(Dataw Island, S.C.) − Representatives of Dataw Island Club have announced a $5.4 million renovation project of the Cotton Dike and Morgan River golf courses within the private, gated community located near the antebellum town of Beaufort, S.C. The decision to renovate the golf courses was made by a vote of the golf membership. The renovations are set to begin on the Cotton Dike course on April 1. Billy Fuller Golf Course Design from Atlanta, Ga. is overseeing the renovation project and A.S. Altum and Associates is overseeing the irrigation design work. TDI Golf will be responsible for the feature construction of greens and bunkers while All Green Irrigation has been awarded the irrigation installation contract.

“This is something the membership at Dataw Island has been considering for quite awhile,” said Ted Bartlett, general manager and chief operating officer of the Dataw Island Club. “Our golf courses are already outstanding, but these renovations will simply enhance what we have and improve some of the natural features and playability for our members and guests.”

The renovations include: irrigation replacement on both golf courses; straightening and repair of cart paths; core out and re-contouring of 17 greens on the Cotton Dike course; core out and re-contouring of 3 greens on the Morgan River course and no-tilling the remaining greens; re-grassing of all greens, including the putting green and chipping areas near Clubhouse with miniverde ultradwarf from Bermuda; improve all bunkering on both courses with new drainage, sand and contouring; lake bank restoration in numerous areas; tree pruning on both courses to allow more sunlight on fairways and greens; all teeing areas replaced with Zoysia grass; and golf cart parking improvements at the driving range.

The renovations will begin on the Tom Fazio-designed Cotton Dike course on April 1, then proceed to the Arthur Hills-designed Morgan River course. The 36-hole renovation is expected to take 18 months to complete. The Morgan River portion of the project is scheduled to begin in April 2012 and will be reopened for play in September.

Billy Fuller launched a golf design company in 2004 after 15 years as a golf course superintendent at several top golf courses in the Southeast, including five years at Augusta National Golf Club. Fuller has completed eight major renovations of prestigious golf courses across the country and his work has been praised by Golfweek, the LPGA Tour and Sports Illustrated.

“It’s a great privilege and honor to work with Dataw Island Club through the renovation of Cotton Dike and Morgan River,” said Fuller. “Our intent is to bring the course specifications and strategy to par with modern golf standards and ensure the club remains competitive with the marketplace for the next twenty to thirty years.”

Dataw Island
Located just east of the historic waterfront town of Beaufort, South Carolina in the heart of the Sea Islands, buyers at this secluded gated community gain privileged access to a pair of magnificent golf courses designed by Tom Fazio and Arthur Hills, exceptional club facilities, a full service marina and unmatched recreational boating. Lots begin at $35,000, with finely crafted homes and villas priced from $200,000 to $3 million.

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