Oakridge Golf Course’s New Era Begins: Where Tradition Meets Tomorrow

Oakridge Golf Course has long held a special place in the hearts of members at The Landings Golf & Athletic Club. Now, following a year-long renovation led by architect Bill Bergin, Oakridge enters a new era of elevated play. Opening Day is set for Oct. 22, 2025.

This restoration goes far beyond aesthetics. It’s a strategic investment in the course’s future as a premier golf course in Savannah, Ga., blending modern enhancements with timeless design principles. Oakridge’s transformation reflects the Club’s commitment to excellence, ensuring the courses remain the cornerstone of member experience and community pride. Let’s take a closer look.

Oakridge Golf Course Renovation Highlights

The renovation was a resounding success, resulting in a course that’s more playable, resilient and visually striking.

Key upgrades include:

• Improved drainage in fairways and approaches, especially on holes 6 and 7, which previously struggled with standing water
• Enhanced tee boxes and overall playability
• A new 27,000-square-foot putting and chipping green for short game practice
• Removed bulkheads, reducing long-term maintenance costs
• Hole No. 2 becomes the second bunker-less hole at The Landings (previously on Palmetto). A deceptively simple, yet strategically challenging update
• Hole No. 15 features a widened and flattened upper fairway, new central bunkers, and two new tee complexes overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway
• No. 4 championship tee extended 20 yards
• No. 13 lagoon reshaped and expanded for more challenging play

• Cart path repairs throughout the course, addressing tree root damage and surface crumbling
• New turf types throughout the entire course.

These updates give Oakridge a distinct identity among The Landings’ six championship courses.

“The Oakridge restoration is about bringing the course back to top condition while making smart, modern updates that enhance playability, drainage and the overall golf experience,” said Chris Steigelman, director of Facilities and Projects. “Bill Bergin is modernizing the design in a way that respects Arthur Hills’ original vision while adapting the course to fit today’s game.”

The course also features new Tahoma 31 turf, a darker, more traffic-tolerant grass with reduced winter dormancy. Compared to the previous Celebration turf, Tahoma 31 offers faster greening earlier in the season and improved durability year-round. Every green’s turf has been upgraded to TifEagle offering consistent ball roll in a compelling blend of performance, durability and visual appeal.

History of the Oakridge Golf Course

Oakridge was born from the success of Arthur Hills’ Palmetto course. In 1988, Hills was invited to design a second course for The Landings. The result was Oakridge: a moderately long course with sporty character, shaped by water, marsh, bunkers, and Hills’ signature split-level fairways.

The course also carries a touch of local history. Hole No. 15, known as “the Cemetery,” overlooks Waters Cemetery, a U.S. archaeological site where Alice “Elcy” Waters and her son Thomas are laid to rest. It remains one of the Club’s most iconic and emotionally resonant holes.

Meet the Architect

Keeping history intact, the Oakridge renovation was led by Bill Bergin of Bergin Golf Designs, who also oversaw the successful transformation of the Palmetto course in 2024. Based in Atlanta, Bergin Golf Designs specializes in new builds, renovations, and practice facilities—tailoring each project to maximize strategic value and aesthetic appeal.

Bergin’s design philosophy is rooted in experience. As a former touring professional, teaching pro, and protégé of Bob Cupp, he brings a rare blend of competitive insight and technical expertise. Since founding his firm in 1994, Bergin has earned a reputation for creating courses that challenge elite players while remaining enjoyable for recreational golfers. His greens complexes encourage creativity and recovery, offering golfers the choice to attack or navigate with precision.

During his playing career, Bergin competed in over 250 professional tournaments, including three U.S. Opens and two British Opens. His strategic instincts—shaped on legendary courses like St. Andrews and Pebble Beach—now inform every design decision he makes.

Investment for the Long Term

The Oakridge renovation was a $5 million capital investment that was delivered on time and on budget. Throughout the process, members stayed informed via weekly “Truck Talk” video updates, offering transparency and excitement as the project progressed.

Major capital investments like this are guided by the Strategic Planning Committee, which evaluates Club assets, member feedback, and industry trends.

“Our golf courses are our Club’s cornerstone assets, the platform that builds relationships and creates memories. Our golf courses are the ‘why’ that drives members to move to our community and join our Club,” said Steven Freund, The Landings Golf & Athletic Club Executive Director. “It is vital that we reinvest in them regularly, so they remain relevant, evolve with changes in the game, are well maintained, and are aesthetically pleasing.”

Five More Championship Courses

Six 18-hole private championship Georgia golf courses are available only to members of The Landings Golf & Athletic Club, each one designed by such masters as Arnold Palmer, Tom Fazio, Arthur Hills and Willard C. Byrd.

• Magnolia – designed by Arnold Palmer – renovated in 2021
• Marshwood – designed by Arnold Palmer – redesigned in 2003
• Deer Creek – designed by Tom Fazio – modernized in 2009
• Palmetto – designed by Arthur Hills – renovated in 2023
• Terrapin Point – designed by Williard C. Byrd – renovated in 2004

Set against a stunning backdrop of stately hardwood forests, unspoiled saltwater marshes and pristine tidal creeks, all six golf courses near Savannah, Ga., are designated as “Audubon Cooperative Sanctuaries” by Audubon International, offering challenging play for golfers of all skill levels – all within one cart ride away.

Interested in becoming a member? Inquire here.

Timeline of Oakridge Renovation:

Fall 2024 – Project Kickoff

• Planning begins, permits secured, architect collaboration initiated

January 2025 – Ground Prep

• Erosion control measures and drainage plans implemented

February 2025 – Early Shaping

• Demo, sod stripping, shaping holes 1–5 begins

March 2025 – Infrastructure & Tours

• Oakridge Task Force begins behind-the-scenes tours
• Drainage pipes installed under greens, basins added to fairways
• Irrigation system installed on green surrounds (50-year lifespan)
• Putting green construction begins (27,000 sq ft)

April 2025 – Transition to Back Side

• New putting green 80% larger, fully puttable
• Front ready for grassing
• Back 9 shaping begins (holes 1–9 updates detailed)
• Sod around bunkers/greens begins; sprigs planned for flat areas

May 2025 – Grassing & Storm Resilience

• Sod wrapping, bunker sand
• Grassing front, shaping back

June 2025 – Sprigging Phase

• Greens sprigging begins (certified sprigs, topdressing, watering)
• Greens sprigs mowed to encourage lateral growth
• Concrete bunkers complete
• Sod finished on front
• Fairway sprigging begins
• Greens cut, fertilized
• Final greens sprigged

 July 2025 – Final Turf & Storm Recovery

• All greens sprigged
• Driving range construction begins

August 2025 – Grow-In Phase

• Storm-damage repair
• Driving range nearly finished, grassing phase ends
• 99% construction complete
• 85% turf grown in
• Cart path repairs underway

September 2025 – Final Touches

• Construction company departs
• Turf 99% grown in
• Bunker detailing
• Added finishing pine straw

Mid-October 2025 (weather dependent)

Grand re-opening set for Oct. 22, 2025