INDIANOLA — Kingston golfers are getting out their clubs, polishing them up and giving them a practice swing or two in preparation for the White Horse Golf Course opening slated for April 12.

The course, located off of South Kingston Road, was scheduled to open a year ago, but faced delays while developers worked with Kitsap County to address a myriad of concerns. The majority have been taken care of and as a result, North Enders — as well as east side residents — are looking to book their tee times.

“There’s a lot of people in Indianola who are excited about the opening,” said White Horse developer Bob Screen. “Some of them are members already. A couple of people have looked at it, and they really like how it’s turned out.”

Not everyone is excited.

“There are always a couple of people who, no matter what we do, will be unhappy with White Horse,” said White Horse vice president of sales Sarah Screen Rhoads, who pointed out that studies on groundwater — an early concern with the project — have received county approval. “The water tests we’ve had done are very positive, and we’re happy with that.”

Indianola residents previously expressed concerns about runoff from the course contaminating their drinking water. Monitoring systems were installed and began collecting data mid-summer 2006, creating a baseline on which to judge future data. Rhoads and Screen both agree the numbers retrieved so far are normal.

“I’m a little confused because I recall asking (Kitsap County Department of Community Development planner) Dennis Oost when is the trail going to be built,” said Indianola resident Jay Zischke. “And he said the trail needs to be built prior to the course opening, or put a 150 percent bond together to open without the trail.”

Oost clarified that certain Site Development Activity Permits need to be completed before the course opens, but not the trail itself.

“Bob (Screen) is working towards getting those complete,” Oost said. “They could be completed by the summer.”

“We’re very excited to able to finally get (the course) open,” Screen said. “We’ve had a few people go out and play in the rain to test the drainage system, and they all commented on what a dry course it is.”

Golfers even braved the back nine during a torrential downpour, Rhoads said, and not even their cuffs were damp when they got back inside. Though the rest of them was definitely soaked through, she said with a laugh.

“We have a unique location, which is very attractive to Seattle side golfers,” Rhoads said. “We have a natural beauty here that very few courses have.”

Before these golfers can take in the North Kitsap scenery, a few minor housekeeping items need to be addressed as far as Kitsap County is concerned. Screen said, these items, which include permits and other requirements, are basically what pushed the grand opening back so far in the first place.

Nonetheless, White Horse officials are optimistic, and several tournaments have been scheduled by local groups for this spring and summer, Rhoads said.

“Frankly, the course is beautiful,” Zischke said. “It’s greened up very nicely. From my perspective, I’m somewhat a trail advocate… I’m not really a golfer but if I was invited to go, I probably would just to see what it’s like. I’m really excited about the trail, and very frustrated with the delays.”

The White Horse housing community, which borders the course, has 65 lots in Phase I of the 450-acre development. Of these, eight are currently still on the market. Houses to the tune of $999,000 have been completed.