Major improvements are in store for a Genoa area golf course after acquisition of the property as part of a plan to spread 315 upscale homes around the site.

The recent sale of the Sierra Nevada Golf Ranch course and clubhouse to Mario Antoci, owner of the nearby Genoa Lakes Golf Club, will create new opportunities to market the area, principals in the transaction said.

Sierra Nevada has been renamed Genoa Lakes Golf Resort.

“Our intent is to begin working as quickly as possible to make improvements and to continue getting houses built,’’ said Chip Bowlby, owner of Reno-based Monterey Development Group, which is overseeing the project.

A modification to development plans calls for five golf holes to be realigned on the course — east of Jacks Valley Road — and 183 residential units to be moved.

The Douglas County Commission, which earlier had approved the housing density, gave its OK to the modified plan Thursday. No one appeared to protest the change.

Bowlby said he hopes work can begin June 1 on rebuilding the five holes on the course, designed by Jack Nicklaus’ design firm. After that, construction will start on the homes in the Montana subdivision that needed to be moved as part of the reconfiguration of the property.

Antoci said consolidating the two semi-private courses will create combined membership opportunities, allow for more efficient management and open the way for large-scale tournaments.

“This is an exciting project and it places us in a better position to market the area as a premier golf location,’’ said Antoci, principal of MDA Enterprises.

According to records on file at the Douglas County Assessor’s Office, MDA Enterprises acquired the course for $3.7 million. Antoci said he negotiated an agreement to pay for improvements and upgrades.

“When this is considered, the purchase price is really about $6 million,’’ Antoci said. He said major improvements will be made to the clubhouse.

The Sierra Nevada course, originally developed by Tombstone Pizza founder Ron Simek, was sold in August to Monterey. Simek is developing 80 homes on the west side of Jacks Valley Road.

Bowlby said construction is under way on 142 dwelling units in the project, which will carry sales prices from $700,000 to just over $1 million.

As part of the development, Bowlby said a sports and recreational center will be built and will be available to members of both courses.

Antoci said using the same management team for two adjacent golf courses is good business strategy.

“It makes a lot of sense. We can cut costs substantially and improve efficiency,’’ Antoci said. He said a management team that has been running Sierra Nevada no longer will be needed.

About six jobs have been eliminated, Antoci said.