ANC Update for Woodlake Residents - Lakebed Maintenance

Dear Residents of Our Lake Community,

We are pleased to announce that this week we will begin bush hogging and grubbing the drained lakebed as part of our ongoing efforts to prepare for the restart of work on the Woodlake dam project, as well as future improvements and maintenance for the dam and lakebed area. This process will be labor-intensive and is expected to take several months, depending on optimal weather conditions. Please note that we are not yet close to impounding water; we are simply taking advantage of the breached cofferdam and low water levels.

For your safety, we kindly request that you avoid accessing the marina area during this time, as our clearing crews will utilize this access point to mobilize and work on the lakebed. They will be also utilizing the entrance off of 690 so we urge residents to use the proper front entrances of the community and refrain from using the contractor entrance at Seagull.

Additionally, we ask that you retrieve any personal belongings—such as boats, trampolines, and patio chairs from the lakebed within the next 10 days.

This period is also an opportune time for you to assess your bulkheads and docks for any necessary repairs. Please consult the CSC guidelines regarding bulkhead repair and the approval process. We encourage homeowners to maintain the area around their docks and property lines after the bush hogging is completed.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation as we work to enhance our community. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Warm regards,

Atlantic National Capital

ANC (Developer) Update to the Woodlake Community

Dear Woodlake Community,

Woodlake Country Club Update
We are thrilled to announce that we recently celebrated the one-year anniversary of the newly renovated Maples Course and our membership program! This journey has been incredibly exciting, and we are making daily progress on every aspect of our master plan. In June, we proudly opened the Maples Grill, followed by the completion of our state-of-the-art cart storage building in July.

Looking ahead, we are eagerly anticipating the grand opening of our first stay-and-play accommodation, Swan's Neck Cottage, located at 929 McLauchlin Road. This well-appointed 3 bedroom cottage will be available starting next month, and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome guests.

In September, we broke ground on a 3-court pickleball facility, the first phase of many in our sports and fitness development plan. We expect the courts to be ready for play before the end of the year, as part of our commitment to expanding amenities for our members and guests.

Additionally, to celebrate our first successful year, we just launched a special promotion offering zero percent financing of initiation fees, available for the next 60 days, giving Woodlake community members the opportunity to join us on this exciting journey. We are overwhelmed by the positive feedback we continue to receive about our dedicated Club staff, culinary team, and our renowned golf course.

Community Partnership
As part of our commitment to building a stronger Woodlake, we are excited to share the progress from our recent meeting with the POA. During this meeting, we discussed future plans for community events and improvements that will benefit everyone. These discussions covered a wide range of topics that include exploring areas of the community that could be designated for sole community use.

We have also developed collaborative plans for upcoming events, including Halloween and other signature Woodlake traditions. Our primary goal is to enhance the overall quality of life for the entire Woodlake community through thoughtful development and the introduction of new amenities. While we are working to create a distinct Country Club community within Woodlake for those who find value in such offerings, we want to emphasize that this is not intended to divide but to add an additional layer of opportunity and engagement for those interested. We remain committed to fostering a strong sense of unity by listening to all Woodlake Community members and ensuring that everyone benefits from our ongoing efforts.

While these initiatives take time, we are excited to celebrate the progress we’ve made and the little successes that pave the way forward. We sincerely appreciate the continued support of the entire Woodlake community in so many ways, and we extend special thanks to those who have chosen to support our efforts through Club membership. Ultimately, the Country Club plays a vital role in driving the future development and long-term success of Woodlake, contributing to a thriving community for generations to come.

Dam Update
In our last communication, we informed you of the potential threats posed by Tropical Storm Debby. Today, we are pleased to report that, through proactive and strategic measures, we successfully prevented what could have been a devastating downstream flooding event. Thanks to our team’s swift response, we avoided the displacement and risk to over 600 homes downstream.

However, in our efforts to mitigate this threat, we took the necessary step of notching the cofferdam. While this action was essential for the community's safety, we have since received quotes from our current contractor indicating that the repairs will cost as much as $3 million. However we are committed to getting additional bids and exploring alternative options. This work will extend our already delayed timeline by an estimated 3 to 6 months.

