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Status Quo for Hidden Valley Before Big Changes

thestate.com

http://www.thestate.com/sports

October 28, 2007

Plans to close Hidden Valley Country Club on Nov. 1 for renovation and renaming are on hold, but Puggy Blackmon, one of the principals in the project, says changes to the course near Gaston are not far off.

Blackmon, director of golf for USC's men and women teams, had hoped to begin this week on a total retrofit of the course, to be called Redhawk. "But we’re still in the process of moving forward with everything, and from what I hear from the powers-that-be (Canadian investors), we’re close to doing that," he said.

For now, Hidden Valley remains open. Head professional Chris DeSanty said workers over-seeded greens on Oct. 15 in anticipation of the fall-winter season. Blackmon said renovation work eventually might be done on three, six or nine holes at a time instead of shutting down the course.

"A lot might've thought we would be letting the course go (before renovation begins), but that was never an option or intent," said DeSanty, who is ordering pro shop merchandise (with Hidden Valley logos) and working on membership categories for the immediate future.

Georgia-based course architect Mike Young and partner Charlie Rymer, who played for Blackmon at Georgia Tech before a brief PGA Tour career, are scheduled to do the renovation. Blackmon said pre-sales of some 50 home lots near the course "are going well," according to director of development Tom Walker.

Fees at Hidden Valley remain at $35 before noon and $25 after on weekends, $25 and $18 weekdays, with an $18 special on Mondays. Proposals are being taken from manufacturers on a new fleet of carts, which DeSanty hopes to have in place within a month, and improvements on the clubhouse and food-and-beverage service are planned, he said.

DeSanty said a flyer containing updates will be issued later this week, and available at www.hvgolf.com.

"Right now we're just getting the world out that the course is open, we’re going to get it in good shape and continue business," Blackmon said.

"Hacienda Pinilla is an 18 hole championship links style course with open fairways and challenging winds. Designed by famous architect Mike Young to conform to the natural contours of the land, this 7,274 yard, Par 72 course is truly masterpiece. It is one of the few courses in the world created to face the ocean, and as a result, its coastal layout offers both exhilarating play and absolutely awe-inspiring views."