The yearlong renovation of the Glen Kernan Golf & Country Club is expected to be completed by late April.
Some amenities, however, may be open by the middle of January, said Bill Hughes, COO and general manager.
The improvements to the private club cost more than $25 million to reconstruct the golf course, clubhouse, restaurant, locker rooms and activity center that includes a lap pool, eight clay tennis courts, four pickleball courts, a basketball court and a multipurpose field.
Jacksonville-based Corner Lot and Hampton Golf paid $4.89 million Jan. 5 for the Glen Kernan Golf & Country Club golf course.
The club hired Hughes and David Bacon, director of food and beverage, both of whom have experience working at TPC Sawgrass. They have been in management at high-level golf courses.
Hughes had PGA Tour stops in Memphis, Tennessee; Cincinnati; and Dallas before coming to TPC Sawgrass in 2006. He was general manager and regional director of TPC Operations until 2018.
He left to oversee the six-year renovation of Jack Nicklaus’ home course, Country Club of the Rockies, in Vail, Colorado.
As the job was being completed, Travis Norman, COO of Hampton Golf, asked Hughes to head the Glen Kernan Country Club operation.
“It made tremendous sense when being given the opportunity to leave Colorado and come back to friends and family,” Hughes said.
Hughes knew of Bacon from past positions and sought him out to head food and beverage at TPC Sawgrass. He was managing the Morton’s of Chicago in Beverly Hills. John Norris, former vice president at Morton’s, is now the Champions Tour president. He encouraged Bacon to move to Raleigh, North Carolina, to be food and beverage director at TPC Midfield.
Hughes hired Bacon to come to TPC Sawgrass. Initially, he was in charge of feeding players, their families, Tour executives and VIPs. He later oversaw all food service at the Tour’s flagship golf course.
Sean van den Berg is the executive chef.
The golf course has been closed for a year for the renovation. It is expected to be open in April. The clubhouse has a February target to open the restaurant and clubhouse. The activity center is expected to be completed by mid-January, Norman said.
The remodeled clubhouse looks different. The taxidermy is gone. The dark wood is no more. The interior looks more like a modern, upscale hotel lobby and spa area.
There will be resort-style pools by the clubhouse.
The dining room and patio areas overlook the golf course and the several practice putting areas. The clubhouse exterior will be lighted at night. Diners will have a view of the amenities and the surroundings rather than looking out into darkness, Norman said.
The clubhouse contractor is Avant Construction of Jacksonville.
While Norman would not share details about costs, he said there are two membership levels: Full Golf and Sports Social. Initiation fees are bout $100,000.
To become a golf member, an applicant must be sponsored by an existing member.
The facilities are for members and guests. Hughes decided against traditional country club income drivers – weddings and outside events.
“Our members always know that they have a place to play golf. They’re never going to get an email. ‘The club is closed on Friday due to this outing.’ Our members are always going to have a place to play, eat and dine,” Bacon said.
Another amenity will be cottages that members can use to house guests or business visitors. The group will start with one but if interest proves profitable, it may build as many as four, Norman said.
The golf course was designed by 17-time PGA Tour winner, 2003 U.S. Open and 2010 FedEx Cup champion Jim Furyk. Those who have played the course will see a half-dozen new holes. The course has been lengthened from 6,900 yards to more than 7,300 yards.
LIV golfer and area resident Cameron Smith played a role in designing the practice areas. He also asked that the course be lengthened. The back tees, used primarily by professionals, are called “The Cam Tees” by the staff.
Every member of the golf staff will be a PGA of America professional from apprentice to master golf professional.
“It’s my role, and my obligation is to grow the next generation of golf professionals. And at clubs like this, they become magnets for people that want to grow and be developed,” said Hughes, a master PGA of America professional.
“So that’s all we’re going to do here, is open up this very high-end private, exclusive club that we’re going to assemble a group of young men and women that really aspire to be the best golf professionals in this country.”
There will be a caddy program, but using a caddy is not mandatory.
Short-game specialist and inventor of the Perfect Putter training tool, Ramon Bescansa, is director of instruction. The Perfect Putter company is headquartered in Jacksonville.
