WINTER PARK, Fla. — The Winter Park 9 Golf Course is back open after an unexpected setback forced crews to close many of its holes for months.

An accidental maintenance mistake in April killed large sections of grass almost instantly, leaving the city with a $100,000 repair bill and months of restoration before golfers could return to the historic course.

“It’s a course with plenty of Central Florida history,” Winter Park Parks and Recreation Director Jason Seeley said — and one that nearly faced an even bigger challenge this spring.

Crews quickly realized the damage was too severe for the turf to recover, Seeley said.

“By the time we got a handle on it, it was too, too far gone. The grass on the greens had already deteriorated,” Seeley said.

The $100,000 cost included rebuilding several damaged greens, some of which had already been scheduled for repairs.

During the work, WP9 was forced to limit golf play for months.

Now that the course has fully reopened, golfers say the improvements were worth the wait.

Golfer Michael Mangsen, who has been a member for five years, praised the condition of the course.

“Right now, it’s fantastic. And it’s always been good, you know, except for that one little stint. It’s always been good,” Mangsen said.

The city-owned course, which opened in 1914, has remained a favorite for generations because of its central location and its challenging nine-hole layout. Golf has been played on the site for more than 110 years, making it one of oldest golf courses in Central Florida.

“Well, I love the fact that it’s nine holes walking. So, you get some actual exercise,” golfer Emmett Dingley said.

Former Winter Park Mayor Gary Brewer has played the course for six decades.

During his time as mayor from 1993 to 1997, a proposal to build a museum on 25 acres of the property was defeated, helping preserve the course for future generations.

“And I think the community believed it because they overwhelmingly approved the bond issue for $9 million to purchase this land,” Brewer said.

To help prevent future issues with the grass, city leaders have hired an outside maintenance company to oversee care of the Winter Park Golf Course, including its greens, as the course begins its next chapter.