ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Wrapping two years with its new operators, golfers said the historic Asheville Municipal Golf Course was looking better than it had in a decade. The city was nearing completion on multimillion dollar capital improvements — restoring fairways, bunkers, cart paths and greens across its 18 holes, along with substantial stormwater repairs.
After Tropical Storm Helene lashed Western North Carolina Sept. 27, the Swannanoa River, which runs alongside the course, crested at more than 26 feet, spilling from its banks and engulfing whole areas of the city.
Chris Corl, whose department oversees the course, said the water poured down through the surrounding neighborhood. It geysered up from the inlet drains, hitting walls of floodwater, left with nowhere else to go. The front nine holes were almost completely inundated as stormwater burbled up through the irrigation system, pulling the course apart from below.
View looking across the destroyed Asheville Municipal Golf Course with the Manna Food Bank at left along Swannanoa River Road in East Asheville. Photo taken on October 2, 2024
When waters receded, it left behind downed trees, debris, powerlines and multiple feet of silt. Improvements to the front nine were largely undone by the storm, Corl said — about one-third to a half of the overall work. The city estimates roughly $7 million in needed repairs.
The course, affectionately known as “Muni,” was designed by Hall of Fame golf architect Donald Ross and opened for play in 1927. It remains the last “affordable” public fee course in Asheville and is home to Skyview Golf Tournament, the longest running professional tournament in the country owned and operated by Black residents, which held its 64th annual tournament in July.
‘Incredible damage’
Corl had a heads up before he surveyed the damage. But it didn’t entirely soften the blow.
“It was a lot worse than I expected, I’ll say that,” Corl said.
The back nine escaped the worst of the damage and reopened for play Oct. 28. The view from the lush green of the open holes to the devastation of the front nine is jarring — contrasting sharply with the dusty, tree-strewn desolation beyond.
Asheville Municipal Golf Course front nine holes are not open for play on Nov. 7, 2024 due to damage from Tropical Storm Helene that came through in September. The back nine are open for the public to play on. This small portion along Fairway Drive had just a small area untouched.
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