ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, May 26, 1996 TAG: 9605290058
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-9 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: GOLF
SOURCE: RANDY KING
Now that he owns a trifecta of Smith Mountain Lake courses, developer Ron Willard's next parlay will be turning the fast-growing lake community into a bonafide golf community.
``I really think one day we can use the word `mecca' when it comes to Smith Mountain golf,'' Willard said. ``Like everywhere else, the demand for golf courses at the lake is becoming stronger and stronger. And to keep up with those needs, we're going to need more places to play.''
With his recent purchase of Chestnut Creek, Willard now carries the deeds to three Smith Mountain golf courses. He already owned The Waterfront, which opened in 1978, and Water's Edge, which teed up in 1988.
``Counting Mariners Landing [a non-Willard holding on the Bedford County side of the lake], we have four quality courses at Smith Mountain,'' Willard said.
``In the future, I see room for a couple more. I have another tract of land I'm holding for a course, plus I have an option on another farm where another course could be built. If the need continues to grow, I can see maybe five or six courses on the lake in the foreseeable future.''
Willard said the demand for golf at the lake has mushroomed to a point where he couldn't pass up the opportunity to purchase Chestnut Creek, which opened with nine holes in 1988 and added a second nine in 1992. Unlike The Waterfront and Water's Edge, Chestnut Creek is a semi-private facility, meaning it's open for public play.
``There will be no change in that,'' Willard said. ``Because our other two clubs were private, we found ourselves sending Chestnut Creek quite a lot of business because people want to play golf. So we've been missing a lot of the action. Not anymore, though. Now when we send people to Chestnut Creek, we'll get some of the revenue.
``Let's face it, Smith Mountain Lake is wide-open for a semi-private course.''
Willard, always known as a man with a penchant for perfection, has a list of improvements planned for Chestnut Creek.
``I'm going to spend some money on the golf course, make some changes that will make people happy,'' he said. ``It's what I'd call a little rough around the edges. I don't see any immediate changes in the layout of the course, but it does need a lot of work in things like storm-water control. Also, I want to change how the memberships are set up. I'd like to get the membership up to 300 or so.''
Willard said he plans to change the name of the facility to Westlake Country Club.
``The potential is great,'' said Willard, who is considering a number of resumes from potential head pros at his new club. ``There were 22,000 rounds of golf played there last year, and that's at a club that was pretty much in a depressed state.''
As soon as he can whip his new course into the shape he wants, Willard has plans to launch a top-notch lake tournament.
``It will be the Smith Mountain Lake Open,'' Willard said. ``It will be a 54-hole tournament, with one round at each of the three courses. With the pull of golfers we're now getting out of Roanoke, we should be able to put together a first-class show.''
SAND BLASTS: Hot Springs native Mark Fry has been named director of The Homestead Resort's Golf Advantage School. Fry formerly worked as an assistant professional at Roanoke Country Club. ... Lexington's David Brogan finished second in last week's Townes Lea Invitational at Danville Golf Club. Brogan shot even-par 140 to finish one shot back of winner Arlis Pike of Kernersville, N.C. Roanoker Jeff Lynch finished in the top 10, at 144. ...
The team of Jay Hardwick, Eddie Hearp, Pam Monk and Harold Yates shot 9-under to win the recent Hokie Spring Swing Golf Classic. The event raised more than $10,000 in scholarship money for Virginia Tech's golf team. In the past 10 years, the tournament has generated more than $80,000 for Hardwick's squad. ... The VSGA's 11th Senior Stroke Play Championship - otherwise known as the Bob Moyers Invitational - will be played June 3-4 at River Bend in Great Falls. Moyers, a 61-year-old manufacturer's representative from New Market, has claimed the title four of the past five years. Don Foster, who finished second by a stroke to winner Jim Kite in 1994, looms as the top threat among early area entries.
LENGTH: Medium: 79 linesby CNB