The Lonnie Poole Golf Course is expanding and improving its practice areas thanks to receiving additional acreage near the Carol Johnson Poole Clubhouse parking lot (and Main Campus Drive) and the Turf Care Maintenance Facility. These acquisitions have initiated two exciting projects that will benefit customers as well as the NC State golf teams.
New Putting Green/Chipping Green Enhancements
The first initiative is to re-envision the public practice area adjacent to the clubhouse and parking lot as well as develop a master plan for future improvements. The first project will greatly expand the putting and chipping practice area, building around the existing practice putting green near the clubhouse. Funding has been allocated for this project, and the golf course has engaged Brandon Johnson – one of the original golf course design collaborators with Arnold Palmer and an NC State graduate – to lead the development.
between holes #2 and #3
Short Game Area Between Holes #2 and #3
The second initiative is to create the first phase of a comprehensive practice area for the NC State golf teams between holes #2 and #3. One of the original goals for the course was to provide a home course and practice facility for the golf teams, but the current practice area at the University Club off Hillsborough Street has been impacted by the I-440 project, and the travel time to and from the University Club negatively impacts the student-athlete schedule.
To that end, NC State Athletics and the Wolfpack Club raised funds to construct the first phase of this practice area, which started in June 2023 and is expected to be playable by the golf teams in late September. Future phases will involve more space surrounding this area.
NC State Athletics has committed to fund the additional maintenance and management costs of this new and improved practice area. At this time, use of this area is limited to the NC State golf teams and their invited guests, as well as the golf course professional staff.
The renovations will impact the availability of chipping facilities for golfers who are not affiliated with the golf teams and professional staff for the short term.