An Established, Indispensable Club for Members
SAVANNAH, GEORGIA: The Landings Golf & Athletic Club is a $75 million business with 600 employees. It’s a big, brawny operation that operates like a small town but is fiscally conservative. Over the past six years, $46 million has been invested in attracting, engaging, and retaining new and existing members.
“Our six golf courses and soon-to-open putting course are the cornerstone of the community,” explained Gary Lorfano, director of membership. “Over the past decade, all of our golf facilities have been touched. As we celebrate our golden jubilee, we understand the importance of maintaining best-in-class amenities. As you know, greens and fairways have a lifecycle that requires vigilance. What many don’t realize is that even bunker sand requires replacement every 5-7 years. If you don’t have a comprehensive plan for renewal, all of a sudden, you realize everything needs replacement at once! Forethought is required, even for mundane items. Over the last several years, we have replaced the roofs on all of our buildings. It seems inconsequential, but it was a proactive investment.”
Oakridge is the latest course to receive a significant shot in the arm. The Club’s Green Committee approved a restoration budget of $5.1 million. The project team provides a weekly video in a series called “Truck Talks” on the status of the improvements being made. There are a lot of moving parts, including fickle weather, but the project is projected to be on time and on budget.
By the Numbers
The Landings Golf & Athletic Club features a variety of golf amenities beyond six golf courses, including the Golf Performance Center. The Golf Performance Center has industry-leading technology that the Golf Coaching Team uses to help members of all experience levels perfect their game. This 3,000 square foot facility features six hitting bays, demo inventory with advanced fitting technology, golf club repair, an outdoor veranda, and retail space. Fitted with the latest Swing Catalyst technology, the Golf Coaching Team uses dual plate sensors and multiple cameras to analyze every angle and smallest detail of a golfer’s swing for data-driven lessons.
Even God Rested on the 7th Day
There is an ongoing debate on how far you can push the envelope on a renovation before you have crossed the line and can no longer use the original golf course architect’s name.
“Hours upon hours have been spent discussing the very subject,” reported Scott Justman, director of golf operations at The Landings. “That’s why we prefer the term restoration versus renovation. All six of our courses are beloved by our membership, and we wanted to keep the original design principles in place. But Father Time takes its toll on drainage and cart paths [there are more than 30 miles of paved paths on the property]. As we prepare for the reopening of the Oakridge Course, the excitement is palpable.”
For information on membership, visit LandingsClub.com.