It’s barely been over a month since Lynn Archibald has taken over as the manager for The Lakes course at Walden Lake Golf & Country Club, and already he has begun improving the state of the neglected property.
Archibald, the owner of Professional Golf Global Group, was announced as the general manager for the The Lakes course, as well as the pool and clubhouse, in mid June, although Visions Golf is still the owner of the property. Archibald would like to assume ownership of the country club if the rezoning for The Hills course goes through. The rezoning would allow a development of 154 single-family lots, 156 multi-family units and a 100-unit assisted living facility to be built on The Hills.
But Archibald is focused solely on the golf aspects. His goal is to boost membership for the 18-hole Lakes course and bring it back to the professional standards of its heyday. From the smallest details, such as buying new balls, to the big picture, Archibald is ready to turn the club around.
“What do you think 95% of people want?” Archibald said. “Now lets work on getting those things. The community is not using (the Walden Lake Golf & Country club) the right way. We can change it as a group.”
THE CHANGES
So far, Archibald has trimmed over 100 palm trees and over 400 other trees, removed 40 stumps, fertilized the greens and upkept the mowing. The full pro shop is back, as well as beverage carts. To help him with maintenance and accommodations, Archibald has upped the staff from five to 15.
Future plans include opening the bar and grill. He is planning to have it open in August. For that, he will hire about eight more employees. Once it’s open, he will have a ceremony for the members. He’s interested in hearing what the members and the community want out of it.
“If they want prime rib Fridays, I love it,” Archibald said. “Buffet Thursdays, brunches — whatever it may be.”
The pool is another amenity he is managing. He plans to renovate it in a resort style.
Archibald has started to maintenance the outside of the clubhouse, killing weeds that were allowed to grow in the courtyard. He’s also added an 80-inch tv inside to cater to those wanting to relax and watch sports in the clubhouse. In a couple of years, he would like to tear it down and build a new facility.
“There’s other things besides golf you can do here,” Archibald said. “The pool, tennis. We’ve got to get golf back as a social event. I want to change the way people think of golf.”
To foster a sense of community, Archibald has gotten rid of the many levels of membership and simplified it to two different types: a golf membership and a social membership. He said having too many levels of membership disjoints the camaraderie of the members.
To better reach out to his members and the community, he would like to open his doors for events, such as fundraiser golf tournaments, dinners and more.
Residents who live on The Lakes and members who frequent the club have noticed the changes. Robert Kells has lived near hole 12 for six years. In just 35 days, he’s already gotten to know Archibald from the ride arounds Archibald does to check on the course everyday.
“Attitude is number one,” Kells said about the thing he noticed has changed the most. “He’s willing to observe and take notes about the bad things of the golf course and improve it. I’ve seen drastic improvements.”
Kells has made his own recommendation about adding a gazebo near hole 12 to serve drinks at.
“He’s open minded, he’s up for suggestions,” Kells said. “From tee boxes to the greens, everything is nicer. It’s being cut now, trees are being trimmed.
Residents aren’t the only ones who have noticed. The city’s code enforcement has been a frequent visitor to the country club since it fell into disarray after Visions Golf went into bankruptcy several years ago.
There’s been one property maintenance violation for a missing storm grate that Archibald addressed within 24 hours, according to code enforcement officer Tray Towles.
“The other violation is for overgrown vegetation on the golf course, and he is working toward compliance at this moment,” Towles said.
“I can see the progress,” Archibald said. “We are working very diligently to get past those fines first. Then we can do more.”
WHY WALDEN LAKE
The Tampa native first started playing golf in 2000, when he went with his brother to practice driving. He was used to being able to play other sports easily, but was having trouble with golf. That is, until another golfer offered him some tips and changed his driver out to a nine iron. He nailed his next shot.
“I knew this was what I wanted to do,” Archibald said.
The golf bug had bit him, and he practiced every day with dreams of owning his own course.
In 2014, he graduated from a golf management program at Keiser University, studying under PGA professionals.
“I thought it would be good to get the inside perspective,” Archibald said.
At first, he was interested in buying Plantation Palms in Land O Lakes, but after hearing of the struggles the Walden Lake Golf & Country Club was having, he decided to set up a meeting with Steve Mercer of Visions Golf.
“The golf conditions were horrible, but I fell in love with the layout,” Archibald said.
He liked that The Lakes was not a typical Florida course. It didn’t have as many man-made ponds as other courses, and golfers can’t see five to six holes at a time, leaving them alone with nature. It’s more of a North Carolina-feel, without the elevation, Archibald said.
He also appreciates that the Walden Lake homes bordering the courses are not cookie-cutter style. Each one has it’s own design. Because of this Archibald, who has lived in Plant City for three years, is planning to buy a house in Walden Lake.
“I love the membership,” Archibald said. “I love the community. 95% of people are positive. I’m overwhelmed by the support.”