Preparing the Grounds: Sanderson Farms Championship at The Country Club of Jackson

As the PGA TOUR rolls into Jackson, Mississippi, for the 2024 Sanderson Farms Championship, the spotlight once again shines on The Country Club of Jackson. This historic venue, with its lush fairways and challenging greens, provides a picturesque setting for some of the world’s top golfers. Overseeing the immaculate conditions of this 27-hole property is Stanley Reedy, a certified golf course superintendent (CGCS) and GCSAA member with 45 years of experience. Reedy and his team have been preparing the course for what promises to be another thrilling tournament from October 3-6, 2024.

The championship course is a combination of the Dogwood and Azalea nines, offering a Par 72 layout stretching over 7,461 yards. October’s typically dry weather is expected to provide firm playing conditions, enhancing the strategic challenge of this beautiful Mississippi layout. Reedy’s team, which includes assistant superintendents Glenn Phillips, Dylan Boetler, Corey Garrison, and Griffin Rogers, along with equipment manager Brian Edwards, has been hard at work ensuring every blade of grass is in peak condition for the event.

Turfgrass Specifications:

• Greens: Champion bermudagrass, meticulously maintained at .110 inches, offering smooth and fast surfaces for players to negotiate.
• Tees: A mix of 419 Bermudagrass and Zeon zoysia, cut to .425 inches, providing firm and level surfaces for tee shots.
• Fairways: 419 Bermudagrass, maintained at .450 inches, offering a tight, consistent surface that rewards accuracy off the tee.
• Rough: A blend of 419 Bermudagrass and Zeon zoysia, grown to 2.5 inches, posing a formidable challenge to any player who strays from the fairways.

Course Statistics:

• Average Green Size: 6,200 square feet, requiring precision in approach shots.
• Total Property Acres: 250 acres, including 28 acres of fairways and 100 acres of rough.
• Bunkers and Hazards: The course features 56 sand bunkers and 7 water hazards, with water coming into play on 5 holes.
• Soil and Drainage: The course is sand-capped, which, along with its well water sources and strong drainage conditions, helps maintain firm and fast playing surfaces even under varying weather conditions.

The Country Club of Jackson is more than just a golf course—it’s steeped in history. Adjacent to the course lies Mule Jail, a camp named for its role in the Civil War, where locals hid horses and mules from Union soldiers. This rich history, combined with the modern-day thrill of the Sanderson Farms Championship, makes it a unique venue on the PGA TOUR calendar.

As the tournament approaches, Stanley Reedy and his team continue their preparations, ensuring that The Country Club of Jackson is ready to challenge the world's best golfers while providing a memorable experience for players, fans, and volunteers alike. The 2024 Sanderson Farms Championship is sure to be a highlight of the fall golf season.