By STEVE WILLIAMS

WALLBURG – With an expansive practice range now up and running, Old Homeplace Golf Club has marked the end of an improvement project that began a couple of years ago.

The addition of 34 acres to the property enabled the 18-hole course to build two new holes and make room for the 320-yard driving range near the clubhouse.

"We did it mainly as a service," head professional Harold Hoover said. "We want to provide every service we possibly can for the people who play our golf course. We want it to be the best golf course for the money anywhere and we think we’ve done that. We’re now a full-service facility."

Prior to the opening of the driving range in July, golfers could loosen up by hitting balls into a couple of cages. But there’s nothing like being able to hit a bucket of balls and taking the perfected swing to the first tee.

"The majority of the people using the range are playing the course," Hoover said. "But we do have some coming in just for the driving range. Anyone is welcome. You don’t have to play to use the driving range."

The range is located in the area that used to be the 10th and 18th holes. It is a two-tiered area that measures 320 yards deep and 120 yards wide.

"It’s slightly uphill from the tee to the back of the range," Hoover said. "That gives a good perspective on ball flight and distance."

The range includes a couple of target greens and flags marking various distances. The teeing grass is large enough to allow an eight-day rotation. The practice area also has 10 teeing mats that can be used in inclement weather.

The old 18th green is being used as a second practice green and the sand bunkers bordering that green are available for practice.

Lessons are offered by Hoover and assistant pro Henry Lethco.

Old Homeplace opened as Homestead Golf Club in 1993. The name was changed in 1997. Don and Mark Charles designed and built the course and also added the new holes.

"We added a little over 300 yards and an additional set of markers," Green said of the course’s new configuration which went into play in October of 2000. The two new holes play as No. 5 and No. 6 on the scorecard.

What was No. 16 now opens the back nine which now ends on what used to be the par-5 No. 15.

The driving range will operate the same hours as the course.

There are no other plans to make changes to Old Homeplace.

"We just want to maintain the golf course and keep it in really good shape," Hoover said. "Play has been very good."

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