Kris Spence and Spence Golf Inc. have commenced a renovation project for the driving range and practice areas at The Country Club of North Carolina (CCNC) in Pinehurst. This undertaking is projected to take between eight to 10 weeks to complete, with Jim Harbin, lead associate at Spence Golf, overseeing the work.
Kris Spence, renowned for his work on classic golf courses across the nation, has prior experience with CCNC, having supervised a renovation of the club’s Dogwood Course in 2016. That course later hosted the 2021 U.S. Junior Amateur. Spence also serves as the club’s architect of record and advisor for the Dogwood Course.
“We are delighted to collaborate with Kris Spence once again, this time to enhance our golf practice facilities,” stated CCNC COO/General Manager Jim Sutton. “This $2 million project was prioritized in our recent strategic plan and represents a substantial investment in the member experience. CCNC is fortunate to have a dedicated golfing community committed to improving their game through quality instruction and practice.”
Sutton added, “Similar to many private clubs, we’ve observed a notable increase in the usage of our practice facilities and the time members spend there, a trend we anticipate will continue. This capital investment will significantly elevate the practice experience for our members and provide enduring benefits for the club.”
Kris Spence highlighted that the primary objectives of the renovation are to improve the safety and functionality of the driving range. “We are addressing infrastructure elements, including agronomy, and we have listened to their challenges. Our goal isn’t to impose a specific aesthetic, except for the short game green.”
Key elements of the renovation include modifications to the size, alignment, and elevation of the practice range, the addition of new target greens, the installation of a higher safety net, an expanded and more versatile short-game area, and a new putting green. The entire facility will be re-turfed with new grass.
Spence identified two main issues during his planning: the practice tee’s orientation was not aligned with the center of the range, and the main practice area deck sloped upwards from back to front. The previous two-level deck will be replaced by a single, larger deck measuring 125,000 square feet (nearly three acres) – a 30% increase over the former structure, which will accommodate eight additional hitting stations.
“We will grade the tee with a one percent slope from back to front to lower the trajectory of balls hit from it, especially drivers,” Spence explained. “We will also rework the fairway, raise low spots, and reorient and shape the target greens.”
To provide members with an authentic practice experience, 40,000 square feet of the tee will feature zoysia grass, matching the Dogwood Course’s fairway, while the remainder will use Bermuda grass, consistent with the Cardinal Course’s fairway.
The new facility will feature four distinct target greens, each ranging from 3,000 to 3,500 square feet with well-defined surrounds. Additionally, two smaller target greens, under 1,000 square feet, will be dedicated to wedge play practice.
The short-game area, including an expanded green designed to “replicate what they are going to play on” and bunkers, will be enlarged by 80%, enhancing its usability, according to Spence.
Following the establishment of the practice range layout, a new safety net will be erected in critical locations. The ends of the practice range will be equipped with synthetic mats for winter use.
During the renovation, CCNC members have been offered access to the practice facilities at Knollwood Fairways in Southern Pines.
The Country Club of North Carolina, established in 1963, is a member-owned private club and gated community spanning 2,000 acres. It boasts long-leaf pines, three lakes, and offers upscale dining, tennis, fitness, swimming, and pickleball amenities. The club’s diverse membership includes local, state, and national golf memberships. CCNC has been a certified member of the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program since 2003.
The Dogwood Course was designed by Ellis Maples and Willard Byrd, while the Cardinal Course, designed by Byrd and Robert Trent Jones Sr., underwent a renovation by Arthur Hills in 2002. The club has hosted three USGA championships: the 1980 U.S. Amateur, the 2010 U.S. Girls’ Junior, and the 2021 U.S. Junior Amateur. CCNC is scheduled to host the 2030 U.S. Senior Amateur Championship and the 2037 U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship, both conducted by the USGA, as well as the 2026 Carolinas Amateur and the 2027 Southern Amateur.
In 2023, the club hosted the Atlantic Coast Conference Men’s Golf Championships, where Georgia Tech secured the victory.
