Naval Academy Considering Golf Course Improvements

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) -- The Naval Academy is considering more than $6 million in renovations to the Naval Academy Golf Club,  including improvements to the course's irrigation system, grass and practice areas.

The Capital of Annapolis reports the academy is looking at a plan that proposes $4.6 million in improvements to the golf course, which was designed in 1944 and serves about 600 members and their spouses. The plan proposes another $1.9 million in improvements to practice areas and would close the course for four months in 2014.

Chet Gladchuk, the academy's athletic director, says the plan is a "fairly speculative vision." Part of the academy's 2020 Strategic Plan was to take a look at upgrades to the golf course. As a result, earlier this year, the academy commissioned Jessup-based McDonald Golf Inc. to review a golf course restoration plan that had been completed in 2007. McDonald Golf Inc. delivered a 44-page revised plan to academy officials two weeks ago.

"We're in the midst of evaluating it right now to see if any dimension of it could be feasible or affordable," said Gladchuk, who has been the athletic director since 2001.

Part of the plan includes a $655,000 reconstruction of the course's greens including a new hybrid Bermuda grass on the course's fairways and a new generation of so-called "bentgrass" on the greens.

The course serves the Naval Academy golf team, midshipmen, faculty and staff, as well as active duty and retired military personnel.

Gladchuk said if any work is approved, it will be handled by the Naval Academy Foundation in conjunction with Naval Academy Golf Association.

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