With Limited play scheduled to begin on April 1, the employees of Gobbler Hollow Golf Course are making sure everything is in place so the community can get a good feel of what the course will be like when it officially opens a little later in the season.

Recently named Course Superintendent Chris Crawford said the number of people allowed to play the first weekend will be determined by how many show up, and how the ground seems to be taking the punishment during the first day.

"Mother nature still has a lot of work to do, so we don't put it through too much," he said. "But this is a great opportunity for the community to get to know the course, knock a few balls around and see how it is going to look."

Crawford comes to Greenville from the Cotton Creek golf resort in Gulf Shores where he was assistant course superintendent. He is currently overseeing the final preparations for the limited play opening this weekend.

Crawford said the course will celebrate its official grand opening on May 17 with a celebrity scramble tournament with guests from the athletic departments of the state's universities and all types of prizes will be given to make the day interesting.

As part of Gobbler Hollow's commitment to the community, Crawford said the course will be working with area schools to develop a high school golf program.

"We really want to help out the schools in the area with matches and practice rounds," he said. "And while school is almost out this year, I think we'll be in a good position to offer a lot of assistance."

Crawford said he was excited about opening and getting to know the people of Greenville.

"We are trying to make Gobbler Hollow the local course and we are really looking forward to being a part of the community," he said.