The updated clubhouse features more open space, new furniture and flooring, and natural stone accents throughout. The renovated dining facilities give diners a better view of the golf course, and offer a new bar and menu, with future plans to improve the outdoor deck space.

Lawrence (Kan.) Country Club has completed a major renovation of its first floor, opening up the space and adding new furniture, flooring, and natural stone accents throughout, the Lawrence (Kan.) Journal-World reported.

“It is a complete facelift and modernization of our dining facilities,” said General Manager Rheanne Etken.

The new design also highlights the dining room’s large windows, giving diners a better view of the golf course and the horizon of northern and west Lawrence, the Journal-World reported.

“We feel like we have really opened it up to the most gorgeous views you will find in Lawrence,” Etken said. “That was one of our big goals.”

In addition, the renovations included a new bar area and a new bar menu that features dishes such as noodle bowls, a charcuterie plate from Lawrence’s Hank’s Charcuterie, potato dumplings, and a country club classic: shrimp cocktail, the Journal-World reported.

The cold cut, salad and soup bar has been replaced with a made-to-order lunch menu. The dining makeover by executive chef Todd Schneekloth includes salads, soups and sandwiches that range from Philly cheesesteaks to salmon. The dinner menu includes a variety of steaks, pasta, fried chicken and one dish that Etken said will always be a mainstay on the menu, the Journal-World reported.

“You will never see liver and onions leave our menu,” Etken said.

The renovations come at a time when the competition between the city’s two country clubs is likely to heat up. Alvamar Golf & Country Club has been purchased by a local group led by businessman Thomas Fritzel. Alvamar’s private clubhouse is currently under renovation, and plans have been filed with City Hall to add more housing around the course, the Journal-World reported.

Etken said industrywide country club business has begun to bounce back from a sharp downturn during the recession. At LCC, she said a new generation of residents are now starting club memberships, the Journal-World reported.

“Our average age of members is 50, but the average age of new members is 42,” she said. “In the industry we have a pretty young membership. As a result, we’re trying to do more family events at the club. We want the club to match our members’ lives.”

The club currently is in a period of community outreach. It will have an open house on April 15 where the general public can tour the club and sample some of its appetizers and cocktails. On April 11, the club also is opening up its 18-hole golf course for play by the general public, the Journal-World reported.

C&RB featured how Lawrence CC’s course and grounds department helped the club prepare for its 100th anniversary in its December 2014 issue.

As for future plans, Etken said the club—which is owned by its members—is considering other renovations, with a plan to improve the outdoor deck space of the clubhouse high on the list of possible projects, the Journal-World reported.