Our project engineers have described the obstacles and delays we've encountered so far as a "perfect storm" of events. Despite these challenges, we remain committed and are working diligently to ensure the project moves forward. We are optimistic about the outcome and will continue to keep you updated as we progress.

We’d like to remind residents that the access point on Seagull Drive is exclusively for TA Loving and their ANC contractors. It should not be used for community access.

The Silver Lining
One positive outcome of Tropical Storm Debby is that the lakebed has now reached its lowest level since the original dam breach in 2017. This presents an ideal opportunity for us to move forward with an aggressive lakebed clearing initiative. In the near future, we will provide details on how community members can participate in this effort and possibly earn reimbursement for their assistance.

Additionally, we have engaged a highly skilled third-party company with expertise in dam construction to conduct a thorough site assessment. They will be working closely with us to identify opportunities to expedite the construction process and ensure that our contractor delivers optimal subcontractors, pricing, and solutions. This assessment is especially critical in light of challenges faced early on in the project which have caused delays that continue to affect our progress.

Thank you for your continued support and patience as we navigate these challenges. We are committed to ensuring a successful outcome for Woodlake and will keep you informed every step of the way.

Sincerely,

Atlantic National Capital

Update on Temporary Cofferdam and Tropical Storm Debby Flooding

As many of you know, construction and remediation work on the temporary cofferdam resumed last month after our dam contractors secured a sealed and approved Water Control Plan. When we received notice of the approaching Tropical Storm Debby, 80% of the work on the cofferdam remediation was already complete. Out of an abundance of caution, an action that proved wise, our Engineers, in working with Dam safety, advised the contractors to create additional diversions in anticipation of the increased water flow and additional water impoundment at the dam site.

Given the potential risk to the project, particularly the upstream cofferdam, our top priority was to prevent an uncontrolled release and avoid any emergency flooding situations. Thankfully, our Engineers, who have remained onsite around the clock during the storm and will continue through the weekend, believe that these proactive measures have successfully prevented the worst-case scenario. However, due to some erosion of the cofferdam, our Engineers initiated a yellow Emergency Action Plan (EAP) this afternoon to proactively notify residents about the potential rise in creek waters downstream.

Please be assured that the downstream flooding is not a result of the dam or lakebed conditions. It is directly attributable to Tropical Storm Debbie, rising creek waters, and the backup from Little River and Crane's Creek. Fortunately, our Engineers are actively engaging with city and county officials, along with dam safety experts, to help navigate the flooding conditions, conditions that would have been present regardless of the dam’s state. Although these precautionary measures and modifications to the cofferdam will set back our construction timeline, it was the right, safe, and best course of action to continue our mission of mitigating downstream flooding through the development of the Woodlake Dam. Once the dam is complete, we will have better control over water flow, further reducing the risk of downstream flooding.

Recent news reports from the EAP initiation have erroneously suggested that our final Woodlake Dam has eroded. This is not the case. Our contractors are still working on the temporary cofferdam phase, which primarily consists of compacted clay. Minor erosion is expected in a major storm like this. Thankfully, the diversion channel was expanded a few weeks ago as part of the remediation work, and precautionary storm prep work on the temporary earthen dam around the construction site ensured that water did not impound in the lakebed during the storm.

We are also closely monitoring other flooding areas in and around Woodlake, particularly near the front entrance and guard gate. Our dam Engineers have been assessing the situation and believe the flooding may be due to a clogged culvert and need maintenance to keep the storm drains in and around, and under, the entrance roadways clear and free of debris. We will engage our teams to work closely with the Property Owners Association (POA) to determine the cause and develop a solution to hopefully help prevent such flooding in the future.

We would like to thank our Woodlake Country Club staff for being out in the field, talking with community members, assisting where needed, and providing updates. We also extend our gratitude to the POA for their thorough and proactive communications, helping to keep our community safe and informed. We urge all residents to exercise caution, follow the instructions of the POA, as well as city and county officials, and avoid driving or walking through any waterways during this dangerous time.

Thank you for your attention and cooperation.

