The renovations, which are expected to total approximately $2 million, were approved by the Big Spring City Council more than a year ago, and according to Assistant City Manager Todd Darden, should provide a pleasant — yet challenging — surprise for the golfing community.

“I really think it will bring a whole new challenge to the golfers. Jack (Birdwell, golf club pro) said it's going to be fun for a guy like me who isn't an avid golfer,” said Darden. “It's going to be challenging. Adding the length to the course was the biggest change golfers will see when they play out here. We also added some hazards out on the course, including a lot of new sand hazards. It forces the golfer to really think about his shot when there's a bunker set at a strategic location, and you have to cojnsider the probability of the ball landing in that trap. There are 27 new sand bunkers added to the course.

“There have been some pretty big changes to the arrangement of the course. Before, you started on a Par 3 on the front nine and started with a Par 3 on the back nine, which made it hard to time and stage your tee-offs. Now, we're basically starting the old No. 2 hole and changed the Par 3 on the back nine to hole No. 11, which will allow for better tee management for our golfers.”

According to Mayor Russ McEwen, funding for the project was made possible through a guaranteed energy plan the city signed with Siemens, keeping the cost off the shoulders of the golfers and city taxpayers.

“There will be no increases in fees to the players or increases in taxes to the taxpayers as a direct result of these renovations,” said McEwen shortly after announcing the renovation project in 2006. “In future years there may be increases in trail fees and other areas, but they would have been necessary even if we didn’t renovate the course.”

Darden said the city was able to stretch the $2 million budget thanks to help from city work crews.

“The city's public works crews really deserve a lot of thanks for making this happen,” said Darden. “Everyone — 110 employees in 15 departments — gave 100 percent, and without them the things that got done on this course would not otherwise have been completed. We really have a talented crew within public works. We took care of all the earth moving and site clearing, so all the contractor had to do was come in and do the shaping.”

Darden said the reaction he's getting from area golfers that have seen the new course are very positive.

“The feedback I'm getting from the public — the people who have come out here and appreciate what's been done to our city course — is good,” said Darden. “It's something they can be proud of. This is their course, and they had a hand in this. It really is something for the people of Big Spring to be proud of.

“If Russ McEwen hadn't been mayor, I'm not too sure this project would have ever happened. He has a passion for this town — even this golf course — and he wants to see our city grow. He knows we're going to have to compete against other cities to attract people to Big Spring. I certainly thank the rest of the council for their part in this project, but I feel like the mayor was the thrust behind getting this project off the ground.”

Tee-time reservations can be made for Sunday's grand opening by calling 264-2366.

Contact Staff Writer Thomas Jenkins at 263-7331 ext. 232 or by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it