With all of those attributes, Bittersweet should have been an instant success. But it was not. There was one problem - a big problem. The average golfer found the course to be too difficult. In fact, Bittersweet's reputation quickly evolved from being a difficult course to being a punitive and even unfair course. Seventeen of the holes had water which came into play. Landing areas were tight. An errant shot guaranteed a penalty and a lost ball.

To be economically viable, Bittersweet needed to broaden its appeal. Significant changes to the course would have to be made. Yet, ownership did not want to compromise the qualities of the course which made Bittersweet a favorite of low handicappers and local PGA club pros who frequently play at Bittersweet on their off days.

Over the past three years, every hole on the back nine has been modified and four of the nine holes on the front side have been changed. Several fairways were widened. Some greens were enlarged. Tee boxes were repositioned. Water was drained from several areas which previously attracted golf balls like magnets. Many trees were removed and underbrush was cleared from many acres in areas separating the fairways. Sand traps were added along side fairways and next to greens to prevent balls from rolling into adjacent wetlands and ponds.

"What's gratifying about all of the changes is that none of them have detracted from the aesthetics of the golf course," says Jack Porter, an owner and one of the original architects of Bittersweet. "For example, even though many trees have been removed since we opened for play, there has been no detrimental visual impact. There remain so many mature trees that the tree reduction has not been noticed. Yet, the playable surface has been significantly enlarged.

Current opinion is that the mission to take the "bitter" out of the "Bittersweet" has been successfully accomplished.

A few additional changes are still planned to holes two, five and nine. When finished, the job of softening Bittersweet will be complete. That doesn't mean, however, that things will stay the same. Comments are always welcome since Bittersweet's success is ultimately achieved when our course, your course, is considered only "sweet".