Woodlake Country Club Grand Opening and Community Updates

Dear Community Members,

A Sincere Thank You to the Community of Woodlake

We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you who have supported ANC's redevelopment efforts in so many meaningful ways. Your unwavering support and belief in our vision have been the driving force behind our progress and success.

To those who have joined the Club under our soft opening, your commitment is especially vital. Your participation and enthusiasm are the lifeblood that will sustain our continued development and growth within the community. Your belief in our mission has been an incredible encouragement, and we are profoundly grateful for your support. We extend a special heartfelt gratitude to our Club’s Founding Members.

As we see our hard work over the last few years starting to come to fruition, despite the obstacles, we are reminded of the many milestones we have celebrated along the way. These achievements would not have been possible without the collective effort and dedication of our Woodlake Community members.

While we still have much work ahead of us, we remain confident and motivated by the trust and support you have shown us. Together, we will continue to make Woodlake a vibrant, thriving community.

Thank you for believing in us and for being an essential part of this journey.

Woodlake Country Club Grand Opening Announcement

We are thrilled to announce the much-anticipated grand opening of the Woodlake Country Club, marked by the debut of The Maples Grill on June 11th. We have had a fun and exciting soft opening since Fall of 2023, however, this momentous occasion brings a new convenience for our community and designates full access to an array of premier amenities that further and undoubtedly set our Club apart.

Members can now enjoy:

• The Maples Golf Course: Our meticulously maintained 18-hole golf course.

• Driving Range: Perfect your swing at our state-of-the-art driving range.

• The Maples Grill: Indulge in delicious cuisine and outdoor dining with stunning views.

• Event Venues: Five elegant spaces for hosting your most memorable events.

• Pool Club: A refreshing oasis for relaxation and recreation.

• Social Activities: An exciting calendar of events designed to bring our community together.

We look forward to celebrating this milestone with all of you on May 30th at our Open House where all community members are welcome. With the grand opening of Woodlake Country Club, we are embarking on a new chapter of growth and success. Together, we are ensuring that Woodlake will continue to thrive, leaving behind the challenges of the past and embracing a future filled with promise and prosperity. For more information, please visit woodlakecountryclubnc.com.

Next Areas of Focus: Marina development

Following the grand opening of the Club, we are thrilled to announce our next major focus: the development of the Marina. This project will mark a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to enhance the Woodlake community and bringing back the lake.

We are currently working on conceptual renderings for the marina, which will include docks and boat/trailer storage facilities. This initiative will allow us to start reserving spaces for our Club members. Stay tuned for further details as we finalize these plans, and prepare to secure your spot in this new and exciting phase of Woodlake's development.

We are collaborating with a renowned architectural firm to create a comprehensive master plan for the development of Woodlake and we anticipate the completion of this plan by late Summer 2024.

We are excited about these upcoming developments and look forward to working with our members and partners to bring this project to life.

Update on Dam Construction & Schedule

We wanted to update the Community on a minor adjustment to the dam construction schedule. The contractor is currently in the process of obtaining a sealed Engineer’s certification for the coffer dam, which is expected to take approximately 4 to 6 weeks.

Some obstacles have been encountered with the current coffer dam and the contractor is awaiting an engineer sealed Water Control and Diversion Plan to continue the construction, which has caused a temporary slowdown. We are unsure at this time how this will affect the overall completion date, however we will ensure that this gets resolved as quickly and as efficiently as possible.

During this period, a small crew will remain on site to maintain operations and accept shipments of steel and other supplies needed for the project. We anticipate resuming full construction activities soon and are confident that the project will get back on track quickly.

We are sharing this update to address any potential misinformation within the community. Past experiences have shown that rumors can spread quickly, and we want to ensure everyone has accurate information.

We appreciate your understanding and patience as we work through this brief adjustment. If there are any further updates that may affect the community, we will promptly share this information with our club members and the Property Owners Association (POA).

Thank you for your continued support.

