Asheville Muni-Post Flood

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By John M

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  • 10 Replies
  1. John M

    John M
    Asheville, North Carolina

    Military

    The photo here is of the front 9 of the Asheville Municipal Golf Course, a Donald Ross design built in 1927. As most of you reading this know, western North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee was hit by Hurricane Helene. In the scheme of things, the rebuilding of a golf course pales in comparison to the devastation of lost lives and homes. However, for many golfers in Asheville, this is our home and we are naturally shocked at the state of our course. On the plus side, the back nine lost many trees but there was no damage to the course and thankfully, we may reopen sometime in November. The estimated cost to rebuild the front 9 will be between $ 3-5 million dollars and will take 2-3 years to complete. Should anyone wish to help with the rebuilding of Asheville Muni, you can contact:

    Friends of Asheville Muni 226 Fairway Drive Asheville, NC 28805

    JOHN MATNEY Friends of Asheville Muni Board Secretary

    Post Image
  2. Abdon M

    Abdon M
    Northern California (because it's a big state)

    Healing and rebuilding are two aspects of recovery when you experience this type of devastation. I hope you and your family is well.
  3. Don O

    Don O
    Madison, WI

    Besides being a Ross design course, it is of historical note as his first muni, and as an important site for black golfers prior to integration in the PGA. I had a chance to play it unfortunately after the last flood of the front nine. I have relatives in the area and was hoping to see it again after the recent efforts to revitalize it. At the time the fairways were weeds and the 10th hole suffered from erosion. The rest of the back nine showed the promise missing up to then.
    I will add this fund to my 2025 donations. Hope you are successful. Maybe even some levee to hold back most of the flooding.
  4. Don O

    Don O
    Madison, WI

    As an addendum, there are multiple Donald Ross courses under pressure. When traveling for work, I would seek out the lesser known Ross courses. Great Southern in Biloxi was a course on a southern PGA rotation through the 50’s. I was in the area a few years after Katrina. There were still vacant properties all along the coast for several hundred yards inland. The course’s clubhouse had been destroyed and the temporary single wide trailer was going to be replaced by a new clubhouse being constructed. The course was still underfunded with less than ideal turf conditions.
    A couple of years later it was closed to be replaced by vacation housing. Hoping Asheville can survive.
  5. Chris92009

    Chris92009
    Ohio

    Wow!
  6. John M

    John M
    Asheville, North Carolina

    Military
    Update. The City has informed the Friends of Asheville Muni Board that the 7th and 8th holes will be used for a waste dump. The City also stated that it will take 2-3 years to rebuild the Front 9. The back 9 should be open for play in November.
  7. Don O

    Don O
    Madison, WI

    Well, that’s better than a threat to close it. Hopefully the design won’t be lost under the refuse.
  8. John M

    John M
    Asheville, North Carolina

    Military
    Yes. It will be an interesting couple of years. I'll be traveling more often to play.
  9. Dr. Kovatchian

    Dr. Kovatchian
    Carlsbad

    Total Insanity in the WNC!
    We lived in Biltmore Lake from 2014 to 2017.
    I played the Muni a thousand times!
    Loved the course and the community...the locals will and always be considered good friends.
    It's been rough seeing all the images of the destruction.

    John- Do you happen to have any details on other courses and their condition?
    Biltmore Forest CC & Grove Park Inn?

    Also - Would love to know if CY is still around the Muni?


    Thanks,
    Dr. K

  10. John M

    John M
    Asheville, North Carolina

    Military
    Grove Park Inn and Biltmore Forest should be open in November. Maggie Valley and Reems are open.

    Sadly, CY passed last year from kidney failure. Eb passed earlier this year from prostate cancer.
  11. Dr. Kovatchian

    Dr. Kovatchian
    Carlsbad

    John M said:

    Grove Park Inn and Biltmore Forest should be open in November. Maggie Valley and Reems are open.

    Sadly, CY passed last year from kidney failure. Eb passed earlier this year from prostate cancer.

    God bless those men!!!
    Both were treasures!!!

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