything out there,” Sparrow said after opening weekend. “There are a lot of juniors playing with parents, seniors looking for just a quick round of golf. We had the night golf event that had a lot of couples out there. It was a good time.”
Like the Ross Course, the Gillespie Course can be booked by phone or online under the dynamic pricing model, which sets the fee based on demand at the time of booking. But that's not the only way to get out there.
“We're trying to have golfers book tee times online or over the phone, but we’re noticing that it's going to be more of a walk up and play situation,” Sparrow said.
The fee model, which rises and falls from a median figure based on demand, is performing as anticipated, according to Sparrow. That means on average rates are neither significantly higher than the target range nor significantly lower.
From December through May, he said the course has hosted approximately 29,000 rounds.
That’s on pace to exceed the goal of 56,000 first-year rounds, depending on how summer heat and rains impact volume.
“We'll see how the summer goes,” Sparrow said. “We don't know what we don't know. There's no historical data of how the golf course is going to do, but it’s exceeding I think everyone's expectations.”
As for fees on the Gillespie Course, a random sampling of available tee times on June 7 was $30 per player. City residents receive a 40% discount on posted rates. Complete details, including registering with the facility as a city resident, are available at bobbyjonesgolfclub.com.