Sincerely,

Atlantic National Capital

Woodlake Country Club Unveils Exciting Opening Date of the Maples Golf Course as well as Website, Brand, and Membership Launch

Woodlake Country Club is proud to announce the launch of our renovated Maples Course and everything “Woodlake Country Club” that promises to redefine lifestyle and recreation within our cherished community. After two years of meticulous planning, comprehensive community engagement, and extensive market research, we are thrilled to introduce the new Woodlake Country Club brand, along with our proposed amenity development timeline tailored to our residents' desires. All of this can be found on Woodlake Country Club’s website which is set to launch on Tuesday, September 12th. Our brand-new website will serve as the central hub for all things Woodlake Country Club. Discover membership options, explore upcoming events, stay updated with club news, and experience the essence of our transformation.

Exciting things to Expect from Our New Website (www.woodlakecountryclubnc.com)

Sneak Peek at Our New Logo: Prepare to be captivated by our redesigned logo, which pays homage to the original name while embracing the future. This new logo, exclusive to Woodlake Country Club, will allow our community to grow its unique identity using the original logo as represented on the front entrance signage.

Exclusive Renderings: Get a glimpse of our beautiful new Clubhouse through inspiring renderings that showcase the exciting transformation underway at the future Club’s 19th hole, pro shop and outdoor event and dining patio.

Membership Information: Discover all the benefits and privileges that come with being a member of our new and improved Club. Learn about our membership options, including golf, sports, and social memberships, and find out how you can become a part of our Woodlake Country Club family.

Timelines and Amenities: Gain insights into the timelines for our upcoming developments and amenities that will bring our Woodlake Community to new heights.

The Maples Course Openings & Reservations: The Maples Course is scheduled to open to Woodlake Residents only on September 20th. Online Tee Time reservations will start with the launch of our website on Tuesday. Community Members will be able to earn a sneak peak of our course at a temporary discounted rate while we are wrapping up clubhouse construction and training our staff. Residents must be able to provide proof of address at time of check-in.

Upcoming Social Events: From Membership Launch Parties for the entire community, to Member only golf tournament and patio events, we have a full social event calendar through the end of the year and highlight in detail on the homepage of our website.

Woodlake Country Club's commitment to excellence extends beyond the golf course and club facilities. Our new website is a testament to our dedication towards enhancing the overall member experience and showcasing the incredible journey we are embarking on. Our journey to finalizing this launch was shaped by the invaluable input of over 600 community-wide survey responses that provided insight from multiple focus groups, including past members of the former Woodlake Country Club. This collective wisdom has guided us in re-crafting memberships that hopefully meet and exceed your expectations of our future amenities. We are also excited to unveil our projected amenity development timeline, featuring state-of-the-art facilities, a world-class golf course, indoor and outdoor dining, and more. This timeline has been thoughtfully planned in a phased opening approach to maximize future member access to our amenities that become available sooner than others.

Introducing Our New General Manager & Bobby Jones Links Management Partnership

We are delighted to introduce Jeff Crabbe as our new General Manager. With a distinguished career in club management, Jeff's previous employment and qualifications align seamlessly with our vision for this exciting new chapter.

Jeff Crabbe shared his enthusiasm, stating, "I am honored to be part of the Woodlake Country Club family and am excited to lead this transformation. Our commitment to excellence and community-driven approach will ensure that Woodlake becomes the destination of choice for residents and visitors alike. We are extremely excited about the launch of our new website; it not only embodies the timeless charm of Woodlake but also provides our members and potential members with an interactive platform to explore the many facets of our club and stay up-to-date with our ongoing developments."

To ensure the seamless day-to-day operations and impeccable service standards at Woodlake Country Club, we are also thrilled to announce our partnership with Bobby Jones Links, a renowned name in the industry. Following a successful 4 to 5 month consulting partnership, we are confident that this collaboration will elevate our club to new heights. The family owners of Woodlake Country Club expressed their anticipation, stating, "This is an exciting moment for us and the entire Woodlake community. We are confident that with Jeff Crabbe at the helm and the expertise of Bobby Jones Links, Woodlake Country Club will flourish."

As we embark on this journey, we look forward to sharing this excitement with you, our valued residents. Construction of the dam has commenced, and we have an array of events and social activities planned in the coming months for both existing and future members. This is a time of celebration, unity, and progress for Woodlake Country Club, and we can't wait to share it all with you. Mark your calendars for the official launch of our new website this Tuesday around 5:00pm. Be among the first to experience the transformation of Woodlake Country Club online. Stay tuned for updates and exciting announcements leading up to the big reveal on our Facebook and Instagram pages: @woodlakecountryclub.

