Jeffersonville Golf Club in Norriton Township, Pa. invested more than $11 million in new facilities, including an 18,000-sq.-ft. clubhouse. The new clubhouse includes a pro shop, banquet hall, bar, golf simulators, and a restaurant named The Burgess Restaurant and Bar.
Jeffersonville Golf Club has undergone significant changes with the introduction of The Burgess, transforming it into more than just a place to play golf. Owned by West Norriton Township, Pa., the club invested more than $11 million in new facilities, including an 18,000-sq.-ft. clubhouse. The new clubhouse includes a pro shop, banquet hall, bar, golf simulators, and a restaurant named The Burgess Restaurant and Bar.
Opened in June, The Burgess offers upscale casual American fare and has become a popular dining spot with 25 employees and space for 102 diners, both indoors and outdoors.
The club’s previous pro shop operated out of an old barn on the 18-hole, par-70 public golf course, which has always been a major attraction. However, the club previously lacked the amenities to complement the course. The new facilities aim to enhance the overall experience for visitors.
The primary objective of The Burgess was to offer additional dining options to both township residents and visitors from across the region. Planning for the new clubhouse began in 2017, with township officials conducting market and fiscal analyses to determine the need. The decision was made to include dining options that would complement the township rather than compete with existing offerings.
Construction on the clubhouse began in November 2022, with the $11.6 million project resulting in two kitchens, a private event space, a pro shop, six golf simulators, and dining options both upstairs and downstairs. The downstairs Bunker Bar provides grab-and-go options for golfers, while The Burgess offers a more traditional dining experience. The pro shop opened in early March, and private events have already been hosted in the banquet room.
The new clubhouse also features a public art partnership with the Greater Norristown Art League, displaying rotating artwork from local artists, with QR codes available for purchasing the pieces. Jeffersonville Golf Club has also launched community initiatives, including honey production on the property to fund environmental projects and a co-op program with Norristown Area High School, with plans to expand opportunities in business and culinary programs. Additionally, a foundation is being formed to provide scholarships to local students.
Further community engagement efforts include a proposed partnership with Jefferson Health systems to offer golf activities for Alzheimer’s and dementia patients, fostering relationships with caretakers and providing social enjoyment through the sport. This program is expected to launch in the spring.
Despite these modernizations, the club remains committed to honoring its history. The land where the club now sits was once used for horse racing in the late 1800s and early 1900s. It later became the Montgomery Riding Academy before being converted into a golf course in 1931 with the help of renowned golfer and course architect Donald Ross. The course was operated independently by the Evans family until the township acquired it in 1972. The clubhouse pays tribute to this rich history with displays of photos, newspaper articles, and memorabilia from the original course.
The restaurant’s name, The Burgess, is a nod to Anson B. Evans, a former mayor of Norristown and a key figure in the club’s history. The entire building reflects this connection to the past, making it relatable and personal to those familiar with the course’s heritage.
As Jeffersonville Golf Club looks to the future, it continues to respect its historical journey, from its beginnings as a horse racing venue to becoming a premier golf destination in West Norriton Township.
Club + Resort Business reported in April 2021 that the township was considering an offer to lease space on the golf course for a cell tower.
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