Ironwood Golf Course, located in Gainesville, Florida, re-opened for play on November 1, 2010. The par 72, 6,607-yard public course underwent an extensive renovation this past summer under the direction of golf course architect, Michael Beebe, ASGCA of Palm Coast, Florida.

The City of Gainesville has owned the golf course since 1992 with a mission of providing affordable public golf for Gainesville and Alachua County golfers. The renovation improvements included new greens, tees, bunkers, irrigation, extensive fairway drainage, cart path repair and selective tree removal. According to Beebe, “my goal at Ironwood was to improve the infrastructure of the course by using the latest technology in turf grasses, greens construction, drainage and irrigation. Additionally, improved strategic principles are now accompanied by a classical look that fits favorably with the overall aesthetics of the golf course. The improvements were designed with an emphasis on making the golf course more playable for a wider range of golfers including women, seniors, high handicappers and beginners. There is ample interest and challenge for the better golfers while still being very user-friendly for everyone else. I continue to be passionate about affordable, fun public golf that attracts new golfers. At the same time, I’m excited for the long-time supporters of Ironwood who have waited patiently for these needed improvements. I think they will be pleased.”

Other team members who worked on the project include the golf course contractor, MacCurrach Golf Construction of Jacksonville, Florida; the irrigation consultant, Aqua Turf International of Jupiter, Florida; and the engineer, Causseaux, Hewett & Walpole of Gainesville, Florida.