The renovation project began when the course was closed on March 4, 2002, which includes installation of a new irrigation system and practice area, which necessitated the remodeling of part of the back nine, along with the new greens and tee boxes as well as reconditioned bunkers and some new cart paths.
The renovation project has raised Sanford Golf Club to a whole new level, but hasn't robbed the course of its old-time charm. When players return for the reopening on September 24th, they'll experience the excitement of a new course and the comfort of a familiar one.
The renovated course features five new holes on the back side, new greens all around, and lush green grass everywhere. But the front side is still the same and the course remains a relatively short one. You will notice first on the front side, along with the general impression that the course is a little more open, is the new pond, installed to help feed the new fairway irrigation system, located adjacent to No. 1 green, No. 2 tee and No. 3 fairway. On the back, No. 10 is now the hole that used to be No. 12, where players hit their tee shots over a pond. The new holes on the back start at No. 11, a short straightaway par 3 comparable to the old No. 11. New par-4s at Nos. 12 and 13 were called "really good golf holes" by David Von Canon, Golf Pro. No. 12 measures 427 yards and 13 is 375-yarder. No. 14 is the second par-3 on the back, No. 15 is the same hole, but the green has been enlarged by 1,000 square feet, and the second shot has been made easier after the hills in the front of the green were graded down to improve drainage. No. 16, another new hole, is now a dogleg left, 495 yard par-5. The practice facility, located in the vicinity of the former 10, 11th, 13th, and 14th holes, includes a full driving range putting green and chipping green with a sand trap.
According to David Von Canon, Golf Pro, "The playing characteristics of the course as a whole will be different because we have new holes. There is new grass on the greens which will make them faster and the tee boxes are level. But you can still tell its an old style course because its not 9,000 yards long. it's a nicer, more playable course. The upgrades have made it better, more modern."