Barry Vermillion

Work at the Pioneer Golf Course at Texas Woman’s University seems to be going on all over the course. The new sod recently installed on the greens of Nos. 7, 8, 16, and 17 are tended daily with the results clearly visible as the Premier Bermuda is growing in and greening up as expected. Trees are being trimmed and pruned only when and where necessary. Gravel has been placed on portions of the back nine cart path.

But the project areas most of us have been watching with anxious anticipation to have completed are the new clubhouse and the maintenance barn that will house the 43 new golf carts that have already been purchased by the university.

Most of the exterior work on the structure of the new clubhouse is done though it will probably be a couple of more weeks, according to course superintendent Tom Roese, before the building will be completely functional.

Post holes are being dug to erect a fenced area for temporary cart placement and storage if needed before the maintenance building is finished. The city of Denton has already installed an all weather power center for charging carts and will supply electricity for the building.

Roese said the gas well drainage lake between the fairways of No. 18 and 4 will receive a face-lift of sorts. The work has already begun to clear away unsightly overgrowth with plans to remove the fence surrounding the area once the lakeside has been landscaped.

Those “sand” bunkers that have always aggravated us regular golfers at Pioneer that have been practically ignored for years will be filled, or partially filled, becoming mown grass bunkers, or swales.

Every time I have the opportunity to visit and especially play the Pioneer course these days the more convinced I become that the Texas Woman’s University regents, board of directors, university staff, and golf course staff are working hard every day to restore our beloved golf course. Once again she’s become a diamond in the rough.

DRC Golfer Survey 2008

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Lake Park Men’s Golf Association results

The Lake Park Men’s Golf Association tournament played at Lake Park Golf Course July 26 results: gross score- 1. Jon Albrecht, 70; 2. Scott Parker, 70; 3. Alan Magill, 72. Net score- 1. Russell Smeed, 67; 2. Dion Skelton, 68; Frank Sypniewski, 68.

Closest to the pin winners- no. 3, Bobby McKenzie; 5 and 7, Scott Parker; 15, Bill Lambert; 17, Wayne Snider.

Player of the Year standings to date: 1. Jon Albrecht, 2. Alan Magill, 3. J.D. Elledge, 4. Steve Hancock, 5. Chris Rhodes, 6. Scott Higginbotham, 7. Bobby McKenzie, 8. Russell Smeed, 9. Ray Russo, 10. Frank Sypniewski.

Landmark Bank Open at WinStar Golf Course

The Landmark Bank Open first round is being played today at the WinStar Golf Course in Thackerville, Okla.

The field totals 99 players including past champions on the Adams Golf Pro Tour  — Michael Smith and Andrew Dahl.  Other notables include Brad Gibson, Greg Sonnier, Shaun Melville, Andrew Dresser (who played in this year’s U.S. Open), Tyler Leon (Oklahoma State graduate and player), Michael Arnaud, Brice Garnett, and Justin Bates — all are in the top 25 on the Tour’s money list.

Some local professional and amateur golfers in the field include Harris Graham and Brad Gibson of Denton, Chris Myers and Brian Dwyer of Southlake, Robert Rumble of Lewisville, Justin Hogue of The Colony, and Zach Claxton and Russell Bullock of Gainesville.

The total purse is $75,000 with $15,000 awarded to the tournament winner.

After 36 holes the field will be cut to the top 40 players and ties with the final round to be played Sat. Aug 2.

If you are interested in volunteering or being a caddy for a pro, call WinStar Golf Course for more details at 580-276-1240.

For more information about the tournament and how to get free spectator tickets contact Russell Bullock at 580-238-8632 or by email at russell.bullock@chickasaw.net .

BARRY VERMILLION can be reached at 940-566-6890. His email address is bvermillion@dentonrc.com  . For more area golf news log on to www.dentonrc.com/sports/golf   . If you have any area golf news, events, or want to submit your name for the Golfer Profile, call or email the details to golf@dentonrc.com .