Dalhousie more than a nationally ranked golf course

In my years of playing golf, I've learned a few lessons.

First, never enter a tournament if you've never played a round of golf before, as I learned during my 195-stroke round in 2004.

Second, work on your driving skills. Otherwise, you'll take up my bad habit of slicing the ball from the driving range onto the 18th hole.

Third, writing about golf is the closest I'll ever come to actually playing the game with any level of success.

Sunday marked the beginning of the qualifying round for a three-day junior amateur tournament at Dalhousie Golf Club. More than 300 youngsters, their families and American Junior Golf Association staff members are expected to attend the event.

The tournament is sure to bring an economic windfall to the city, as visitors from throughout the United States will fill Cape Girardeau's restaurants and hotel rooms for the Dalhousie Junior Championship.

Those attending the tournament at 4763 Cord's Way in Cape Girardeau may notice the beautiful custom homes near Dalhousie, ranked by Golf Digest magazine as the No. 1 course in the state in its 2007-2008 rankings.

In a time when the housing market nationwide is struggling, Dalhousie's three neighborhoods are thriving, according to managing member Cord Dombrowski. Homes built on the properties range from $330,000 to $1.5 million.

Of the lots offered for sale in the Highlands development, 50 of the 90 lots have been sold. After purchasing the lots, homeowners have the option of choosing their own design and floor plan in the only neighborhood of the three that sits adjacent to the golf course.

Once built, Dombrowski said most homes in the Highlands cost between $650,000 and $1.5 million. To date, 15 to 20 homes are occupied or are under construction.

Meanwhile, only two of 26 homes at the Lochs development are unsold, Dombrowski said. Priced between $330,000 and $400,000, construction on the homes began in 2005.

And the third development, the Enclave, sits adjacent to Dalhousie Manor clubhouse and mimics the Manor's style and landscaping plan. These European-style homes are parceled into three pods, with four homes in each pod. Construction began in July and when the first pods went up for sale shortly afterward, the first pod sold out within three weeks. These homes are priced at around $750,000.

Golf Week in 2007 named Dalhousie as one of the top 120 golf communities. Dombrowski said he has received advance notice Dalhousie's neighborhoods have cracked the top 100 list of this year's rankings.

"What is amazing is that out of 3,500 to 4,000 golf communities in the country, we were ranked so high," Dombrowski said. "We are doing well because those who move out here know what they're getting for what they pay for. To be considered in the top 120 is a testament to those who have bought property here."

* Massage therapy shop opens: At times, my muscles are a bit stiff after a long day at the office. Thankfully, my wife takes care of massaging the kinks out of my neck and shoulders. But for those of you without a significant other or if you just want a professional handling the job, Healing Hands Therapeutic Massage may have your answer.

The business at 2029 Independence St. in Cape Girardeau offers a wide array of options including foot baths, chair massages and deep tissue massages. The business, which opens today, will operate Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with appointments available until 9 p.m. Future plans may include massage therapy classes by professionals on Sundays.

Owner Lisa Douglas said opening the business is a dream come true.

"I put my heart and soul into creating this dream and now am giving it a try."

* Workforce receives national ranking: Staffing Industry Analysts research and analysis firm has named Workforce Solutions as one of the top 50 fastest-growing staffing firms in the United States. The company, which serves such businesses as Holcim's cement plant in Ste. Genevieve, Mo., and the Jackson Rubbermaid facility, had to average a minimum of 25 percent annual growth from 2003 to 2007 to qualify for the ranking.

Joe Rozier, vice president of business development, credited his employees' dedication to meeting their clients' demands in the present economic climate.

"We could only influence those factors we had control of in this current business climate, and that is understanding the needs of our client companies and meeting those needs in the most timely manner possible," Rozier said. "Our entire company accepted this challenge and this has influenced the growth of our company."

Business reporter Brian Blackwell can be reached at 335-6611, extension 137, or bblackwell@semissourian.com.