Over four years ago, the Garrisons Lake golf course south of Smyrna closed down, and local golfers had to go elsewhere. As time went on, the course fell into disrepair.

But now the golf course is coming back to life.

With renovations nearly complete, golfers will soon be able to traverse the fairways, putt the greens and get stuck in the bunkers at Garrisons Lake once again.

The course is set to reopen in early September.

“We’re shooting for September 1,” said Matt Chesser, a program administrator for the State Division of Parks and Recreation. “We’d like to have a Labor Day opening.”

The future of the golf course was not always so certain.

At one point, it seemed likely that that no one would ever play another round of golf at Garrisons Lake.

Plans were in place to convert the 160-acre course into a subdivision with over 300 homes, but in 2004, the state intervened and purchased the course for $3.4 million.

After gathering input from the public, the state decided to preserve and renovate the existing golf course.

Now all the work and preparation is coming to fruition. 

When it reopens, the course will be operated under the auspices of the Delaware State Golf Association (DSGA).

“What’s been done to the place is just magnificent,” said Curt Riley, who will serve as general manager of the course when it’s turned over to the DSGA.

Riley started playing at Garrisons Lake back in the ’60s, and he remembers when it was still a 9-hole course, before it expanded to 18 holes.

“Garrisons Lake was a great, great championship golf course,” he said.

Now Riley is excited to see the course returning to its former glory.

“There’s so much history and so many people who put their heart and soul into it, and we want to be aware of that,” he said.

But there is still work to be done.

Construction is underway on an expanded parking lot for the course.

Also, two modular clubhouses will be installed in mid-to-late July, Chesser said. One modular will serve as office space, and the other will be a pro shop, he said.

Chesser said a permanent clubhouse will probably be built at some point, but likely won’t be considered in the next five years.

He also said the course won’t have a swimming pool, tennis courts or a restaurant like it did in the past.

“This is going to be all about golf,” Chesser said.

Riley said the DSGA is busy working on the logistics for the course – coming up with staffing and equipment lists.

A number of memberships will be available for purchase, but non-members will also be able to play for a daily fee.

Riley said the final prices haven’t been decided yet, but he doesn’t plan to undercut other courses, or charge excessive fees.

“We expect it to be a top-notch facility with competitive rates,” he said.

The course will probably start with approximately 40-50 golf carts, but will likely have more eventually, Riley said.

The management of the course will be officially turned over to the DSGA on August 15, Riley said. The State Parks will continue to provide some occasional oversight for the course, but the day-to-day operation will be managed by a non-profit corporation under the DSGA.

“Once that parking lot’s done, we’re handing the keys over,” Chesser said. “We’ve been the babysitters for the course for quite some time. We’re ready for someone else to take over.”