Almost three months ahead of schedule of the contracted Sept. 30 date, the renovation of the Fort Benning Golf Course clubhouse is near completion, club pro and PGA member George Cliff said.
“The building is basically completed, we’re just waiting on the final walkthroughs,” Cliff said. The renovation was estimated to cost $750,000.
Cliff said the biggest changes to the building were the construction of a brand new roof and the installation of a new air conditioning system.
“The main thing to me was getting a decent cooling system for players when they get through playing,” he said. “This time last year, it would be 80 degrees with fans blowing hot air.”
The roof now extends at its midpoint about 15-18 feet higher than it used to, Cliff said.
An area that used to be a small alley outside that divided a section of the building, was converted into a new storage room, which Cliff said was needed to help store merchandise.
“I could use every bit of it,” he said. “We’ve got clubs, score cards, range balls — we’ve been storing stuff everywhere.”
Also installed was a new fire -retardant system, which, upon detecting smoke, can shut off all electricity and automatically dial an alert to the local fire department.
The clubhouse’s ballroom will remain closed until sometime in the fall. Cliff said once the renovation contract is handed over to him from Webb Construction Co., he will spend about a month redesigning and painting the ballroom.
Mike & Ed’s BBQ will not return to the clubhouse after renovation. Cliff said the kitchen will only be used to cater special events.
With restaurants on Main Post such as Subway, Burger King, Little Caesar’s, Charley’s Grilled Subs and Pizza Hut, Cliff said customers will not want to drive out of their way to the clubhouse for lunch.
“The problem with any business here is (customers) don’t have time to come over here to eat,” he said. “Twenty years ago, you could not find a seat in here.”
Cliff said the renovation did not cause business to take a hit as revenue was on par for the months of March, April, May and June. Customers have taken notice to the new look of the clubhouse, he said.
“Everybody’s been very positive about how it’s looking,” he said. “We’re trying to, as soon as possible, get this place look like it’s been six months since we finished.”
