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Letter to the editor

Largo Explorer: Largo Golf Course

After a $1.8-million makeover, the outlook is pretty sunny at the Largo Golf Course.

By RITA FARLOW, Times Staff Writer
Published January 27, 2008

Tom Deja chips onto the green at the 18th hole. During the renovation, the front and back nine holes were flipped. Golfers now start and end at the clubhouse, nearer the cafe and their cars.
	[Atoyia Deans | Times]

ADVERTISEMENT [Atoyia Deans | Times] Golfers rave about the look and feel of the new putting greens and fairway lawns. [Atoyia Deans | Times] Steve Bergren of Clearwater tees off on the renovated Largo Golf Course. The course was closed for almost a year during the work. [Atoyia Deans | Times] John Michael, left, Ted McKissack and John Doiron have drinks at Golf View Cafe after a round with other players from Teakwood Village West Mobile Home Park.

Where: 12500 Vonn Road

Price: $28.89 with cart, $18.19 without cart.

Reservations: Online or by phone.

* * * 

I like golf. Really, I do.

I'm especially fond of the part that comes after all the holes have been played, the cart is turned in and the spikes are cleaned. That's when it's time to head back to the clubhouse for a beer.

Okay, so maybe I prefer beer to golf, but that's just me. But I found there's still plenty to like about the city-owned golf course on Vonn Road.

After a $1.8-million renovation that included new landscaping, superior greens and an updated irrigation system, the course is busier than ever, said manager Don Brannon.

I asked Brannon for a tour and he showed me the works, from the pro shop inside the clubhouse to the 18th hole.

We hopped into one of the electric golf carts and zoomed down a concrete path. He showed me how the front and back nine holes were flipped during the renovation, so golfers now start and end at the clubhouse, nearer the cafe and their cars.

Like a proud papa, Brannon pointed out the new TifEagle grass on the putting greens. The Bermuda grass variety is known for being cold- and drought-tolerant, and disease resistant.

"Everybody raves about our new greens," he said. "If you've got good greens, golfers will play."

And they have, he said. The course has seen an 11 percent increase in the number of rounds played in the fall of 2007 compared with the fall of 2005.

Scheduling tee times is even easier now, Brannon said, because patrons can go online or call in on an automated phone system.

Can't distinguish a wedge from a driver? Not to worry, a professional golfer will give you lessons at your own speed, Brannon said.

Along our route, golfers in polo shirts and visors waved and said hello, pulling their carts to the side so we could pass.

It was nearing lunchtime as we headed back to the clubhouse. Luckily for me, the friendly staff at the Golf View Cafe was ready for my order as soon as I walked in the door. I ordered a sandwich and went outside. Too early for happy hour, I abstained from the cold brew calling to me from across the restaurant.

Lunch -- a hot ham and cheese on toasted rye bread with potato salad -- was tasty and reasonably priced.

I sat outside, where the weather was close to perfection, and toyed with the idea of trying golf.

It's a great sport, Brannon said, because it's accessible to people of all ages. His words got me thinking about scheduling a lesson with the course's resident pro.

But I'm more tempted to head back to the cafe for a cold one on that sunny patio.

Rita Farlow can be reached at farlow@sptimes.com or (727) 445-4162.

To make a tee time

To reserve a tee time through the automated system, call 475-5108 or go to www.computee.net/?AA=1100. A PIN code is required and can by obtained by going to the Internet site or calling the Largo Golf Course at (727) 518-3024.

[Last modified January 27, 2008, 01:12:18]