Good news on the golf course - WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-

Good news on the golf course

The waterway surrounding White River Golf Club is known to swallow errant drives. But, last Fall, it almost washed away the course.

"I really thought I was out of business," said club owner Pete McGowan.

He says when Irene struck, she destroyed 15 of the course's 50 acres, causing more than 100-thousand dollars worth of damage.

Six of the nine holes re-opened Friday, just in time for the Fourth of July.

Course staff say they couldn't have done it without the help of the state, and golfers like Len Robinson.

"The greens need, are a little rough, but that doesn't bother me, I appreciate what he went though to get to this point," Robinson said.

The 83-year-old isn't long off the tee, but he muscled up in the wake of disaster, moving tons of dirt to help repair his favorite course.

"My son and I come down for two weeks and worked with an excavator and truck," Robinson said.

Staff say on a holiday weekend, the course can host more than 100 rounds of golf. Though, they say, this weekend it's more likely to be a couple dozen.

"To see the people out here today and such a beautiful opening day makes it all worthwhile in a lot of ways," McGowan said.

Owners say a low-interest loan from the state is helping as well.