The White Horse Golf Course in Kingston is nearly a year away from being finished, but it had already saved about $80,000 in construction costs. That’s because during the excavation and routing process, which is in full swing, a wonderful discovery was made: lots of sand lay underneath. Not just any sand — 8,000 cubic yards of even-sized, uniformly shaped sand, just perfect for the greens.

“In creating the greens sand, it’s often necessary to screen it several times so it ends up same size,” said property owner Bob Screen, “but it’s already such an even size that all we have to do is screen it for pebbles.” Not to mention the sand doesn’t need to be brought in from miles away.

Everything else is going as planned with the construction of the 18-hole course, which will open in June 2005. Billed as a walkable, affordable and “playable” course for people of all skill levels, it has a gentle rolling topography without severe elevation changes, and the backdrop of mountains to the east and west along with other breathtaking views.

“Built on 3 to 6 feet of sand, it will be one of the driest in the winter time, and more suitable for year-round play,” Screen said. Memberships are already being offered — primarily because members will get preference in selecting the lots in the adjacent White Horse residential community. The phase one lots have especially nice views and there has been quite a bit of interest, Screen said.

The course will have the unique print of the world-famous Dye family. Architect Cynthia Dye McGarey, the niece of the legendary Pete Dye, practically grew up with golf course design, with several members of the family involved in some aspect of it. White Horse, with its unique natural features, couldn’t be a better fit for her: A former landscaper, Dye McGarey has a passion for preserving natural habitats.

By April, all 18 fairways had been cleared, with grading and excavating just about finished on 12 holes. By September, drainage, irrigation and seeding work should begin. Screen, a golfer himself, says so far the developing has exceeded his expectations.