Together, let's create a new legacy of luxury living and community camaraderie at Woodlake. For more information, please visit our website at www.woodlakecountryclubnc.com.

Woodlake Country Club General Interest Survey

Dear Woodlake Residents,

We are excited to inform you we are very close to having the initial phase of the new Woodlake Country Club open for Membership. We anticipate opening the Maples Golf Course and Golf Shop facility with a soft opening in the month of September. We’ll confirm more details and a firm timeline over the next 30 days when we plan to go live with our new website and Woodlake Country Club membership launch.

To ensure Atlantic National Capital is developing a club and membership with the interest of the local community in mind, we want to provide multiple opportunities to learn what is important to you. Please help us by taking this short, anonymous (if you choose) survey.  The survey will take less than five (5) minutes to complete and will remain open until Sunday, July 30th at 6 p.m.

In addition to the survey, we will host a couple of opportunities to participate in a focus group (virtual or in person) in or around the second week in August. To inform us of your interest to participate, we ask you to indicate this in the area provided within the survey. Please use the link or button below to enter the survey.

With the great news about receiving the Certificate of Approval to modify the dam, we are more excited than ever to bring a new, reinvented Woodlake Country Club experience to the community. As a resident and member of the Woodlake Community, we appreciate your feedback and support in building the future of Woodlake Country Club.

Thank you,

Bobby Jones Links and Atlantic National Capital

Woodlake Dam Receives Certificate of Approval from DEQ, Clearing the Path for Construction to Commence

[Vass, NC - June 29, 2023] – The Woodlake Dam Modification project has been underway since mid-2017 after the dam was breached in October 2016, originally led by the volunteers of the Restore Woodlake Committee and taken over in 2021 by new local ownership, Atlantic National Capital (ANC). After nearly 2 years of surveying, geotechnical testing, engineering and design, ANC is thrilled to announce the long-awaited receipt of the Certificate of Approval to modify the dam from the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). This momentous milestone paves the way for the official commencement of construction on the dam, marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter for not only the Woodlake Community, but all surrounding residents that have been affected by the damaged dam and subsequent evacuations downstream following Hurricane Matthew in 2016. “We have overcome numerous hurdles over the past several years to bring this project to fruition. While we still may face obstacles prior to and during construction, we are very excited and eager to enter this next phase, knowing that our dedication and perseverance have paid off” says Keith Allison of Atlantic National Capital, who was originally asked by the Restore Woodlake Committee to join their efforts.

The Woodlake Dam modifications have been designed with careful consideration for restoring the functionality of the dam and improving design details to current design standards and regulations. The new Dam, designed by Schnabel Engineering, has been designed to reduce upstream lake flooding compared to the old dam and will simultaneously mitigate downstream flooding by simply being in place. The approval from DEQ affirms the commitment to this initiative as well as providing a safe and sustainable dam. With the Certificate of Approval in hand, ANC can now proceed forward, ready to make a positive impact on the surrounding communities.

ANC is grateful to the Department of Environmental Quality, the Division of Water Quality, and the Army Corps of Engineers for their thorough review and approval of the submitted plans. The collaboration and commitment to environmental protection have been instrumental in helping us reach this pivotal moment. After all preliminary administration has been satisfied, the awarded contractor, TA Loving, will immediately begin to mobilize the dam site per the requirements by the State; construction will officially begin on July 10, 2023 and is projected to take approximately 18 months.

Current Conditions Map of the Woodlake Dam Prior to Construction

While it is exciting to embark on the construction phase of this transformative journey, the effort would not have been possible without the overwhelming support and preemptive efforts of the local community. The continued cooperation of the community will ensure the success and long term sustainability of this project.  As the lakebed clearing strategy is being finalized, any efforts made by the community now to keep the overgrowth cleared in and around their property will help keep the project’s overall costs down, as there are already significant cost overages from the initial funding received.  Lakefront owners will soon receive additional information from ANC on dock repairs as final requirements and parameters are determined in coordination with local governing entities.

