Historic Bowden Golf Course began its $340,000 greens renovations and upgrades project on Monday, April 9, thanks to the Commission and the voter-approved Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST). The project includes a complete renovation of the greens and tees, and most of the bunkers. The Course will have a much more consistent putting surface, and many of the current problems (bare spots, drainage, etc.) will be addressed.

The grand re-opening of the course is expected sometime near July 4, 2018. For the first part of the project, 9 holes will be closed and reshaping will begin; after those first 9 are reshaped, the driving range and the other 9 will be closed down. Once the second 9 holes are closed, then the entire course will be shut down for the duration of the project. The project timeline is dependent, in part, on the weather, and Brandon Doles, General Manager of Golf for the Course, would like to reopen to golfers before the grand re-opening in July.

A public information session was held in the Clubhouse on March 12. Staff and partners presented to golfers and other interested parties about the changes they can expect to see, what the estimated timeline for the project will be, and how this will improve the overall golfing experience. It was also a chance for people to ask questions and provide ideas.