A Mesquite golf course is getting ready to close for six months for the biggest renovation it's seen in 50 years.
The Mesquite Golf Club is expected to shut down Monday and be closed until mid-September. The $2 million makeover, the course's first since its 1964 opening, includes new greens and facility upgrades.
"We've played this course probably 20 years and it is a lot better than it was 20 years ago, but it's still grainy on the greens a little bit," golfer Cary Sande said.
The city said the renovations are long overdue. A better product can increase the number of rounds played at the public course, which are currently about 35,000 each year.
Cliff Keheley, city parks and recreation director, said the course improvements are not just on the greens.
"We're making improvements to lengthen the course for the experienced golfer," he said. "Plus, we're shortening the course for the newer golfers -- the juniors and family golfers -- trying to appeal to the entire golf spectrum."
But some residents, such as Brad Underwood, are concerned about the money for the renovation.
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"Two million dollars is still a lot of money when we've got a lot of other areas that have needs," he said. "We don't have time to be buying Beluga caviar and Dom Pérignon champagne. We need to apply it to the things that are practical."
The city said it plans to get golfers back into the swing of things without raising prices.
"As long as they don't raise the rates, then that's great," Sande said. "Hopefully, they'll be able to keep their rates about the same so the golfers don't end up paying for the renovation."
The renovations are supposed to be completed in mid- September, depending on how fast the new turf grows.
"It ought to be in pretty good shape when it's done," golfer Ron Shimek said.