Please join ANC in celebrating the beginning of this remarkable construction endeavor. Together, ANC and the community will witness the construction of a vital infrastructure that will shape the future of Woodlake and surrounding areas for generations to come.

Dive into the 2023 Pool Season at Woodlake

DIVE INTO THE 2023 POOL SEASON AT WOODLAKE

The Pool at Woodlake is ready for the 2023 Season

Pool Memberships

Join us Poolside all summer long beginning this Friday, May 26th. The snack bar will be open 11am-6pm daily throughout the pool season, serving soda, ice cream, snacks, beer, and drinks (credit card only). As a reminder, coolers and outside food and drinks are prohibited. Please refer to our published pool rules and regulations in regards to any questions you may have.

Don’t forget to purchase your pool memberships before opening day! We are offering Individual Memberships for $180.00, in addition to Basic Household Memberships for $420.00. There is still time to register- get yours today!

Pool passes will be available for pickup at the pool entrance on Friday, May 26th for members that have purchased their passes and provided headshot images by Thursday, May 25th. A photo ID with the purchasers name, or household name, must be presented at the time of pick-up.

Pool Hours and Activities

Regular pool hours for the 2023 season are 10am-8pm, Monday-Sunday. Early bird pool hours for adult members only is between the hours of 8am-10am, Monday-Sunday.

• Early Bird (Adult Members Only): Monday - Sunday | 8:00am - 10:00am

• Regular Hours (All Members): Monday - Sunday | 10:00am - 8:00pm

As an added amenity to our adult members, free aerobics classes will be held at the pool every Monday and Friday at 9am, beginning June 5th.

Complimentary Water Aerobics Graphic - Monday and Friday for Pool Members only

Memorial Day Pool Party

The Memorial Day Pool Party has been postponed to Monday, May 29 at 11:00am due to the weather. Join us as we kick-off the summer together and enjoy food, music, and fun for all! The snack bar will be serving all day and Lunch options will be available from 11am-2pm. We will also have a Bounce House and Waterslide from 11am-5pm.

Follow Us on Social Media

We are now on social media! Follow us on our new Instagram page for frequent updates.

Woodlake Country Club Partners with Bobby Jones Links for Relaunch

Atlantic National Capital is pleased to announce its partnership with Bobby Jones Links, an Atlanta-based advisory firm, to provide consultation for the pre-opening of the Maples course, unveiling of the master plan, and club memberships. In addition to Woodlake, Bobby Jones Links has established several other partnerships with country clubs in North Carolina, and we are thrilled to have their input, expertise, and national buying power involved in this project. Through this partnership, Atlantic National Capital will be dedicated to capital improvements and golf course renovations, while Bobby Jones Links focuses its efforts and resources on the clubhouse, pool, and club operations. Their first order of business will be opening the pool for the 2023 season. In 2022, a total of 260 families and members spent the summer Poolside, and we are looking forward to another successful pool season starting with our Memorial Day Weekend Kickoff (more details to come!) Memberships for the 2023 pool season are now available with updated rates.

An interim Operations Manager has been assigned to Woodlake as of April 20th and will help oversee club operations and recruitment as we work to become fully staffed for the late summer/ early fall soft opening. Information on club memberships, VIP tours, and soft launch play will be available at a later date. We are hopeful that the 19th hole opening will be simultaneous with the Maples course, however, with inspections and furnishings there is a possibility that it will be opened as a second phase. Many of you may have noticed some exciting updates that are happening around the temporary clubhouse, and we can’t wait to share more details with you as construction continues over the next few months. In other exciting news, we are expecting to receive the remaining approvals needed to begin repairs on the dam in the coming weeks. 

See the press release below for more information on our partnership with Bobby Jones Links:

BOBBY JONES LINKS TAPPED TO RELAUNCH WOODLAKE COUNTRY CLUB  

Bobby Jones Links Continues Momentum In 2023 With Addition In Pinehurst Market

ATLANTA, GA (April, 2023) – Bobby Jones Links, an Atlanta-based club management and advisory services company, is pleased to announce a consulting partnership with Woodlake Country Club, a privately-owned country club in Vass, North Carolina. Woodlake represents the company’s sixth club in North Carolina and the fifth addition to its portfolio in 2023.

