Now named Kalispel Golf and Country Club, the property will add two new golf simulators for year-round appeal, upgrade food-and-beverage offerings, and add state-of-the-art golf carts with GPS and USB ports. The historic golf course will not be altered.
After purchasing the Spokane (Wash.) Country Club late last year, the Kalispel Tribe has begun renovating the golf course for this year, the Spokane-based KXLY reported.
“I have been here 30 years and it’s been a very special part of my life, and I am really looking forward to what’s ahead for us,” said Les Blakely, who has spent the better part of his adult life working at the club in some facet. He eventually became director of golf operations and that’s the title he’ll maintain with the Kalispel Tribe as the new owners of the golf course, KXLY reported.
“From an operational standpoint as far as the golf operations, golf maintenance operations, we have had a great team here for years and, again, I think the tribe recognizes that,” he said.
The tribe bought the club in September 2015, and will be open to the public for the first time in 117 years as a consequence of bruising bankruptcy brought about by losing a gender discrimination lawsuit. Four women members exposed a club culture that did not offer equal access and benefits afforded to male golfers.
It’s why Blakely is excited for all the changes that are happening. Two brand new golf simulators will be added to help maintain a year round appeal for members. The Kalispel Golf and Country Club promises outstanding upgrades in the food and beverage front. They’ll also be adding new, state of the art golf carts with GPS and USB ports sure to entice new members before the season starts, KXLY reported.
But there’s one thing that Les Blakely knows doesn’t really have to change, KXLY reported.
“It’s timeless,” Blakely said about the historic course. “We have a lot of members that are fortunate enough to go down south for the winter and play some really nice golf courses, and they say if they had to play one golf course only it would be this property.”
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