Phil Iannelli

"The most significant change is, the course is going to seem so much larger and more open," said Phil Iannelli, the club's general manager."A lot of trees that were planted 30 years ago had become too big and started to alter the shot values of the course, and those trees were removed."

Iannelli said more than 100 trees were removed, but 125 other trees were either relocated or planted.

The South Course has always been a stern test, challenging enough to play host to the 1971 U.S. Amateur and 2003 U.S. Mid-Amateur.Now it is both longer and shorter than ever before.The back tees on the par-71 layout can stretch to 7,334 yards.But the forward tees are 5,411 yards, making the course appealing to a wider range of golfers.

Iannelli said the lengthening was not done with the intention of hosting another national event.

"That was certainly not the intention, but we have always been a champion of amateur golf," Iannelli said."There has been no discussion with the USGA regarding any future championships, nothing concrete."

The club opened a new teaching facility and practice area last summer.Iannelli said the club's other course could be next in line for improvements.

"We have no concrete plans, but sometime within the next three to five years, the board may start to look at renovating the North Course," Iannelli said.

"As we considered the increases in utility rates in the Delaware market, and the trend of electricity prices increasing yearly by 27 percent to 37 percent the past four years, it was important for us to find a way to save on our electricity costs and keep our prices stable for years to come," said Phil Iannelli, general manager of The Wilmington Country Club.

- Philip S. Iannelli, Wilmington Country Club General Manager "SC&A far surpassed expectations in the construction of the Pine Valley Guest Cottages Project" -J.Robertson Cox, AIA Director of Design