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Hernando Today

Golf course undergoes revival

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By TONY HOLT

Hernando Today

Published: November 3, 2009

SPRING HILL - A reopening didn't appear likely last June - certainly not within five months.

That was what Tim Spangler, the pro shop manager at Seven Hills Golfers Club, thought when the doors were shut and his bosses left an accusatory letter posted on the front doors.

"Due to an ailing economy and lack of support from our staff, residents and customers, we have been forced to close our doors indefinitely," the letter stated.

Spangler since has supervised the landscaping improvements at the clubhouse as word was passed three months ago that the course would reopen.

"I was on vacation at the time the decision was made," said Spangler, recalling the moment in early August he heard about the reopening. "When I got back, they already had maintenance working on it."

He said even after the short hiatus, there was a lot of work that needed to be done to the 18-hole course along Mariner Boulevard and Fairchild Road.

"You can't let anything go for a period of time without seeing any adverse affects," Spangler said.

The way it looks today compared to how it looked in late July is like "night and day," he said.

The course officially will reopen at 7 a.m. Friday, Nov. 13.

Residents and surrounding businesses also are satisfied with the way the course currently looks compared to last summer.

"It was like living in a home in a nice community and having a renter next door who doesn't take care of his property," said Stacey Laviano, who owns Care One of Florida, an urgent-care clinic across the street along Mariner.

The owner and general manager - Mike and Jim Kashanahan - also own Spring Hill Golf and Country Club off Coronado Drive. They are planning to lease it out to a prospective management group, said Spangler.

Neither Mike nor Jim Kashanahan could be reached for comment Tuesday.

Spangler said the reasons behind the closing were the combination of a slow economy and "internal issues" among employees.

He declined to go into detail, but said "some things just needed reorganizing."

The closing of both country clubs dealt a crushing blow to the local golf industry. Two retailers - Divots Golf Shop and Golf Etc. - shut their doors during the last two months.

"Anytime you just pull the plug on something, you're going to have a little animosity from people," said Spangler, referring to the negative comments made by nearby residents who were worried about plunging property values. "Most of us realize now that it's a win-win situation. Either you want the course because you golf there or because you like living beside it."

The course is semi-private, but memberships won't begin again until late 2010, he said.

There will be a bigger focus on the 135-seat dining area, which will have a full-time cook staffing it at all times during business hours - which are from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days per week.

"That's something we haven't really done in the past," Spangler said.

The Seven Hills revival will come four days after the reopening of Ridge Manor Oaks Country Club - formerly known as Whispering Oaks.

Ridge Manor Oaks, located near State Road 50 east of Interstate 75, closed nearly two years ago after the former owners slipped behind in their taxes and were unable to attract new members.

A new buyer came along earlier this year and more than 125 lifetime memberships were sold to nearby residents.

A reopening ceremony is scheduled for 7:30 a.m. Monday.

Reporter Tony Holt can be reached at 352-544-5283 or wholt@hernandotoday.com.

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