Jerry Jarrell photo - Hidden Trails County Club superintendent Charlie Botlegieo inspects the progress of the new mini verde bermuda sprigs recently planted on holes 10 through 18. The undertaking to improve green conditions is on schedule and play is expected to resume on the renovated turf by the end of July.

Daily Statesman Sports Editor

Time flies and it's a good thing for the membership at Hidden Trails County Club in Dexter.

The new greens project that has closed the back nine is on track and nearly two weeks into the 6-8 week time frame set before the holes will be opened back up to regular play.

The massive and expensive under taking that will transform the old bermuda greens to a new variety of mini verde bermuda grass was made possible by donations from the members and area businesses. But the bulk of the project's success falls on the shoulders of the club's superintendent, Charlie Botlegieo.

"It's not as scary as one might think," the 34-year-old Botlegieo said when asked about killing off the golf course's old greens. "I've been through some renovation projects in my time and I helped with the growing of Dalhousie (golf club in Cape Girardeau) so this project isn't much different. I guess the scariest thing is hoping that your staff will hold up and stay with you to see it through."

The need for new greens came down to a matter of time and old age. The greens were the original one put down back in 1978, according to Botlegieo.

"The old greens were very grainy and had a lot of organic matter and thatch that had built up over the years," he said. "Once the greens reach a certain age, it is nice to go in and resurface and get a new start on your organic matter and remove the old thatch layer and relieve some the grain so you'll have a better putting surface."

Botlegieo said the project appears to be on track, and the new bermuda sprigs are off to a good start. The club is looking to reopen the back nine towards the end of July. The planting took place to take advantage of the peak growing season for bermuda grass and to expedite the process.

"We had one long week of prep work getting the old turf removed and preparing the base for the sprigs," Botlegieo commented. "So far all we've been able to do to them is heavy watering. We've put down three pounds of nitrogen and sprayed some organics on them to help with the roots, but right now it's slow just watching them grow."

Botlegieo, who has a degree from Three Rivers Community College in Ag-business, is a native of Piedmont and is married to his wife, Michelle. He was a course superintendent in Piedmont from 1997 to 1999 before becoming an assistant at the Cape County Club in Cape Girardeau from 1999 to 2001. He went to Dalhousie in 2001 where he stayed until he took the head job at HTCC in 2004.

"I like it a lot in Dexter," he commented. "It's a nice town and it's a nice club with a great membership. I'm enjoying by time here and I really enjoy having a membership that will donate the resources to do I project like this."

Notes: New greens are not the only new sighting at HTCC this season. The club has hired Reggie Grant, age 31, of Harrison, Ark., as manager and club professional. Grant comes to HTCC from Branson, Mo., where is was an assistant golf pro. He is a Professional Golfers of America (PGA) Class A member.