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Emerald Greens Has Added Luster

Tribune photo by CLIFF MCBRIDE

Emerald Greens Golf Resort & Country Club finished $50 million in renovations last year including a new hotel featuring two-bedroom villas with full kitchens.

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By MICHELE SAGER

msager@tampatrib.com

Published: March 17, 2009

Updated: 03/17/2009 11:19 am

CARROLLWOOD - Area families wanting to save money on vacations have a newly renovated resort option close to home.

Emerald Greens Golf Resort & Country Club finished $50 million in renovations last year including a new hotel featuring two-bedroom villas with full kitchens.

"A lot of people drive up and down Dale Mabry (Highway) every day and never know we are here," said Dana Saad, general manager for Emerald Greens. "But our villas are open to the public, and guests have access to all the services as members."

The private club features 27 holes of golf, a dining hall and bar, junior Olympic-size pool, splash zone for children and tennis courts. The vacation villas sit in the middle of the 30-acre property surrounded by greens and private homes. Room rates range from $150 during the off season to $300 at peak times.

"The villas have become popular with families who are remodeling their own homes or those who just want to get away for a weekend," said Jane Albrecht, marketing and membership director.

Even if families don't opt to stay at the vacation villas, they can sign up for a social membership that gives them access to the pool and dining hall featuring Executive Chef Kasim Siftar, formerly of the Renaissance Vinoy Resort in St. Petersburg. Social memberships cost about $100 a month.

Saad said a major change for the resort is the renovation of the golf courses over the past few years. All were dug up and rebuilt and reshaped and featured improved greens.

"That was a big complaint about the resort for years," Saad said. "But now every hole is gorgeous. They are no longer calling us Carrollweeds golf course.

With about 1,000 members, the club strives to serve visitors and the surrounding residents.

Resort plans have undergone several changes during the past 11 years in response to concerns of other Carrollwood Village residents. In 1996, owners sought to build a $10 million hotel.

The original plans for the hotel would have included eight three-story buildings on 2 acres between the golf course and homes in the club's northeast corner. At the time, many residents thought the development was too much for their community.

The club has since changed management and instead opted for a style that fits better into the community.

"We have become a real part of the community, hosting meetings, banquets and other events for Carrollwood," Saad said. "We're hoping more people will visit this treasure in their own backyard."

Reporter Michele Sager can be reached at (813) 865-1523.

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