Golfweek Features Jerry Pate Design and Teeth of the Dog - Read More
At the end of September, Jerry Pate Design celebrated the Grand Opening of Cypress Creek Golf Course! Once named the Linksman Golf Course, this Mobile, Alabama, green underwent a major restoration. The word around the course is that all of the players have been loving the updates, and we were honored to celebrate with many of them, as well as local government officials,
Over 100 unkept acres, 35 of which are densely populated with overgrown timber. Drainage issues that render many areas impassable. Broken concrete cart paths and a vandalized clubhouse. By 2023 there was little appeal remaining at the Linksman Golf Club in Mobile, Alabama. But it was still a respected Ralph Short course design and, more importantly, located in an area sorely in need of an esteemed golf venue.
Now named Cypress Creek Golf Course at Riviére du Chien Park, the Linksman Golf Course was originally laid out in 1972 by Short. The course lies among the tributaries of the Dog River and most of its holes sit directly on the water. The surrounding coastal forests completed the charm of the original design. In its prime, the course was popular with area golfers and hosted a number of tournaments, including the Tommy Agee Celebrity Classic and the Mobile Oilman’s.
The Plan
Led by County Commissioner Randall Dueitt, Mobile County began discussions about acquiring the Linksman Golf Club property with the goal of kicking off a complete renovation. Dueitt has said that he began talks to purchase the property as soon as he was sworn in to office in 2020. His motivation was simple, “We should have more options to play a nice course in Mobile. Why do people leave Mobile to live in Baldwin County? Because they have the amenities.”
Mobile County purchased the land that the course sits on in 2021. After sitting unused for over 15 years, the Linksman Golf Club in Mobile was going to require a lot of restoration. The plan would also need to include a significant amount of effort devoted to mitigating flooding issues that plagued the course throughout its history. It was also apparent that the 1970s era course would need some redesign to bring it up to modern standards.
Mid-America Golf & Landscape was selected to kickstart construction and was awarded a $13.7 million contract to renovate the course. Mobile native Shane Allen was brought on to serve as the owners’ representative and will remain as head pro at the course. He has been involved from the eagerly anticipated start of renovations through the excitement of seeing the final touches put into place. Of particular importance was the selection of 1976 U.S. Open champion and popular golf course designer, Jerry Pate, who was tasked with bringing the dormant Mobile golf landmark back to life.
The Challenges
There were significant challenges to the renovation and rehabilitation of the Linksman Golf Club. First and foremost was the need for a design that would mitigate flooding issues. Being nestled along the tributaries of the Dog River is a big part of the character of the course, but also means it is susceptible to flooding and tidal surges. Heavy duty drainage engineering would be required since 14 of the 18 holes sit directly on the water.
The geography and microclimate of the site would be both a feature and an obstacle. 4 acres of wetlands would require clearing and certain holes would need to be rerouted or shortened to comply with environmental regulations. Entirely new irrigation systems would be needed to keep the course in top shape during the dry season.
The Expertise
Steve Dana and the team at Jerry Pate Design brought a specific set of skills to the Linksman Golf Club renovation project. Their experience in emphasizing strategic shaping and high-capacity drainage to mitigate the impact of heavy rains and tidal flooding made them an ideal choice. Engineering course resilience against tropical weather and coastal winds is another important part of their portfolio.
The team’s familiarity with salt tolerant grasses ensures that the turfgrass will thrive in the sandy, saline soil and be able to better withstand storm surges. Pate’s designs also prioritize ecological preservation and coastal ecosystem integration by establishing native vegetation buffers, ensuring that the course will not be detrimental to the local landscape.
The Results
As of Summer 2026, the renovation of the Linksman Golf Club in Mobile is nearly complete. As the opening day approaches, the Mobile County Commission has voted to officially rename the course Cypress Creek Golf Course at Riviere du Chien Park. The name reflects the importance of the geographic location of the course amongst the tributaries of Dog River.
During the project, nearly 35 acres of heavy timber and four acres of wetlands were cleared and restored. As with previous successes at the Country Club of Mobile and the Pensacola Country Club, Jerry Pate’s design for the course meets modern expectations, yet still retains the classic character of the 1972 design. Back tees now measure approximately 6,400 yards for a revised par of 71. Do not be fooled by the relatively short yardage. Six par threes and five par fives will effectively make the course play longer than its yardage and offer a fun and unique challenge.
Perhaps the most important aspect of the project was flood mitigation. To prevent flooding and tidal erosion, many of the golf corridors have been raised by 3 to 9 feet. Massive grading was involved to redirect runoff, limiting both water damage risk and preventing environmentally harmful runoff. Heavy duty drainage systems have been installed to further manage the runoff. The sub-surface mechanics also include a completely new modern irrigation system. The engineering improvements not only reduce damage risk, but will also increase playable days and ensure excellent year-round course conditions.
The contemporary layout of the course retains the routing spirit and natural charm of the original. Water is a featured element on 14 holes, with natural vistas of the Dog River tributaries found throughout the course. Play also leads through the beautiful wooden terrain that was a highlight of the course’s original character. 4 acres have been dedicated to absolute wetlands preservation.
Pate’s new layout might be described as a “bipolar” challenge. It is designed to have forgiving fairways for the average public golfer, but offer significant risk-reward challenges and tournament-quality positioning elements for more experienced players. As Allen puts it, “They took the existing golf course and put together some really good routing and a really good concept for the golf course.”
As can be expected with the renovation of a long-neglected property, there has been significant attention to rejuvenating the play areas. All greens have been reconstructed in accordance with United States Golf Association (USGA) specifications. The fairways and tees have been resurfaced and regrassed. Bunkers have been reconstructed and fortified against coastal weather forces.
Asphalt cart paths have been replaced with durable concrete. Seven new timber bridges that blend seamlessly with the natural environment are now installed. New parking areas, roadways and an office/maintenance building were also part of the infrastructure renovation.
Community Upgrades
A major success for the project is its fulfillment of Dueitt’s vision of the course and park as a community amenity. There is now a practice area and driving range dedicated for use by students and local middle and high school teams. Tennis and pickleball courts have also been included, along with a picnic area and waterfront access for kayaks and canoes. A clubhouse, playground, and other amenities are planned for the future.
A Successful Renovation
The result of Pate’s design and a lot of hard work is a great looking, challenging, tournament-quality course that should stand the test of time. It is truly a course for all golfers that should please locals and attract visitors. A neglected Linksman Golf Club property is now the Cypress Creek Golf Course that Mobile can be proud of. To connect with our team and discuss your project, please get in touch.
