Course gets upgrades

New grass. New bunkers. New menu items.

And of course, new ownership and a new name.

Workers at the nine-hole Rio Colorado Golf Course have spent the summer upgrading Somerton's only public course - as well as its pro shop and restaurant. Bought by the Cocopah last year, the tribe has spent a lot of time and effort getting the course into pristine condition.

"This year the course is greatly improved," said Liz Pratt, director of communication for the Cocopah. "They've added two sand bunkers to the course. Near the No. 1 tee box, there's a new practice putting area. And then they've also added two target greens at the driving range."

Greens fees last year were $13 to walk, $18 for a cart. While winter fees for this year hadn't been calculated, Tribal Administrator Kermit Palmer said the course will be one of the best values in the area.

"This year we're going to have a course that is in much better shape than it was when we opened up in December of ‘07," Palmer said. "We have a chance now to have a time to work on it over the summer and resolve some of the water issues we had with the pumps. Right now, we're looking pretty good coming into season."

While details haven't been finalized, Pratt said there are plans for a men's league. Last year's league was 10 a.m. Tuesdays.

Pratt said last year the club held a tournament pitting the area's RV parks against one another, and plans are in the works for a second edition. As for future additions to the course - such as adding a back nine - are being tabled and the focus is on improving what already exists.

"Right now the focus is getting the front nine up and running and back into pristine conditions," Pratt said. "They're really doing most of the changes for this season by the new additions to the course. They are changing some of the restaurant features."

The course - formerly Dove Valley Golf Course - was purchased by the Cocopah in June 2006 and is the second course, in addition to the Cocopah RV and Golf Resort, owned by the tribe.

"The tribe saw the golf course as a good opportunity," Pratt said. "It's the second golf course they own and operate. It's in a great location. It's currently the exclusive public golf course in Somerton."

And with all the improvements in place, Palmer is expecting one of the best season ever for the course - under any name.

"We've been working over the summer to till those up," Palmer said. "There will be grass on those instead of hard dirt. The season is going to go really well."