ATHENS, Ohio -- The creation of a safer recreational environment and an ongoing tree renewal program are significant elements of the next phase of renovations at the Ohio University Golf Course, set to begin April 26. The course, closed since April 15, is scheduled to reopen spring 2003.

About 60 trees will be removed from the course for safety reasons. Many of the trees are in decline and others will be removed to avoid forcing golfers to hit shots that travel toward the bike path and its patrons.

"We have more than 450 trees on the golf course and tried to save every one we could when we designed the new holes," said Ohio University Executive Director of Campus Recreation Jim Gilmore. "We realize the importance of trees especially to a golf course, but found it necessary to cut down some of them for safety reasons."

Ohio University Director of Grounds Mark Whitney said, "The tree renewal program will give us an opportunity to diversify the species of trees at the golf course. Currently, the majority of the trees are white and Austrian pine trees and many of them are in serious decline. We will plant hundreds of trees on the course as part of our tree renewal program."

A memorial tree program at the golf course also is being discussed that will allow people to dedicate new tree plantings in memory of loved ones.

The golf course redevelopment project includes the construction of the Hocking River Bridge built in the spring of 2000. The bridge was built to provide access to the land between the Richland Ave. entrance to U.S. routes 50/33 and the Hocking River, where four new golf holes are being developed.

"This renovation will allow Ohio University to improve the look of its Richland Ave. entrance to campus and also have a safer, regulation-sized golf course," said Ohio University Assistant Vice President for Facilities Planning John Kotowski. "Without a doubt, this will be one of the nicest golf courses in the area after completion."

Quality Golf Inc. of Sunbury, Ohio, is performing the course renovations and James Burkart Associates, Inc. of Upper Arlington, Ohio, designed the new course layout. The project is expected to cost an estimated $810,000. Half of the funds will come from Ohio University's Division of Campus Recreation, with the monies to be replaced by user fees, and the other portion will be taken from the university's capital resources.