Located 25 minutes east of the famed Pinehurst Resort, Woodlake Country Club was once a thriving private club and boating community developed in 1968.  Originally envisioned as a boating and golf destination on par with historic resorts in the area, Woodlake featured two 18-hole golf courses; one designed by Arnold Palmer and the other by revered local architect Ellis Maples, the 1,200-acre Lake Surf and the historic Oates House. Moved to Woodlake from Fayetteville, the Oates House was once the residence of John A. Oates, a judge, historian, and civic leader. Enduring financial hardship through the 1980s, the community’s eventual demise was the potential breach of the lake’s dam during Hurricane Matthew in 2016.  As a precaution, the state drained Lake Surf eliminating the irrigation supply for the golf courses, which lead to Woodlake’s closure.

In 2021, local investor Atlantic National Capital secured the Woodlake community, including the golf courses, lake, and undeveloped real estate through foreclosure proceedings. Atlantic National Capital immediately launched an ambitious plan to restore Woodlake and hired noted golf designer Kris Spence to restore the Maples Course. 

“We are thrilled to be a member of the team that will breathe new life into Woodlake,” said Doug Hellman, President of Business Development. “This project provides a rare opportunity to leverage our deep expertise and resources  to launch and restore Woodlake Country Club as a premier lifestyle club and community in one of the most recognized golf resort markets in the country.”

Slated to open in phases in Fall 2023, the revitalized Woodlake Country Club will offer members access to the Kris Spence remodeled 18-hole, par 72 golf course, practice range, pool, clubhouse, and multi-purpose complex with indoor pickleball courts and golf simulators. In addition to memberships, the club will offer limited access to non-members and outside events as a measure of community goodwill and to showcase all that Woodlake has to offer. 

“We grew up at Woodlake and assembled a great team to help achieve our vision of making the club and community one of the most sought-after lifestyle recreation communities in the area,” said Cara Spencer, Atlantic National Capital representative.  “We needed a partner with expertise and resources to take our project from today to opening day and one that would also tailor their services to our needs.  Bobby Jones Links is a perfect fit to achieve our goals for Woodlake.”

About Bobby Jones Links

Bobby Jones Links is a privately owned club management company offering hands-on, turnkey operations management and advisory services to select daily fee, private and semi-private clubs. Based in Atlanta with an office in Naples, FL, the company manages 29 properties in eleven states, including Bobby Jones Golf Course, Hope Valley Country Club, Eastpointe Country Club, and Travis Pointe Country Club. Visit www.bobbyjoneslinks.com to learn how Bobby Jones Links makes a difference for their clients and associates.

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Media Contacts

Kaylie Trotman

Pineapple Public Relations

ktrotman@pineapple-pr.com

Katie Lentine

Marketing Manager

Bobby Jones Links

katie.lentine@bobbyjoneslinks.com

Clubhouse, Construction & Dam Planning Continue - February 2023

CLUBHOUSE & gOLF cOURSE

We are excited to announce that Woodlake Country Club was recently featured as one of the Top 25 Notable Golf Course Renovations in 2023 by Golf Pass. Woodlake made the list among other notable course, not just in the US, but the world. They noted “Renovations come in many shades; even the most seemingly modest ones can have a huge impact on the day-to-day enjoyment of a course. Hundreds of golf courses will receive some sort of renovation this year. For now, here are 25 notable renovations to be aware of in 2023.”

The article continued with “Originally home to two golf courses, Woodlake fell on hard times and ultimately closed late last decade. Under new ownership, its original Ellis Maples-designed course is being revived by Kris Spence, who is an authority on the work of Donald Ross, Maples' mentor. Spence believes Woodlake to represent the some of Maples' best work, and he terms his renovation of Woodlake a "resurrection." The eponymous 1,200-acre body of water makes a stirring setting for the course's first few holes before it heads into the hills. When it reopens, Woodlake will be a great semi-private option for Pinehurst-bound golfers.”