English Translation and Paraphrasing:
Kris Spence and Spence Golf Inc. are commencing a renovation of the driving range and practice facilities at The Country Club of North Carolina in Pinehurst. The project is expected to be completed within eight to 10 weeks, under the guidance of Spence’s lead associate, Jim Harbin.
Spence, known for his expertise in renovating classic golf courses, is familiar with CCNC. He previously oversaw the renovation of the club’s Dogwood Course in 2016, which served as the venue for the 2021 U.S. Junior Amateur won by Nick Dunlap. He holds the position of architect of record and advisor for the Dogwood Course.
“We are pleased to partner with Kris Spence again, this time to enhance our golf practice amenities,” said CCNC COO/General Manager Jim Sutton. “This $2 million project was identified as a high priority in our recent strategic plan and represents a significant investment in the member experience. CCNC is fortunate to have a strong golfing community dedicated to improving their game through quality instruction and practice.”
Sutton continued, “Like many private clubs, we’ve experienced a substantial increase in usage and time spent at our practice facilities, and we anticipate this trend will continue. This capital investment will greatly improve the practice experience for our members and bring lasting benefits to the club.”
Kris Spence stated that the primary focus of the renovation is on the safety and functionality of the range. “We are addressing infrastructure issues, including agronomy, and we’ve listened to their concerns. We are not aiming for a specific design motif, except for the short game green.”
The renovation will involve changes to the size, alignment, and levels of the practice range, the addition of target greens, a higher safety net, an expanded and more accessible short-game area, and a putting green. The entire facility will be re-turfed.
In his planning, Spence identified two key revisions: the aim of the practice tee was not aligned with the center of the range, and the main practice area deck sloped upward from back to front. A new single deck, spanning 125,000 square feet (nearly three acres), will replace the previous two-level deck. This new deck will be 30 percent larger and will include eight additional hitting stations.
“We will tilt that tee one percent from back to front to lower the trajectory of balls hit from it, particularly drivers,” Spence commented. “In the fairway, we will rework the area, raise low spots, and reorient and shape the target greens.”
To provide members with a realistic practice feel, 40,000 square feet of the tee will be sodded with zoysia to match the Dogwood Course’s fairway, while the remaining area will be planted with Bermuda grass, matching the Cardinal Course’s fairway.
The new facility will feature four well-defined target greens, ranging from 3,000 to 3,500 square feet, with distinct surrounds. Additionally, two smaller target greens, each 1,000 square feet or less, will be designated for wedge game practice.
The short-game area, featuring a larger green designed to “replicate what they are going to play on” and bunkers, will expand by 80%, offering “broader usability,” according to Spence.
Once the practice range layout is finalized, a new safety net will be installed in key locations.
Both ends of the practice range will be equipped with synthetic mats for use during the winter months.
During the renovation, CCNC members have been offered the option to use the practice facilities at Knollwood Fairways in Southern Pines.
The Country Club of North Carolina (CCNC), founded in 1963, is a private, member-owned club and gated residential community covering 2,000 acres. It features long-leaf pines, three lakes, and offers upscale dining, tennis, fitness, swimming, and pickleball amenities. The club’s diverse membership includes local, state, and national golf categories. CCNC has been a certified member of the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program since 2003.
The Dogwood Course was designed by Ellis Maples and Willard Byrd, and the Cardinal Course, designed by Byrd and Robert Trent Jones Sr., underwent a renovation by Arthur Hills in 2002. The club has hosted three USGA championships: the 1980 U.S. Amateur, the 2010 U.S. Girls’ Junior, and the 2021 U.S. Junior Amateur. CCNC will also host the 2030 U.S. Senior Amateur Championship and the 2037 U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship, conducted by the USGA, along with the 2026 Carolinas Amateur and the 2027 Southern Amateur.
In 2023, the club hosted the Atlantic Coast Conference Men’s Golf Championships, which were won by national runner-up Georgia Tech.
