Morris Williams is scheduled to hold its official opening February 1st, assuming all goes well with the finishing touches on the clubhouse. A delay of a week or two is not beyond the realm of possibilities. A "soft" opening a week or so before that is also possible, again dependent upon construction progress.
Beth Cleckler and the staff who were originally at Morris Williams before the renovation will be returning to Morris Williams with the opening of the course. Steve Hammond, currently responsible for the Jimmy Clay/Roy Kizer courses will add Lions Municipal to his portfolio of responsibilities and Eric Lopez, who is currently an assistant pro at Clay, will move to Lions Municipal to conduct the day to day operations there. Hammond will split his time between the two locations.
The Here is a link to a photo album of a few shots taken late this summer by Jep Wille, consultant to the rennovation project. There are also photos available at the Austin Public Links Facebook page located at this link.
Just a few points about the Morris Williams Rennovation.
- All green complexes have been redesigned and completely rebuilt, and in some cases relocated
- Green surfaces are dwarf tiff
- Fairways have been replanted and resodded with 419 bermuda
- Fairways have been re-contoured and shaped
- #13 has a split fairway
- The clubhouse has been completely rebuilt with the cart storage under the clubhouse.
- The pro shop has been enlarged and completely redone with some nice touches
- The putting green has been enlarged and located on the course side of the clubhouse
- Irrigation system has been rennovated and the number of sprinkler heads doubled
- The driving range has been completely redone with better targets and better matts
- The second story of the clubhouse will include outside decks with furniture that will allow players to watch action on the course, the driving range and the putting green
- Drainage in troublesome areas has been improved
Reports from players who have gone out and walked the course are very positive. Everyone is excited about seeing the course and looking forward to playing it.
