Candler Hills Golf Club Reopens After Extensive Six-Month Renovation

After six months of hard work, dedication, and turf science, Candler Hills Golf Club has officially reopened to members and guests, revealing a fully refreshed championship course. The project, led by Director of Community Maintenance Operations Andrew Jorgensen, CGCS, and Mark Clayton, marks the club’s first complete renovation in two decades.

“It’s been a hell of a six months,” said Clayton. “But our renovation is done, the course is open, and maybe now I can get back to a regular life.”

The transformation began in May with the 2025 Renovation Celebration Tournament, followed by the first rounds of construction work that included new tee boxes, bunker reconfiguration, and turf removal. “We’re burning down the house,” Clayton joked in a May 20 update, “and adding some new tee boxes. Reno 2025 is in full effect.”

By early June, construction was fully underway. Greens were being dug out, bunkers reshaped, and new irrigation lines installed. “We have the first green ready for sprigs,” Clayton announced on June 14. Just five days later, he reported that the first 100,000 square feet of new turf was going down, followed soon after by bunker sand deliveries and fresh plantings.

July brought major milestones. “For the first time in 20 years, we’re refreshing the entire course—tees, fairways, and greens—with premium TifWay and TifEagle Bermudagrass,” Clayton shared. The choice of turf, both developed by the University of Georgia, was critical. TifWay 419 was installed on tees, fairways, and roughs for its durability and quick recovery, while TifEagle, an ultra-dwarf variety, was selected for putting greens to ensure smooth, fast play.

Progress accelerated as crews worked long days in the Florida heat. “Thirty-three hours of watering in the last three days,” Clayton noted on July 13. Within a week, mowing began on newly sprigged greens and collars, and by mid-July, tees and fairways were being planted. “Almost full coverage,” he reported on July 27. “Greens are coming along nicely.”

Throughout the project, Clayton’s updates reflected a mix of humor and pride. “Aaaahhhh, nothing like the smell of sludge and Command,” he wrote. “Smells like growth.” In another post, he added, “It’s funny—after six months of no one on the golf course, it’s hard to remember that there are people on the golf course now.”

August brought fine-tuning. Partnering with Brian “TurfBeard” Grill of Vereens Turf Products, the team implemented a custom fertilizer program tailored to the new grass varieties. “When beard meets beard,” Clayton wrote, celebrating the collaboration. By late summer, the greens were smooth, dense, and nearly ready for play.

“Even the coyotes are enjoying it,” Clayton joked as the grow-in progressed.

By September, the course was nearly complete. “Greens are looking good!” he reported in late September, with mowing, rolling, and fine grooming now on schedule.

On October 27, Candler Hills Golf Club announced a Member Appreciation Day Tournament to celebrate the community’s patience and support throughout the renovation.

Finally, on November 7, came the big announcement: “The wait is over—Candler Hills Golf Club reopened November 10th!”

The course, originally designed by renowned architect Gordon Lewis of Naples, Florida, opened in 2005 and remains a par-72 semi-private championship layout with seven sets of tees ranging from 4,877 to 7,333 yards. Known for its picturesque scenery and challenging play, Candler Hills is home to the Ocala Open and features a fully stocked golf shop, PGA and LPGA instruction, and a state-of-the-art practice facility.

“Whatever your reason for choosing Candler Hills Golf Club—a round of golf, a tournament, instruction, or a social get-together at the restaurant—our number one priority is to make your experience exceptional,” said Jorgensen. “We’re grateful to our members and proud of the course we’re bringing back to them.”

As play resumes, the message from the Candler Hills team is simple: it’s the same course members love—now bolder, smoother, and built for their best game yet.