Asheville Municipal Golf Course has seen significant improvements over the last two years under new operators, with capital investments in restoring fairways, bunkers, cart paths, and greens. However, the course experienced devastating damage from Tropical Storm Helene, with the Swannanoa River overflowing and inundating the front nine holes. The stormwater pulled the course apart from below, leaving downed trees, debris, powerlines, and silt behind. The estimated cost for repairs is around $7 million.
The historic Donald Ross-designed Asheville Municipal Golf Course, known as “Muni,” is the last affordable public fee course in Asheville and home to the Skyview Golf Tournament, the longest-running professional tournament owned and operated by Black residents in the country. The front nine holes sustained significant damage from the storm, resulting in one-third to half of the overall work being undone. This left the course unrecognizable, with trees down, buildings swept away, and cart paths moved.
The back nine holes were less affected and reopened for play on October 28, providing a sharp contrast between the lush green of the open holes and the desolation of the front nine. Regular golfers, like Phil Miles, returned to the course after the storm, expressing shock at the “incredible, incredible damage” that had occurred. Trees, buildings, and cart paths were displaced by the raging river, creating new channels and depositing massive amounts of debris across the course.
The damage to the front nine was so extensive that it was approved as a temporary debris processing site by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality. However, following community pushback, the site is only to be used if needed, with alternative debris sites being utilized. The city reassured residents that no debris had been brought to the golf course as of November 1, addressing concerns about additional disruption to the course.
As of now, there is no set timeline for repairs to the Asheville Municipal Golf Course. The city is working with a contractor hired to navigate the FEMA funding process and determine how to address any funding gaps. Chris Corl, who oversees the course, urged the community to be patient as they work through the recovery process. With many areas of the city affected by the storm, patience and grace are essential in rebuilding the beloved golf course.
The devastating impact of Tropical Storm Helene on the Asheville Municipal Golf Course has left a lasting impression on the community, with regular golfers like Phil Miles mourning the loss of a place they called home. The destruction of trees, buildings, and infrastructure has transformed the familiar landscape into a scene of devastation, requiring significant resources and time to restore. Despite the challenges ahead, there is hope for the future as efforts are underway to repair and rebuild the historic course for future generations to enjoy.
