Friday, May 7, 2004

TDK detour to eliminate two Planterra golf holes By J. FRANK LYNCH jflynch@theCitizenNews.com The latest redesign of the long-delayed TDK Boulevard Extension across Line Creek into Coweta County will destroy two holes of golf at Planterra Ridge, it was confirmed this week. Two brand new holes will be built to replace the ones that lie in the road’s path, officials said. The Federal Aviation Administration recently raised concerns that the new road would cut through restricted air space for planes landing at nearby Falcon Field. A compromise solution worked out between the city, county and FAA has forced the creation of a 500-foot “safe buffer” that curves north of the runway and onto the present golf course, Mayor Steve Brown said this week. Because the new holes will be built before the old ones are bulldozed, there will be yet another lengthy delay in starting work on the road —Êat least a year and maybe more, said Brown. Lee Hearn, head of Fayette County’s road department and a golfer who has played Planterra Ridge, confirmed that holes four and five nearest the end of the present Falcon Field runway will be relocated and rebuilt before any work can continue to build the connector route to Coweta. Hearn said his road-building crews will probably proceed on parts of the project not affected by the golf course, such as construction of a bridge over Line Creek. Details on how the reconfigured holes will fit in with the present course is uncertain, but they are likely to occupy part of a 20-acre tract adjacent to the present course owned by Pathway Communities. Brown said the FAA had indicated it might purchase the property to expand the course, but that was unconfirmed. Hearn said one of the original designers of the course, Rocky Roquemore, had been enlisted to design the changes. “He’s been involved in the initial planning and the effects on the overall course,” said Hearn. A private golf club, Planterra Ridge was built in 1994.

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