By Tara Fischer

Staff Writer

(April 2, 2026) While major improvements continue to be made at the Ocean Pines Golf Course, officials say February’s winter storm has caused planned bulkhead work to be postponed until after summer.

At the Ocean Pines Association Board of Directors meeting this week, OPA General Manager John Viola reported that the multi-phase irrigation overhaul remains in “green” status, with phase two expected to wrap up in early April.

The community has been working to replace the site’s 50-year-old failing system. Phase one included work on hole one, the fourth tee, hole nine, the practice range, and the pump station. The second stage began in December, and by the time it’s complete, holes 1 through 10 and 18, the main pumping station, and the practice green will have been updated.

“[The golf course superintendent] has told me we’re on track. You can see the work being done,” Viola said. He added that crews are currently working on hole 10.

The next phase will address holes 11 through 17. Viola said that he will come before the board with more detailed plans at a later date.

The irrigation project has already completed its first phase for $934,000. Phase two was budgeted at $810,500. Viola said that progress has remained steady despite winter weather challenges.

Bulkhead work at the course is also progressing. Construction began last month at the pond on hole 18, a project approved at $141,375 with Fisher Marine Construction. Viola said the improvement will play a key role in supporting the new irrigation system by increasing water retention.

“That bulkhead is also aiding in the amount of water that we’ll be able to retain for this irrigation system, which will minimize, if not hopefully eliminate, but it will definitely minimize the amount of water we take out of the aquifer,” he said. “That is big for this association, big for the Eastern Shore. It won’t be this golf course that’s pulling on the aquifer.”

However, a second bulkhead project at hole 16 for $75,000 has been postponed until the fall to prioritize spring course readiness following delays caused by February’s snow and wind storm. Viola said while the original plan was to have both initiatives completed in succession while the vendor was onsite, the contractor is working with the association to adjust the timeline.

Golf course improvements continue to be a priority for the association. In February, OPA approved several capital investments for the golf course, including new equipment.

At its Feb. 28 meeting, the board signed off on three pieces of equipment from Burke Equipment Company: a $26,477 utility tractor, an $80,828 Holland loader, and a $24,343 range picker.