The Village of Fenney added another recreation option to the growing list of outdoor amenities when the ribbon was cut Friday morning on Fenney Putt and Play.
In addition to two nine-hole putting courses, there is an area to play croquet and lawn bowling, a lake stocked with fish and a walking trail surrounding the courses.
People were eager to get started on the putting courses.
Some came in ready-made foursomes, others came solo and joined a group upon arrival.
Terry Cochran joined friends Allen Gray and Mark Moore.
“Wanted to see what it is all about,” said Moore, “seems like a good place to bring friends when they come to visit.”
Gray added, “I have wanted to be the first one to do a thing down here, this seemed like a good opportunity.”
Danny Bragg, another solo golfer joining a group, said that he was having “tons of fun.”
Having played putting courses in the Bahamas he was looking forward to giving Fenney a try.
“It’s harder than putt putt, people may be surprised, but I love it,” Bragg said.
Pat Parrott part of the foursome Bragg joined said, “We like to try new things so we signed up right away.”
The putting courses are available to residents and guests with a pass on a first come, first served basis. Through October the hours are 7:30 a.m. to noon and 3 p.m. to dusk. Starting in November through April the hours will be 9 a.m. to dusk.
The Villages Lawn Bowls and Croquet clubs came out to celebrate the opening and use the facilities.
“They did a really good job,” said Henry Landsberg, a lawn bowler, “I will look forward to coming out and using it when they have more car parking in this area.”
Village of Pinellas resident Ray Liberti, vice president of the croquet club, looks forward to playing at Fenney as do Gilchrist residents Nelly and Jim Gruhlke.
“It will be nice to come over in the afternoon and play, even just as a twosome,” he said.
The lake is stocked for catch and release fishing with sun fish, large-mouth bass and blue gill. Fishing poles are available at Fenney Recreation Center. Fishing hours are 7 a.m. to dusk.
