Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders announced the start of construction for a new state-of-the-art clubhouse at Galloping Hill Golf Course in Kenilworth, at a groundbreaking ceremony held on the site today, Tuesday September 27. The new clubhouse will include a full slate of amenities for golfers along with a conference center, restaurant and banquet facilities. It will also serve as the new headquarters for the New Jersey State Golf Association.
The facility will be run by the internationally renowned company KemperSports, which manages Union County’s golf operations.
“The completion of the new state of the art Galloping Hill Clubhouse will be the final phase of a fiscal turnaround plan for golf operations,” said Freeholder Chairman Deborah P. Scanlon. “The improvements we have made including our partnerships with Kemper, TaylorMade, the First Tee program, and the New Jersey State Golf Association have exceeded our expectations and will ensure the Galloping Hill golf experience will be phenomenal.”
The 43,000 square foot, LEED Silver Certified clubhouse will include a conference center, pro shop, 300 person banquet facility, bar and grill, private dining room, and an outdoor terrace overlooking the golf course. It is scheduled to be completed by the end of the 2012 golf season.
“We are excited to relocate the NJSGA to the clubhouse at Galloping Hill Golf Course. We look forward to welcoming golfers from throughout the State to share in the superb golf experience at this course,” said John B. Murray, president, New Jersey State Golf Association. “The NJSGA is proud to be a part of this project and looks forward to occupying the new clubhouse upon completion next year.”
In 2008 Union County golf operations incurred a loss of $650,000. The fiscal turnaround plan included hiring a professional management company and opening a new driving range and learning center. The total cost of the upgrades is $17 million which includes the construction of the TaylorMade Performance Lab, the new driving range and the Clubhouse.
In the two years since the implementation of the fiscal turnaround plan, golf operations experienced a $300,000 increase in revenue in 2010.
Construction has already begun on the new TaylorMade Performance Lab at Galloping Hill. Performance Lab represents the latest and most cutting edge swing analysis and club fitting technologies TaylorMade has to offer. The building is expected to be open to the public in late 2011.
On completion of both the TaylorMade Performance Lab and new clubhouse, Galloping Hill will be the premier municipal golf facility in the state of New Jersey, capable of handling 800 guests at a time.
“This state-of-the-art clubhouse will be a tremendous addition to the overall golf experience at Galloping Hill,” said KemperSports CEO Steve Skinner. “We are excited to welcome the NJSGA to the new home for golf in New Jersey.”
About New Jersey State Golf Association
The New Jersey State Golf Association is a non-profit organization of member clubs and courses dedicated to the service of golf in New Jersey. Founded in 1900, the Association was formed for the purpose of promoting and conserving the true spirit of the game throughout New Jersey. Now in its 108th year, the NJSGA has continued to grow and serves over 275 clubs, courses and organizations representing over 100,000 golfers throughout the State.
About KemperSports
Northbrook, Ill.-based KemperSports operates golf facilities as well as athletic clubs, lodging venues and major sporting events, including nationally ranked courses and tournament venues such as Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, Dorado Beach Resort & Club, The Glen Club, Desert Willow Golf Resort and Chambers Bay, host of the 2015 U.S. Open. For more information, visit www.kempersports.com.