KIMBELAND LINKS TO TAKE ON NEW LOOK

JACKSON -- Kimbeland Country Club will be taking on a new look next summer.

A two-phase, $600,000 renovation project has been approved by Kimbeland stockholders, and work will get under way on the yearlong project.

Financing for the project, which includes the purchase of 18 acres adjoining the east boundary of the course, involves a couple of facets. Some golf course property, fronting Highway 61 about 250 feet in depth, has been sold to Mid-America Hotels, which already owns adjacent property in the area. The remaining funds will be paid from $550 assessments, payable over five years by each Kimbeland members.

When completed, in the spring of 1997, the golf course will be a 6,700-yard, 71-par facility, 313 yards longer than the present course.

"We'll be building five new greens," said Dave Clabaugh, president of the Kimbeland Board of Directors. "All greens will be enlarged to approximately 5,500 square feet and will be seeded with a blend of Crenshaw and Cato bent grass."

The No. 4 hole, which is near the highway, will be moved. The Nos. 10 and 11 holes will be moved to make room for the new driving range.

"Two other holes will be redesigned and relocated," said Clabaugh.

Other first-phase improvements include expansion of teeing areas to allow for four sets of tees, about 25 sand traps and a new irrigation pumping station, which will result in a totally automatic system.

The second phase of the project -- sprigging roughs with quick-stand Bermuda grass and resurfacing of all paved areas on the property -- will be completed during the summer of 1997.

"The driving range will be relocated and will include a new 'short-game' practice area," noted Clabaugh. Cart sheds will also be added.

Kimbeland Country Club was established in 1962 as a nine-hole course, but soon expanded to an 18-hole facility.