By STEVE HUFFMAN
GIBSONVILLE – The owners of Country Hills Golf Course on Hicone Road are revamping their facility to include a new practice facility and fitness center.
Both should are expected to be opened by mid-May.
A driving range has been part of the course since it opened in 1994. But the range and its clubhouse are close to a half-mile from the pro shop. The clubhouse at the range hasn’t been opened in about 10 years.
Since the closing of the clubhouse, golfers get their range balls at the main pro shop, then drive through the Country Hills subdivision to the range.
That’ll change come mid-May. The clubhouse at the driving range will be staffed and an aqua range will also be opened.
An aqua range features islands with pins that golfers take aim at. They hit floating balls. A traditional driving range will also continue to be part of the facilities at Country Hills.
The exact hours the range clubhouse will be staffed remains undecided, said Melody Bryant, who owns Country Hills with husband Chris Bryant.
“We’ll see what the public wants,” she said. “What we have a need for, we’ll make sure someone is there.”
That’s not the only new thing planned for the 1,100-square-foot range clubhouse at Country Hills. A fitness center will also be opened there. Free weights, weight machines and treadmills will be part of the new operation.
Melody Bryant said memberships to the fitness center will be offered. She said she and her husband are hoping the fitness center will be a particular draw for residents of the Country Hills subdivision, which includes about 70 houses. It’s hoped neighbors from outside the subdivision will also join.
“We’ve seen a lot of interest from people around here,” Bryant said.
If there’s enough demand, a personal trainer will be hired to work at the fitness center.
She said she and her husband are considering offering memberships to the driving range like they’ll be offering memberships to the fitness center. Justin Treadway is currently giving lessons at the driving range and offers customers the opportunity for him to accompany them for nine holes of golf and instruction.
Country Hills plays 5,873 yards from its championship tees. The greens were upgraded to Champion Bermuda grass last summer. Fairways feature Hybrid 419 bermudagrass.
Country Hills is northeast of Greensboro, near Northeast Guilford High School.
