New short game area, reimagined ninth hole punctuate changes to course

Charlotte, NC – Invited, the worldwide leader in private clubs and formerly known as ClubCorp, is pleased to announce the grand opening of the renovated golf course at Firethorne Country Club on Tuesday, May 9 from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The club invested in a significant renovation project for the ninth hole, as well as the creation of a new short game practice area.

The grand opening of the reimagined ninth hole and short game area will feature a collection of contests and clinics for members to participate in, including one where the winner will earn the right to hit the inaugural chip shop in the new practice area. Additionally, there will be a DJ, food stations, beer and wine, a balloon artist and games for children to enhance the experience for members and celebrate a new chapter for the club.

“Our primary focus is on providing an unrivaled experience for our members, and the renovations to the golf course will enable us to deliver on that promise by offering a challenging, but fair hole and new practice area,” said Josh Anderson, general manager of Firethorne Country Club. “We’re excited to unveil this transformative golf experience to our membership through a fun-filled event that celebrates our commitment to continuing excellence.”

Lanny Wadkins, who won 21 times on the PGA TOUR and captured the 1977 PGA Championship, consulted with the club for the renovations at the ninth hole and the creation of the short game area.

The ninth hole had been one of the course’s more formidable tests as a 516-yard par five, featuring a challenging tee shot with bunkers and water lining the right side of the fairway. The reimagined hole has been converted to a 440-yard par four as the green has been moved 75 yards toward the tee with new bunkers installed to add an element of risk to any approach shot.

The tee box area has been leveled with its footprint expanded and rebuilt with new grass, while the fairway was widened and fashioned into a concave shape that is more receptive to tee shots. The bunkers on the right have been removed, making for a more inviting tee shot.

The former ninth hole green has been transformed to a short game practice area, allowing for pitch shots from up to 75 yards, as well as opportunities for members to work on both short and medium length bunker shots.

For club membership information, please contact Katie Robinson, Membership Director at Invited, at 704.727.7715.

Additional resources:

• Video detailing the renovations
• Renovation photos

About Invited
Since its founding in 1957, Dallas-based Invited has operated with the central purpose of Building Relationships and Enriching Lives®. The leading owner-operator of private golf and country clubs, city and stadium clubs in North America, Invited is relentless in its pursuit of providing extraordinary experiences, meaningful connections, shared passions, and memorable moments for its more than 414,000 members. With approximately 17,000 peak-season employees and a portfolio of over 200 owned or operated golf and country clubs, city clubs, sports clubs, and stadium clubs in 27 states, the District of Columbia, and two foreign countries, Invited creates communities and a lifestyle through its championship golf courses, workspaces, handcrafted cuisine, resort-style pools, tennis facilities, golf lounges, fitness centers, and robust programming.

Invited properties include Firestone Country Club (Akron, Ohio); Mission Hills Country Club (Rancho Mirage, California); The Woodlands Country Club (The Woodlands, Texas); and The Metropolitan. You can find on Facebook at facebook.com/clubcorp and on Twitter at @ClubCorp.