The Hollywood Beach Golf and Country Club will get a $12 million face-lift starting next year.
The course's 18 holes will be reconfigured, a driving range will be added, and additional drainage will be installed. Plus, the entryway, pro shop, clubhouse and restaurant will be relocated to their original spot in the southwest corner of the golf course.
''You are seeing a complete renaissance and redevelopment of the downtown area,'' said Dave Flaherty, Hollywood's parks and recreation director. ''I think it makes a lot of sense to tie the golf course into that.''
The changes are happening because of a wealth of expected Young Circle area development. The city-owned golf course now holds about four acres of water, but an additional 16 acres are needed so storm water from all that future growth has a place to go.
Hollywood resident Dick Sullivan, who has played at the course for the past 12 years, said the links need improvement, particularly new drainage. ''If we get a couple days of heavy rains, we can hardly use the east side of the course,'' Sullivan said.
The city also plans to build a clubhouse at 17th Avenue and Polk Street, the spot Hollywood founder Joseph Young had originally chosen for the structure. Now the golf course's entrance is off Johnson Street.
Bernard Zyscovich, a city consultant, suggested moving the clubhouse closer to downtown Hollywood and Young Circle to tie the sites together.
Flaherty said clubhouse visitors will have ''incredible'' views of several golf holes and the water driving range.
Other improvements include demolishing the 28-unit golf course motel, widening sidewalks, adding new fencing and planting oaks.
A $3.5 million pumping station also will be built on the property to move water from the golf course to North Lake. That cost is not included in the overall $12.4 million price tag.
Duffers will see higher prices when the course comes back online. An $11 surcharge will be added to each round of golf for the next 20 years. About 45,000 rounds of golf are played at the Hollywood Beach Golf and Country Club each year.
''We are still going to be lower than the upscale courses in the area,'' Flaherty said. ''The course will be a little more challenging.''
Last week, commissioners agreed to put out a request for proposals for firms to build the clubhouse and design the golf course.
The golf course will be closed from next April to November or December 2005. Clubhouse construction could start in April and be completed in April 2006.
Source: Miami Herald
