By Betsy Finklea
The City of Dillon Municipal Golf Course has had a busy past several months.
According to Todd Hayes of the Dillon Municipal Golf Course, ten tournaments have been held in recent months with approximately 500 participants. These tournaments have ranged from charity events to club tournaments. In May, a seniors tournament was held with approximately 90 participants, and in June, a juniors tournament was held at the course.
The process of continuing to improve the course is ongoing. Hayes said they decided not to overseed this year because they have more play in the summer months than the winter months. They have been spraying for Bermuda grass and are hopeful that a good spray program will get out the weeds and give golfers a good, clean course.
One project they are working on is taking all of the par 3’s and re-doing a tee box each year.
There are four tee boxes on par 3.
Last year, when the city took over the course was cleaned well and big improvements were made. They are now in the maintaining process.
DNR has been out looking at the pond, and a fishing rodeo for youth is being looked into.
Mayor Todd Davis said the course is good marketing tool for the county.
“Without the golf course, the economic development director along with the realtors will have one less thing to sell Dillon County. (Former Economic Development Director) Gene Butler once told me that when he had a prospect one of the first places he would show was the Wellness Center. The reason is that he was proud to show an outsider what the City of Dillon has invested in for the community. The City of Dillon does not really have an economic development arm, but we do have a place in economic development and that is from a quality of life standpoint,” said Davis.
“If Dillon County did not have a golf course that is one less reason for a family to call Florence home and not Dillon. If you don’t believe me that go ask a realtor or our current Economic Development Director Tonny McNeil the role a golf course plays in your community,” Davis said.
