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Public enjoying new challenges on freshly renovated golf course

By NICOLE HUTCHESON
Published April 18, 2007

LARGO - After months of delay, golfers are finally able to play on the city's revamped golf course.

The renovated course at 12500 Vonn Road was to reopen in late 2006. But that was put on hold because grass along the course had not grown in enough.

Now it has, and golfers like the course's new hills, additional trees and fresh layout.

Since opening April 2, the course has been busy, said Don Brannon, the manager of the Largo Golf Course. The capacity is about 330 rounds a day. So far the course has had up to 277 rounds in a day.

Dennis Price, 84, has played the course for 18 years and says he really likes the new trees. They make "some holes a little tougher," said Price, who likes to play weekly. "But that's what I like about it."

Before the renovations, Price, an Indian Rocks resident, would travel as far as Tampa to play.

The $1.8-million renovation began in April 2006. The improvements include extending the 18-hole, par-62 course by 100 yards, adding more than 400 trees and a concrete paved golf cart course. New bunkers and berms were also added, and the entire course was relandscaped, adding more rolling hills.

Greens fees have gone up with the renovations. Now 18 holes and a cart in peak season cost $27, compared with $24 before, said Joan Byrne, city director of parks, recreation and arts.

Fast Facts:

Largo Golf Course

- Golfers can now schedule tee times online at www.computee.net/?AA=1100 or by calling (727) 475-5108. To obtain a PIN code, call the Largo Golf Course at (727) 518-3024.

- The revamped restaurant in the clubhouse has a new name and new offerings.

- A new bathroom now sits at the 10th hole where a portable used to be.

- What used to be Hole 10 is now Hole 1, which means golfers now start and end their games at the clubhouse.

[Last modified April 18, 2007, 03:01:08]