South Nine Golf Course closes

Retired Brig. Gen Jim Gunn talks with Bill Parsons, Director, MWR; and Col. Brian Lauritzen, Fort Belvoir Installation Commander at the ceremony to close the South Nine Golf Course. Gunn, an avid golfer on the South Nine, made the final putt as part of its official closing.

After more than 70 years of service to the Belvoir and military community, the South Nine Golf Course was retired Monday to make way for the new Fort Belvoir community hospital.

"This course will live on as a top-notch medical facility," Bill Parsons, Director of Morale, Welfare and Recreation said at the retirement.

"We have 875 members of the Fort Belvoir Golf Club, so those that played at the South Nine have always been members at the North as well," said Fort Belvoir Golf Club General Manager Peter Cizdziel.

But for many, the difficulty of the North courses, and the inability to walk the courses due to their heavy slopes, means the end of golfing on Belvoir.

"The South Nine is a great course, a lot of people are going to miss it," said John Edsdrom, who has been golfing the South Nine for 32 years with his wife, Ruth. "It's a good course for walking. A lot of the older guys and ladies won't be able to play anymore."

The Belvoir Golf Club is confident that many members who played the South Nine will continue to play at the North courses, but are aware that some will not.

"I think most of the members who played here will come play up North, but for some it's just too difficult, and we'll lose them as members," Cizdziel said. "The 9-hole course had a unique purpose here: it's forgiving; it's flat and open, there are no hills, not a lot of bunkers, and not a lot of hazards, which lends itself to beginners and seniors. It's an ego-booster."

The South Nine has a long and distinguished history. The course first opened in 1933, when six holes were constructed. The other three were added in 1935, and the course was officially named on July 26, 1949.

"They say that 'Old Soldiers never die, they just fade away.' Well, this Soldier certainly isn't dying, he's moving on to his new mission," Installation Commander, Col. Brian W. Lauritzen said of the course at the closing ceremony.

Hayfield High School student Adam Bodgen, a member of the South Nine Youth Golf Team with a 7 handicap, began the ceremonial last round by teeing off at the first hole. The 15-year-old hit a long, straight, shot that landed in the fairway 100 yards from the hole.

The tee boxes were then removed from the ground.

Retired Brig. Gen. Jim Gunn ended the symbolic round, chipping onto the 9th green, and putting into the hole.

After the ball rolled into the cup, the flag from the hole was removed, officially retiring the South 9 course.

"I think they're doing a great disservice to the veterans and the retired Soldiers who have served their country," said Ruth Edsdrom. "They'll never be able to play golf again."

To help accommodate senior and junior golfers who want to play 9 holes, the North 36 will implement a 9-hole green fee and care fee Monday through Thursday.

As for the staff, Cizdziel said that a good portion of the golf employees at the South Nine will move up to the North 36, including the entire maintenance staff. The Southside Grill in the South 9 clubhouse will remain open for breakfast and lunch, and will expand into what has been the pro shop.

For many of the South Nine regulars, the closing not only takes away their course, it is taking away the place they spend time with their friends, and where they exercise by walking the course.

"It's taking away a lot of these senior's lives," Cizdziel said. "This is where they play, this is where they eat, and this is where they socialize. This is more than just closing their golf course, it's closing where they hang out with their friends; it's closing a chapter in their lives."

Cizdziel said golfers won't have to worry about getting a tee time at the North Post courses.

"We have ample tee times up North, and we'll be able to accommodate everyone who wants to play," he said. Cizdziel said the only time there may be a wait is on Saturday and Sunday mornings.

But for those used to the more-forgiving South 9, the adjustment will be difficult.

"I'm disappointed," said Oscar Sanders, a retired Soldier who has been golfing at the South Nine since 1965. "You can walk this course, that's what's so great about it. Most of the seniors can't walk the course up North."

While Fort Belvoir will say goodbye to an old friend, it will say hello to a state-of-the-art medical facility.

"Right now, a very dire need is the ability to care for [our wounded Soldiers]," said Lauritzen.

But, for many of the golfers, it is a hard pill to swallow.

"They are all Soldiers. They understand the big mission of it, but it's hard for them to understand why it had to be here," Cizdziel said.

While many are sad about the loss, they will make the adjustment to golfing the world-class 36 holes on North Post.

"We've had great years here," Gunn said. "But, now I'm going to adjust my life to going up North. I expect to see you all there. This old Soldier isn't fading away ... I'm a golfer."

And from all who have spent time driving, chipping and putting on the South Nine, through the good rounds and the bad ... thanks for the memories.