BY JANET C. WETZEL
The Cincinnati Enquirer
MIDDLETOWN -- The $2.1 million Weatherwax Golf Course face lift is finished, despite a lack of cooperation by nature.
But the city's popular, 36-hole municipal course west of town in Madison Township is not out of the rough yet. It's still at the mercy of the elements, said Dave Tieman, golf director.
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The heat is keeping crews busy trying to keep the new bentgrass fairways growing. Weather and drainage problems are forcing the course to close too often, which chips away at revenues, Mr. Tieman said.
But on a day last week -- one made for golf -- nature's fury and closed courses were the last things on the minds of golfers hitting the links at Weatherwax, designed by Toledo golf course architect Arthur Hill. He also handled the redesign for the renovation.
As a Hamilton foursome -- Dr. Carl Palecheck, Tom Webster, Jim Mayer and Dr. Jim Scott -- waited to tee up, they talked about the renovation work.
The course was already above average, said Dr. Palecheck. "But the money was well-spent, because to continue to upgrade the course is valuable. This is a great public facility. I think it deserves to be ranked among the top in the state."
The renovations have "improved the character of the course," said Dr. Scott. "It's a tough course . . . a great value."
Bob Greenwood echoed those sentiments, adding, "I used to live in Cincinnati, and with all the courses around there, you can't believe how many Cincinnati people are faithful to Weatherwax." The course's popularity, coupled with the fact that Southwestern Ohio is becoming somewhat of a regional golf mecca, led the city's Golf Committee to pursue the face lift. Members viewed it essential to keep Weatherwax competitive, said Steve Murphy, the city's public service manager.
And "to play a resort-quality golf course" for $21 regular greens fees for 18 holes weekends and weekdays ($18 for senior citizens and juniors) is "a heck of a deal compared to other prices in the area," Mr. Murphy said.
"This course is an asset to the community" and somewhat of a "cash cow," contributing $100,000 annually to Middletown's general fund, he said.
Annual revenues far exceed $1 million and the course is self-supporting, but revenues have been down in recent years because of the weather and closings for renovations, Mr. Tieman said.
Doug Brownlee who took up the game about three years ago after retiring from Armco, now AK Steel, loves the game and the newly renovated course.
"It was well worth the money," he said. "I think it will all pay off after a while." Ray Panter, 71, of Trenton, a patron since
it opened in 1972, welcomed the improvements, but said some have argued to him the changes were unnecessary and they'd rather keep fees lower.
Mr. Tieman agreed that a few people opposed the project and costs, but the vast majority welcomed the upgrades and recognize their importance, he said.
He recently showed off the course, proudly pointing out the new bentgrass fairways that are more defined and no longer blend in with the rough; larger, elevated tee boxes; new front - women's tee boxes; new bunkers; enlarged ponds, which are now more in play; an enlarged and updated driving range with target greens, the bursts of color in new flower beds; and fountains and floating planters in the pond.
"It's a gorgeous piece of property," Mr. Tieman said. "And our superintendent, Dean Gerdeman, is really a go-getter in keeping it nice. Our goal is to become competitive with the $45 courses," but to stay affordable to average players, he said.
Pointing out standing water in some fairways and brown patches on others, he talked about the work involved to keep the course up to par.
"Our crew has laid more than 20 acres of sod where the new grass didn't grow" or in risky areas, Mr. Tieman said. "But one good growing season should heal it right up."
The project completion was delayed by bad weather from the outset. Conditions improved in fall 1997, then turned bad again.
"The product out there is real nice, but we haven't been able to let people out on the course so much of the time. It's coming around though. If we can get some weather, make some money, I think revenues will jump significantly -- about $200,000 a year, right away."
