PLAYING GOLF AT WATERVILLE — Golf course ranger Hoyt “Hack” Longwith, left, talks with golfers Neta and Eddie Graves during an early-morning round of golf Thursday at Cleveland’s Waterville Golf Course. Neta Graves is retired from the Bradley County school system, and her husband is retired from the U.S. Forest Service. The golf course had been closed since April 1, due to state’s Dalton Pike widening project. Banner photo, LARRY C. BOWERS
The city of Cleveland’s Waterville Golf Course is open and ready for play.
The golf course was closed from April 1 through July 1 in connection with work on the widening of Dalton Pike, which dissects the golfing complex.
The front nine holes, on the east side of Dalton Pike, was opened for play on July 1 and has received moderate activity. Course manager Jimmy Tatum said these nine holes were maintained during the shutdown and this section of the golf course “is in great shape.”
The layout of the front nine will remain the same as it has been in the past. The back nine will be completely rebuilt, since the state’s widening of Dalton Pike takes the old 10th and 18th holes, and the green on No. 17.
A new, high-tech irrigation system and pumping station has been installed, as well as the construction of a new maintenance facility on the east side of the golf course adjacent to the sixth green.
The city has also added a snack bar in the clubhouse, and there is a screened in area and concrete patio at the rear of the clubhouse.
Work has begun on the layout and construction of the new final nine holes. These holes have to be rearranged due to the loss of the two holes on the east side of Dalton Pike. Tatum said Thursday that he expects the new holes to be open during the summer months of 2011.
Scheduled events will be limited this year, since only nine holes will be available for public play.
Green fees (with a cart) are $26 through the week and $30 on the weekend. The golf course is open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
