The Walden Lake Golf & Country Club has undergone changes since Lynn Archibald began working there. More are on the horizon.
By Emily Topper and Amber Jurgensen
There’s one thing avid golfers in the Walden Lake community love more than the newly-revitalized Lakes course: Professional Golf Global Group Owner Lynn Archibald.
In May 2015, Archibald began updating The Lakes, an 18-hole course, and the Walden Lake Golf & Country Club. Since then, he’s been revitalizing the course and club with the hope of bringing it back to what it was in its heyday. Walden Lake Golf & Country Club has been in decline over the years, and its disintegration was accelerated after it fell into bankruptcy several years ago.
Archibald has come on the scene with long-term goals: his plans include updating the the Hills and Lakes courses and country club, depending on if a rezoning of the Hills course is passed by the City of Plant City.
He’s wasted no time in making improvements. However, Archibald said that to boost the golf and country club to its former glory it will take the rest of the community to lend its support.
THE COURSES
Archibald’s improvements to The Lakes course began when he took over and include trimming back about 400 trees and removing stumps, among other things.
It’s been a domino effect. The improvements draw golfers to the course and in turn brings them back to the country club. Since taking over, the staff has grown from five people to 38.
Next, he’ll work on a redesign of the back nine of The Hills, with world-renowned course architect Ron Garl. This month, he is meeting with Garl, who is based in Lakeland and was the original designer of many of Walden Lake’s holes. They will ride the back nine, which has been nicknamed “The Railroad Nine,” to decide how it can be made longer and more fun.
Garl said the first step is to focus on the basics: irrigation, fixing drainage problems and agronomics to make sure the course will grow first-rate, quality grass.
“While we’re bringing that back nine to life, we’re going to make it more enjoyable, more fun,” Garl said. “That’s where golf if going today.”
The team hopes to have the redesign complete by October.
After, the team will start to work on the back nine of The Lakes.
“I’m really excited about the future of Walden Lake,” Garl, whose wife is from Plant City, said. “It’s a special place for me. I’ve spent a lot of time golfing there.”
In addition to the work Archibald has put in, he’s also received support from members. Dick Grant and others frequently fix the ball markers on the course left by other players, which must be done each day.
“We see in him hope,” Grant said. “He is our hope to bring this course back. I don’t know how he’s doing it, but I give him all the credit in the world.”
Member Tony Polo comes into Archibald’s office once a week offering his services — from painting to whatever Archibald needs done, Archibald said.
“I want to show my appreciation,” Archibald said. “The members do more than they need to do. We do have some great members.”
THE CLUB
One of the most noticeable differences is the social aspect of the golf and country club.
The club’s current hotspot, Archie's Grill, opened last year and has remained open daily for lunch, dinner and happy hour.
“This is a great social place,” Ruth Polo, who has lived in Walden Lake for at least 20 years, said. “And people need to just come out and try it. The food is superb. We haven’t had a chef as good as this chef in years.”
Slowly but surely, Walden Lake golfers are returning. On Fridays, couples play golf at 2 p.m. and then go to Archie's Grill for drinks and dinner.
Guests also have a new event to look forward to: karaoke, from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays.
In the future, Archibald plans on bringing back Sunday brunch.
“We have everything we need, we’ve just got to get a little organized,” Archibald said.
Contact Emily Topper at etopper@plantcityobserver.com.
THE NEXT DRIVE
While some golfers are returning to the course and club, residents who are not members have yet to walk through the its doors, Archibald said. Residents do not need to be members of the country club to have dinner at the grill.
“Probably 70% of this community doesn’t realize it’s open for the public,” Archibald said.
Resident Ruth Polo agreed with Archibald, noting that it is community support that may make or break the club.
“If we had more of that from the community, it would be very good,” she said. “I think most of the community’s not aware that they can come here. The door is wide open.”
“Whatever they want, we will do,” Archibald said.
IF YOU GO
Walden Lake residents don’t have to be a member of the Walden Lake Golf & Country Club to enjoy a meal at Archie's Grill.
When: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m daily; happy hour from 4 to 6 p.m.
BECOME A MEMBER
For those interested in the new improvements, memberships are available to Walden Lake residents.
Price: $50 per month
Includes: Access to pool, tennis courts and gym
Benefits: Fifteen percent off all food and beverages served at the grill.
THEIR WORDS
“I love it. When the club was no longer here, we were heartbroken. The ladies now come and play, and then we stop afterwards for lunch here.”
— Ruth Polo, resident
“I would like to have the premier dining room back. It used to be open every day for lunch.”
— Margie Gonzalez, resident
“We need a good golf course in this community. It’s kind of the jewel that makes Walden Lake what it is. They’re doing a fabulous job. The transformation has been incredible.”
— Dick Grant, resident
“Every day this place will get better. We’re a happy family. We’re in the social business. Golf is one aspect of it.”
— Lynn Archibald
