In The Press...
 Release:  Redesign & Renovation of CC of Spartanburg is Complete
Release:  Spence Opens Lake Toxaway
GolfWeek May 2008 - Bradley Klein - Ross Restorations (PDF)
CGA May 2008 - Spence Lands New Projects (PDF)

Wyndham Championship -- Most Improved Event

Despite the challenges of moving to a new course, the Wyndham Championship put on a first-class presentation for players, spectators and sponsors. Players heaped praise on the Donald Ross-designed Sedgefield Country Club and spectators were treated to convenient parking, improved on-site experiences and enhanced fan viewing areas. The title sponsor exposure and product display at the Wyndham Championship was also cited as a top reason for the "Most Improved Event" award.


The 2009 Wyndham Championship, captured last year by Carl Pettersson, will be held August 17-23 at Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro, N.C. 

"It is a real honor to be recognized by the PGA TOUR," said Tournament Director Mark Brazil. "This award is a tribute to a total team effort by the tournaments Board of Directors, committee, staff, sponsors, volunteers and our many fans in the Piedmont Triad region. It is also a reflection of our partnership with Wyndham Worldwide and a bold move to Sedgefield Country Club, which I think is one of the best courses on TOUR."


Runner Up: RBC Canadian Open

What They Are Writing About Kris Spence...

" 'Ross to Spence' may sound like the beginning of a great double-play team, but passionate golfers recognize this as an architectural blending of the ages. Kris Spence appears to be 'the man' to modernize and polish up old Ross courses. In 2007, he morphed Cape Fear Country Club into one reminiscent of the shotmaking requirements of Pinehurst No. 2."
 
- Michael Dann, Carolinas Golf

“I had a mid-afternoon tee time at the Donald Ross-designed Grove Park Inn Golf Course, itself reacquainted with lost youth after a $2.5 million restoration by Greensboro-based architect Kris Spence … What I liked most about the 1924 layout was its use of the site’s natural features, the drama of creeks and abrupt angles to create a constantly fresh shotmaker’s dilemma.”

– James Dobson, Links Magazine

“He loves working with courses built to take advantage of the natural landscape, rediscovering their hidden edges and angles and fitting them to today’s game.”

– Ron Green Jr., Charlotte Observer

“Here’s proof that good restoration brings a course into better shape than ever before. A mediocre Donald Ross routing shoehorned onto 88 acres, then left to rot for years, now stunningly brought back to a life it never knew by Greensboro, N.C.-based course architect Kris Spence.”

­– Bradley S. Klein, Golfweek

“Kris Spence has spent countless hours pouring over original design sketches from Donald Ross and Ellis Maples. He’s consumed numerous books on golf course architecture and can recall the smallest details about Alister MacKenzie’s bunkers and A.W. Tillinghast’s greens.”

– Shane Sharp, Golfdom Magazine

 “Kris Spence has done it again. The renowned golf course architect who worked wonders on the restoration of The Golf Course at Grove Park Inn has just completed a similarly impressive redo of another Donald Ross classic design – Mimosa Hills Country Club.”

– Keith Jarrett, Asheville Citizen-Times

“Spence is creating a name for himself in the restoration of golf courses, particularly those designed by (Donald) Ross and (Ellis) Maples … Spence has studied the masters and is almost reverent in discussing them.”

­– Howard Ward, Golf Record of the Carolinas

“Like the old Scottish master before him, Spence makes no apologies. ‘We’re going to get criticism from certain quarters,’ he says. ‘But this is Donald Ross bunkering. This is the real deal.’ ”

– Trent Bouts, Carolinas Golf

“The work that was carried out by Kris Spence … is as good as I have seen anywhere. I give the restoration an A+.”

– Michael Fay, executive director of the Donald Ross Society

“Kris’ unique approach to design was fostered by his 18 years as a golf course superintendent. He’s been around golf courses his whole life, doing everything from cutting greens to supervising day-to-day maintenance to new construction.”

– Elsa Bonstein, The Brunswick (N.C.) Beacon

“Spence is holding out for a client willing to spend the time and effort to produce a thought-provoking, traditional course that emphasizes brains over brawn. Until then, he is more than content to keep on keeping on with his restoration work.”

– Shane Sharp, TravelGolf.com