With an eye to an early summer opening, the North Hempstead Town Board has approved a contract with Senior Tours Players Development, Inc. to manage Harbor Links and the other new public golf facilities near Hempstead Harbor. The nationally recognized firm was selected after an exhaustive national search, and will coordinate most of the day-to-day operations of the courses and driving range for up to ten years.

Senior Tour Players Development, a public firm based in Boston, has ample experience as the owner, manager and promoter of fine golf courses and other golfing activities, particularly in Las Vegas and New England. Over the years, the firm has served as manager or personal agent regarding golf courses for some of the biggest names in professional golf, including Sam Snead, Chi Chi Rodriguez and Johnny Miller. Already, company Chairman and President Stanton V. Abrams has indicated that two of the world's most famous golfers will be making special appearances at Harbor Links this summer, although he declined to announce details until the official grand opening announcements later this winter.

"Harbor Links offers golfers a sensational course with a great layout," said Mr. Abrams, "and we'll make sure that the courses are kept in absolutely top condition." He stated that his company was particulary dedicated to making the courses, and golfing in general, accessible to young people and others who may not yet have taken up the popular sport.

Senior Tour Players' services for the town will include recruitment of key golf staff, and the management, marketing and maintenance of the entire golf complex. In addition to the 18-hole Harbor Links course, a nine-hole "executive" course and dual driving ranges should be fully operational and open to the public by the Fourth of July. In exchange for their services, Senior Tour Players will be paid an annual fee.

Supervisor May Newburger pointed out that many of the finest courses in the United States rely on professional managers like Senior Tour Players. "Parks Commissioner Gerard Olsen and his staff will work very closely with Senior Tour, and the town will continue to set all important policies and approve all budgets" said Ms. Newburger.

Within 30 days, Senior Tour Players will present to the town board a detailed budget and business plan, including management goals for the first year of operation of the golf complex.

In a related development, the Town Board also approved a contract for the construction of the parking lot, driving range tee area and the last necessary site improvements and amenities needed for the grand openings.

Although final decisions have not yet been reached regarding registration or fees to use the golf facilities, interested residents can call Supervisor Newburger's office to receive this information when it is ready by late February. the telephone number is 869-7700.

Councilwoman Doreen Banks, liaison to the town's new Technology Commission, reminds golfers that color photographs of the links course can be viewed at the town's web site at www.northhempstead.com and that all new golf course developments will be posted prominently on the site. Councilman and Deputy Supervisor Anthony D'Urso reminds residents that the golf complex sits in what is now the town's largest dedicated park, which will soon include athletic fields suitable for soccer tournaments and other sporting events.

Mr. Abrams summed up the feelings of many proud Town of North Hempstead officials and employees when he said, "By the end of summer, everyone who's interested in golf in this part of Long Island will be talking about this fabulous new complex, and we'll do our best to help every interested Town of North Hempstead resident get a chance to play."