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Beautification, Of Course

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By KENNETH KNIGHT

knight@tampatrib.com

Published: October 8, 2008

PEBBLE CREEK - The owner of this suburban community's signature golf course wants to make the area more beautiful.

Bill Place of Pebble Creek Golf Club is offering residents and golf club members a chance to join his "Let Pebble Creek Bloom" campaign.

He said the landscaping project is a part of his continuing effort to make improvements at the country club and adjoining Mulligans restaurant, and on the golf course, which he bought three years ago.

Place is offering residents a chance to make an investment to beautify their yards and help the environment.

He is selling live oak trees and Washingtonian palms to Pebble Creek residents for $5 each, plus tax.

During a recent trip to South Florida, Place found a nursery that was liquidating its stock of trees and plants. He said he purchased more than 2,200 palms, trees and scrubs for the golf course improvement project and to share with club members and residents.

"We ordered a lot of extra palms and oaks," Place said. "We are passing them along to residents and club members at cost."

In an email to Pebble Creek residents, Place assured them the project was not a money-making venture.

"We won't make any money from this," Place wrote. "It's our way of thanking you for supporting the golf club and Mulligans restaurant."

Place expected residents to make a run on the trees, which he said cost $30 to $40 at garden stores. But last week only a handful of people had made inquiries.

"I thought I would have gotten more," Place said. "I sent it to our members and two homeowners associations in Pebble Creek."

The oaks are 6 to 8 feet tall, and the Washingtonian palms are about 3 feet tall.

"I particularly encourage those of you who live on the course to participate in our landscaping program," Place wrote in an e-mail to club members. "The Washingtonian palms won't impede your view of the course and will add a lot of beauty."

Pebble Creek resident Mike Carricato praised Place's effort.

"I think it was great for him to offer," Carricato said. "I hope residents who need trees will take him up on it."

Place said Pebble Creek residents interested in the tree program should contact Dennis Bowman at the golf club.

Reporter Kenneth Knight can be reached at (813) 865-4842.

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