Club News
Message from the Course Superintendent
January 2, 2026 | As part of our ongoing commitment to providing the best possible playing conditions and ensuring the long-term health of our golf course, we would like to share an upcoming tree management initiative focused on the greens at Holes 2, 4, and 5.
These greens are ultra-dwarf TifEagle, which requires consistent sunlight and good airflow to perform at a high level. Over time, surrounding trees have increasingly restricted sunlight and air movement, particularly on Green #4, which consistently remains wet. These conditions contribute to prolonged surface moisture, increased disease pressure, algae issues, and weakened turf health.
After careful evaluation, selective tree removal has been identified as the most effective solution to address these concerns. This approach provides several important benefits:
- Improved sunlight and airflow, allowing TifEagle greens to maintain density, vigor, and consistency.
- Faster drying conditions, especially on Green #4, reducing disease and algae pressure.
- Improved playability and visibility for golfers.
- Greater sustainability, including reduced water usage and fewer chemical inputs.
- Lower maintenance costs, such as decreased debris and pine cone removal.
- Protection of nearby cart paths from root intrusion and excess moisture
Please note this is selective tree removal, not clear-cutting. Only trees directly impacting turf health, playability, and infrastructure will be removed, while preserving the overall character and aesthetics of the golf course.
These improvements are being made with the long-term interests of the course and membership in mind and will help ensure healthier greens and a more consistent playing experience. If anyone has any questions or concerns, please reach out to Kyle Matthias at kmatthias@thewildewoodclub.com for more information. Thank you for your continued support.
Course Maintenance & Improvements at The Wildewood Club
August 16, 2025 | Thank you for your patience and understanding as grass growth has been occurring at an uncontrollable rate due to all the recent rain. Please bear with our maintenance staff as the course dries out and we work to get all areas mowed back down to proper playing surfaces.
*Aerification & Verticutting: During the week of July 7–14, we completed a full-course effort to verticut and aerify all short grass areas, including greens, tees, and fairways. This was a huge success and will greatly improve turf health, playability, and root development going forward. The results are already visible on the course every day.
*Larsen Project: The Larsen project has been a tremendous success — we’re thrilled with the changes and the new bunkers. I’ve added some pictures below so you can see the progress and completion of this work firsthand.
*Bunker Work: Over the next few weeks, we’ll be completing drainage work and adding sand to the new bunkers. The new bunkers will be filled with fresh, bright white sand.
All new bunkers and sod areas are currently Ground Under Repair (GUR). Please move your ball to a playable area with no penalty if you find yourself in these zones. Please avoid driving golf carts over newly sodded areas so the turf can establish properly.
*Weed Control: Weed treatments have been ongoing across edges and short grass areas. This is why you may notice the driving range tee and the front entrance looking white — the product used stops photosynthesis in the plant, causing it to bleach before dying off.
*Nursery Green: The nursery green next to the driving range will be sodded in the coming weeks.
*Gravel Stockpile: The gravel you see in the parking lot is staged for multiple drainage projects across the course.
*Overseeding: Our annual overseeding program will begin soon to improve turf density and playing conditions going into the cooler months.
Pre-Emergent & Fertilization: We’ll be applying a pre-emergent herbicide to control cool-season weeds and preparing for fall with one final full-course fertilization to keep the turf healthy and strong.
Our team is proud of the progress made this summer and we’re excited for you to enjoy the improvements in the months ahead. If anyone has any questions or concerns, please reach out to me at, kmatthias@thewildewoodclub.com. Thank you to each and every one of you for making 2025 such a wonderful year.
The Wildewood Club Welcomes Mike Weidl
July 16, 2025 | The Wildewood Club
Mike Weidl is excited to join the team as the new Director of Racquet Sports at The Wildewood Club. He started playing tennis as a junior and continued through college, where he earned two national championships in singles and doubles. As an adult player, he has been a member of USTA teams, earning three national championships.
As a professional, Mike brings over 30 years of experience in coaching, program development, and managing racquet sports facilities. In his previous roles, Mike led adult and junior programs, organized tournaments and events, and helped grow participation across all skill levels. He is passionate about creating an inclusive, high-energy environment where players of all ages and abilities can thrive and improve.
Mike is especially excited to work with the staff and community here to enhance programming, improve player development pathways, and make Wildewood a destination for racquet sports in the town of Columbia.
Mike will relocate from Greensboro, NC. His wife, Julie, is an educator. They have two adult children, Trevor and Elizabeth, who both currently live in Texas. When he is not on the court, Mike enjoys SEC football, playing golf, and traveling. He is looking forward to meeting everyone—please feel free to say hello or reach out any time!