Allen Courses at Watters Creek opens Saturday after one year of renovations

Attendees can meet PGA Tour and Champions Tour winner D.A. Weibring.

Photo courtesy of the city of Allen

The Courses at Watters Creek, formerly known as Chase Oaks, will reopen Saturday after more than a year's worth of renovations.

ALLEN — Allen's municipal golf course will welcome its first players in more than a year when it reopens Saturday.

The Courses at Watters Creek, which was formerly known as Chase Oaks and has been undergoing renovations since October 2011, will premiere a new 18-hole course along with a driving range and a short-game practice facility that features three chipping greens.

Watters Creek will eventually include two additional, shorter courses. A six-hole course and nine-hole course will be available for play in August. The six-hole course will focus on a player's short game and feature holes ranging in length from 45 to 110 yards.

The 18-hole course opening Saturday is titled Traditions.

"We tried to make it for all players," said Jeff Mues, senior marketing coordinator for the parks and recreation department. "The primary complaints about the old course were that it was too difficult. We aimed for increased playability and faster play."

Photo courtesy of the city of Allen

An 18-hole course will be available for play on opening day, while two more courses will be added by August.

The courses were created by Weibring-Wolfard Golf Design, who also renovated Pecan Hollow golf course in Plano and Royal Oaks Country Club in Dallas. D.A. Weibring, one of the designers and a 10-time PGA Tour and Champions Tour winner, will be on hand Saturday to talk about the courses and the renovation process at Watters Creek.

"We've done so much underbrushing," said Jeff Holt, golf services manager. "We've cleaned up the creek area and cleared up lots of debris. It's just a clean-looking golf course."

Holt said the new course features fewer forced carries, or hazards that cannot be avoided and must be shot over.

Scheduled Activities:

· 7-9 a.m. Complimentary Coffee/Doughnuts in Grill 33 (Open to all)

· 10 a.m., 12 p.m., 2 p.m. Pavilion Chat with D.A. Weibring - Learn about the new courses and their transformation from one of the course designers, 10-time PGA Tour and Champions Tour winner D.A. Weibring (Open to all)

· 10-11 a.m. First Tee Clinic Demonstration (Clinic open to public viewing but not participation)

· 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Live broadcast of 1310 The Ticket's The Teebox Golf Show, hosted by Rick Arnett and Craig Rosengarden

On-going Opening Day Specials:

· Chance prize drawings on the hour. Check in at the pro shop and provide email address to be eligible. Additional entries will be provided with each transaction at the course. (Open to all)

· Merchandise discounts for opening-day players (only those playing eligible)

· Dog and Suds Special. Receive a ¼ lb Nathan's hot dog and a 16 oz. beer $5 (Open to all)

The course also includes a range of tee boxes that can alter its length to anywhere between 4,800 to 7,000 yards. That range will allow players to choose a distance tailored to their skill level.

"It's not easier, it's just more playable," he said. "Any golf course out there is a challenge. You have to hit good shots regardless of where you play."

Opening-day events will also include complimentary coffee and doughnuts, prize drawings on the hour, merchandise discounts for those playing a round, and a live broadcast of The Teebox Golf Show heard on 1310 The Ticket.

The current rate for a round of golf is $35 on Monday through Thursday, $42 on Friday and $49 on Saturday, Sunday, and holidays. The use of a golf cart is included in the price.

The course will host Mayor Steve Terrell and other city officials for a round of golf Friday before opening to the public.

The Allen City Council approved a one-year agreement with Golf Resources Management on Tuesday to provide marketing, consulting, and staffing services at the course. GRM will be paid a fixed fee of $100,000 and could receive additional payment through commissions if certain revenue requirements are met.

"If it's a home run, we'll look good," said councilman Ross Obermeyer about the deal. "If it doesn't work out, maybe we'll modify out."

For information on the course or to schedule a tee time, visit www.watterscreekgolf.com.

Watters Creek is located at 7201 Chase Oaks Blvd. alongside U.S. 75.