Carolina Hills at Meadowbrook, a proposed 374-unit residential golf community surrounding Meadowbrook Golf Club in Green Creek, is making progress with upgrades to the course and plans for the development.

Earlier this week Meadowbrook opened a new driving range, the first of three driving tees. When the other two are completed later, the new one paralleling Poors Ford Road will be used as a practice tee for private lessons, golf schools, and golf clinics.

Construction has been under way at Meadowbrook on several new golf holes as part of a golf course renovation designed by golf course architect Rick Robbins. Meadowbrook plans to move the #9 green, creating room for the two additional range tee boxes.

Carolina Hills at Meadowbrook is being developed by the Deck family, which built, owns and operates the golf course. Cousins Paul and William Deck, who are leading the development project, say the driving range is the &dquo;first visible step of the many improvements and things to come to Meadowbrook Golf Club.&dquo;

Other amenities planned for the golf course community include: clubhouse, swimming pool, tennis courts, fitness center, nature area, walking trails, playground, parks, and commons.

&bsp;The Carolina Hills at Meadowbrook developers say the community was a dream that started over 25 years ago, and now, thanks to the purchase of 76 acres from Grady Calvert in 2007, it is becoming a reality.

The Decks say they will continue moving forward with plans despite the economic downturn.

&dquo;As for why now, having gone through the economic ups and downs over the years, we believe our nation will return even stronger,&dquo; say the developers. &dquo;Better days are ahead. This is, we believe, a good time to begin the first phase of this 374-unit planned community.&dquo;

Phase one will conist of 19 custom lots and 11 patio homes. The development will be offering a patio home neighborhood, Calvert Commons, and a custom lot neighborhood on Jacobs Ridge.

Calvert Commons is named in honor of the family whose property was purchased in 2007 to make the community possible. Jacobs Ridge is named for the first Deck family member who moved here over 200 years ago.

&dquo;We have a lot of heritage and tradition here that will be woven into this community,&dquo; say the Decks.

Carolina Hills has completed convenants, an architectural review process and property owner association documents. It also has received preliminary plat approval from the Polk County Planning Board. A public utility water line is ready to connect to the community various neighborhoods.

During phase one, the golf club plans to complete the two new holes, 10 and 11, while keeping all original 18 holes in play until the new holes are done.