Inspired by the Kevin Costner movie of the same name, the golf-themed restaurant opened to the public on February 1 after eight months of construction. In addition to a restaurant, the venue will be used to host wedding receptions, meetings and ceremonies at the golf course.
Valley Grande (Ala.) Golf Course has received a new addition to its atmosphere with the opening of its new restaurant, the Tin Cup, the Selma (Ala.) Times-Journal reported.
Inspired from the Kevin Costner golfing movie by the same name, owner Steve Smitherman turned his vision of transforming the clubhouse into a restaurant. Like the golf course, it is open to all members of the public, with members receiving discounts, the Times-Journal reported.
The owner of Smitherman Brothers Construction, Smitherman and his son, Ross, began working on the project around eight months ago. He had previously saved the golf course from shutting down around six years ago. His wife, Sybil, said he “revived” the golf course, the Times-Journal reported.
After turning the golf course around, it was time for his next project of providing the golfers with a central location to relax, eat, watch football or have a drink. The Tin Cup is nestled in the back of the golf course neighborhood, formerly known as Ocmulgee. Not conveniently close to any sort of restaurants, Smitherman helped fill the void, the Times-Journal reported.
“People out here need somewhere closer to eat. We have about 75 families in or around the neighborhood. They will drive down on their golf carts and grab a quick bite to eat and head back home. So far, they have been very excited about it,” Smitherman said.
The restaurant went all-in on the golf-themed atmosphere. Memorabilia decorates the walls. A giant “Tin Cup” sign with the “U” represented by a bucket of golf balls hangs from one wall of the venue. The windows all open garage-style to the scent of fresh-cut grass, the Times-Journal reported.
The menu takes on a golf theme as well. Items include the Practice Round (appetizers), On the Green (salads), The Fairway (meat), The Grips (sandwiches and flatbread), Caddies (sides), Birdies (sauces) and Victory Lap (dessert), the Times-Journal reported.
According to the Smithermans, the Tin Cup has been a hit so far. On their soft opening on February 1, they had a rush of 45 people come in at once. The venue can sit 50 people indoors and around 100 people with outdoor seating available, the Times-Journal reported.
The Smithermans are also optimistic that the early success found during the winter months bodes well for their business headed into the warmer months, when golf is typically played. They chose to open during winter so it gives them time to figure out the best way to operate their daily routines. After the large rush on opening night, Smitherman said the staff is “rolling” and settled in, the Times-Journal reported.
“Starting now gives us a chance to figure things out before it gets crazy,” Smitherman said. “We want to figure out our process before the warmer months.”
The restaurant will not only be used as a venue for hungry golfers, but will also host larger scheduled events, such as wedding receptions, meetings and ceremonies, the Times-Journal reported.
“The clubhouse can be used for so many different things,” Sybil Smitherman said. “We hope that the restaurant and events can help keep the golf going when it is slow, and we hope that the golf can help keep the restaurant and events going when they are slow.”
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