Tara club completes golf course renovation

TARA — Golfers at Tara Golf & Country Club have been counting the days until they’ll be able to return home again.

Now, after nearly eight months, that moment is only five days away. On Dec. 1, Tara will unveil its newly renovated golf course — giving residents the opportunity to play on their home course once again.

“Golf allows you to go out and meet people, said John Mihocik, head of the golf committee. “It’s nice to be able to get back on your home course.”

During a grand opening celebration, residents, country club staff and dignitaries will get to play the course for the first time.

“I just can’t wait for their reactions,” Tara PGA Golf Professional Missy Williams said. “Everyone is so excited. It’s been tough on them. They’re sick of having to go elsewhere to play.

“They’ve had to travel all over creation to play the game that they love,” she said. “They’ve been so patient, and now, they just want to be back home.”

The grand opening will begin with a shotgun start at 1:15 p.m. Additionally, golfers will be able to compete in several contests, including beat the professional and closest to the pin, among others. A buffet lunch will also be available.

Tara began its $6.2 million golf course and clubhouse renovation project April 13. The project included a complete overhaul of the course: rebuilding of all the greens with TifEagle grass so they are up to United States Golf Association standards; replacement of the irrigation system, which had been in place for the past 20 years; and renovation of the clubhouse.

The club had been planning the project for some time, but at the time Tara presented the project to members, the housing market began to decline. Luckily, the economy allowed the club to get more affordable prices on contractors and supplies.

The course and clubhouse closed in mid-April. Since then, Tara has been offering tours of the course to members three to four times weekly. On Nov. 13-14, about 500 residents and guests caught their first glimpse of the renovated clubhouse, which includes new décor, flooring, lighting and a refurbished bar, among other features.

“The members are just excited to get back here,” Tara General Manager Tony Greising said. “We’ve been trying to keep them off the course so there are no issues with damage or liability because that’s been a construction site for (eight months).

“We’re really excited to get reopened and have our members come back,” he said. “The club is a community center, so not only are they excited about the club reopening, but they’re also really excited to see their friends and neighbors again.”

Residents wishing to reserve a tee time for the grand opening can do so by calling the club at 756-7775. For more information on Tara Golf & Country Club, visit its Web site at www.taragcc.com.

Contact Jen Blanco at [email protected].