Deerwood Country Club in South Jacksonville will close in 2026 for a year-long redesign of its 65-year-old golf course, the club announced in a Sept. 16 news release.
The club is at 10239 Golf Club Drive. It has been an equity member-owned operation since 1999.
The course will be closed for construction beginning in October 2026, with plans to reopen in October 2027. The golf property spans more than 180 acres, with the original layout designed by George Cobb.
Before work begins, a six-hole course called The Approach will be opened.
“We have received overwhelming support from the membership to build the short course, which will provide a fun alternative to traditional golf,” Deerwood General Manager C. Thayer Kern said in the release.“It will be a social focal point for the membership and a great place for everyone to learn the game.”
Area golf clubs have been renovating.
Glen Kernan Club, 4590 Glen Kernan Parkway East, reopened this year after a redesign that began in 2024, which saw the construction of a new clubhouse and dining facility as well.
Jacksonville Golf and Country Club, 2985 Hunt Club Road N., off Hodges and Butler boulevards will be closing its course for a redesign as well as additions to its clubhouse and pool area. The course will close in September 2027 and take 10 months to a year to complete.
The signature holes of the Deerwood redesign will be the shared green at the par-3 hole 12 and par-4 hole 14.
Erik Larsen of Larsen Golf is the architect. The Ponte Vedra Beach resident has designed more than 100 golf courses around the world over his 40-year career.
Larsen redesigned the Atlantic Beach Country Club, formerly known as Selva Marina Country Club. It received a Best New Course rating from Golf Digest in 2014. Larsen was Arnold Palmer’s project architect at the Arnold Palmer Design Co. from 1983 to 2011.
“We have incorporated a number of visually appealing design enhancements to create a ‘wow’ factor, including the double-green complex as well as the swale on 12 that will be distinct to Deerwood.” Larsen said in the release.
“The finished product will be both challenging at 7,350 yards and pleasing to the eye.”
The course will have large, strategically placed white-sand bunkers
Other redesigned holes include No. 10, a par-5 that wraps around the existing lake, and No. 11, a short par-4 that will be drivable for some players.
MacCurrach Golf Construction of Jacksonville will build The Approach, which will be outfitted with new irrigation and drainage systems.
Since 2022, the club has constructed a resort-style pool area, upgraded fitness and wellness complex, pickleball courts, updated locker room facilities and clubhouse improvements.
A new family dining room called 1960, named in honor of the club’s founding year, has been added.
The historic course hosted the PGA Tour’s Greater Jacksonville Open seven times between 1967 and 1975. The tournament later became The Players Championship.
During the renovation, Deerwood has made arrangements for members to receive reciprocal playing privileges at several Jacksonville area courses.