Gates Four Golf & Country Club on Irongate Drive in Fayetteville is adding another event to its prestigious lineup. The National Junior College Athletic Association Division I Women’s Golf Championship will be held at the classically designed course in 2028. The Fayetteville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau aided with the club’s winning proposal. Approximately 150 golfers will participate over the week-long event, held May 8-11, 2028. Accompanying coaches, parents, and spectators will not only be supporting women’s golf and junior college athletics in general, but also area hotels, restaurants, and attractions.
Gates Four opened in 1967. Since 1974, it’s been under the ownership of the Riddle family, starting with the late J.P. Riddle. The family took a deliberately strategic approach to the development of its golfing community. Originally slated for 900 homes, it is just now opening 300 lots in its final phase. Architect Willard Byrd designed the 18-hole course in 1967, and in 2011, it was redesigned by Kris Spence. New bent-grass greens, restored bunkers and pine-tree-lined fairways keep it on the list of top courses. In particular, the U.S. Golf Association-specified greens area consists of a blend of A1/A4 bent grass, providing optimum putting surfaces throughout, no matter the season.
Kevin Lavertu has been the club’s general manager for 15 years. Originally from Maine and a PGA golf professional, his position affords him the means to make a living while indulging his love for golf. PGA golf pros are certified experts in golf instruction, management and operations. He’s been instrumental in hosting other top golfing events at Gates Four, including the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Men’s National Golf Championship, the Cumberland County Golf Championship, plus charity and social golf outings.
Preparations for the 72-hole tournament will begin two to three months before the event. Cleaning, laying sod, adding sand to the bunkers, designing T-shirts, collecting gifts and arranging a possible tour of Fort Bragg are all on the list of things to do. When the golfers arrive, they will have Sunday to practice, followed by four days of 18-holes each.
The charitable contribution made by Gates Four is closing its club to members for the duration of the competition. In addition, rules officials and volunteers need to be organized. There seems to be little standing in the way of Gates Four hosting even larger events in the future. The club has previously handled golf competitions with $200,000 purses. Lavertu’s is confident the club, its knowledgeable staff and the community at large can entertain even larger events going forward.
The NJCAA moves its Division I championship to different locations across the country each year, ensuring it’s fair to all participants and that no golfer has a home-course advantage. The NJCAA is the governing body for two-year college athletics in the U.S. It is the second largest intercollegiate athletic organization in the country behind the National Collegiate Athletic Association NCAA. The NJCAA was founded in 1938, and it includes over 500 member colleges in 44 states with over 70,000 students receiving athletic opportunities in 28 sports.
During the bidding process, the Fayetteville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau escorted the NJCAA representatives around the area. They saw that Fayetteville had the accommodations and amenities to comfortably serve the influx of people. The military connection was another draw. Lavertu conducted the tour of Gates Four for the NJCAA officials. The conclusion was that the course is attractive, and it offered an every-club-in-the-bag challenge for their golfers.
Up & Coming Weekly is excited to follow Gates Four’s journey and provide updates to the community about this wonderful event.