AAC member says golf division disguised ‘real’ reason for closing of course

An official has suggested that the golf division disguised the “real” reason for the closing of an executive golf course in The Villages.

Amenity Authority Committee member Donna Kempa raised her concern at Wednesday’s meeting regarding the closing of the Hawkes Bay Executive Golf Course.

She said she was “surprised” to read a July 1 internal email from Assistant District Manager Bruce Brown admitting the closure was actually due to a “geologic anomaly.” The public explanation had been that the course was closed for rest and rehabilitation.

Kempa pressed Director of Executive Golf Maintenance Donald Jones about the closing.

Jones said the golf course was nearing its planned reopening date of June 25 when the anomaly was discovered by a member of the mowing crew. However, Kempa quoted the internal email, which indicated the sinkhole had been discovered nearly a month before the planned June 25 opening date.

“You need to tell us this stuff,” Kempa said.

The AAC agreed to an immediate fix for the sinkhole, which will be packed with grout. Jones indicated the course will be needed when trucks haul in the grout.