MILFORD, Del. - The old Rookery golf course in Milford has been given a face lift. The new Southern Delaware Golf Club is almost ready for big swings and tough putts. Director of Agronomy for the club, Bill Kupfer, says that a soft opening of the course will be on Dec. 9.
Kupfer says a lot of work went into restoring the grounds that were neglected for about three years prior to Johnson Company's purchase of the property,
"To come out here nine months ago from the cold February day and just look and to see where we're at now... it's amazing."
Reshaping bunkers, new turf, and improving drainage are just some of the most recent upgrades to the grounds. But the renovations did not come with out its rough patches.
"Mother nature was not kind to us. It was up and down. Spring and summer was dry at points but then super wet at other times. So as we were planting these different types of grasses, it was a struggle." said Kupfer.
Milford locals like Thomas Summers, are eager to see the refurbished course brought back to life from it's previous iteration as an overgrown abandoned lot,
"I'm excited to see the golf course reopen. It's another recreational opportunity for people moving in this area and of course there's tons of people that are actually moving here."
Kupfer says that they will begin to start planting more trees around the course in the spring, when the course and restaurant are expected to open.