As renovations to the Clubhouse building progress, The Woodlake Country Club website, as well as information on Memberships, is still expected to launch in early 2023. Our goal is to have details and information ahead of the summer season to allow time for signups prior to the soft opening date of the Clubhouse & Golf Course and in time for the pool season commencing Memorial Day weekend, as this will be a part of our package options. The target website and membership launch is set for this spring, mid April to early May. As we also prepare to enter growing season in early spring, we are closely monitoring the grass and Mother Nature to announce an exact date on the soft opening of the Maples Course.  In addition to the announcement, we are discussing plans for exclusive golf course tours for Woodlake Residents prior to the opening; these tours would provide residents with an opportunity to get a firsthand look at the amazing transformation that has taken place over the years.

During the winter months, our maintenance team continued work on the Maples Course such as detailing natural areas, analyzing drainage, and cleaning the tree line surrounding playable areas. Given the recent warm front that moved in, our team has started spraying pre-emergent over the greens and fairways, as well as weed killer. It is still imperative that everyone continues to stay off of the Golf Course grass and grounds in addition to the golf cart paths at all times. At this time, we are discussing plans for exclusive golf course tours for Woodlake Residents prior to the grand opening; these tours would provide residents with an opportunity to get a firsthand look at the amazing transformation that has taken place over the years. The photos below are from the 8th Green, which is a Par 3. The photo on the left is from two years ago when we first acquired the property, and the photo on the right was taken this week from the same spot.

Transformation of the 8th Green from 2021 - Present

DAM PLANNING & CONSTRUCTION

Over the last few months, Atlantic National Capital and Schnabel Engineering have been working diligently behind the scenes to maintain the project timeline for the dam repair while simultaneously making notable progress. We are pleased to announce that after months of contract negotiations, Atlantic National Capital and TA Loving are officially under contract for the repair and restoration of the Woodlake Dam. While we are still navigating increased construction costs and materials, we are confident that our partnership with TA Loving will be effective in expediting the timeline as much as possible and identifying areas for cost savings as we continue to seek funding for the projected overage.

Atlantic National Capital has received a letter of approval from NC DEQ on our Subject Erosion and Sedimentation Control plans, and we have concurrently submitted an application for approval to repair the dam to NC DEQ Dam Safety. Supplementary to our application, Schanbel has completed evaluations and preparation of design drawings and specifications. Schnabel Engineering and Mogensen Mitigation are also working to obtain an extension on our 401/404 permit for our Wetlands Plan. Please keep in mind that ANC has no control over the permitting and approval process or the time involved. We are optimistic that we will not encounter any problems that could halt or jeopardize the Dam Construction or projected water levels. We have been told that NCDEQ is short staffed in Engineering and project approvals are dependent on priority status, which could take up to 6 months.

The proposed 7-cycle labrinyth design is an inline structure with a minimum top elevation of 230 and gates to the spillway exit. The complexity of this design aligns with our efforts to mitigate any future downstream flooding and ensures longterm sustainability. We have completed all the fill for the lakebed, and the goal of the design and rebuild would be to keep the lake at the same MSL (elevation) as it was prior to the dam breach.

The design drawings and specifications for the dam repair project produced by Schnabel Engineering.

Pre-mobilization preparations for dam construction are optimistically underway. This includes setting up temporary power and utilities for security lighting and cameras, clearing direct access paths to both sides of the dam, as well as installing fencing, storage, and temporary office sites. Mobilization by TA Loving is projected to follow this phase pending final approvals and permitting. Once construction commences, we are being told the project could take anywhere from 14 to 18 months to complete, and we remain hopeful for a 2024 completion date.

In an effort to expedite lakebed clearing when the time comes, we ask that all Lakefront homeowners continue to maintain any overgrown areas directly in front of their property. If you have not been maintaining these areas already, we ask that you proactively make efforts to clear any overgrown vegetation adjoining your property to ensure the lakebed in front of your home will be clear prior to construction commencement as our teams are focusing on the main lakebed and common areas. Our efforts will also include the marina and boat slip areas. Our vision for these areas include docks and possible boat storage available for residents to rent in the future. In regards to personal Lakefront homeowner docks, we plan to release information on how and when these can be repaired. We are asking homeowners to hold off on making these repairs until we have received all approvals and ANC releases guidelines on docks to ensure there is no disruption in permitting.

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