The semi-private golf course in Hardy, Va., will become a public course effective January 1, 2015. The club also plans to scale back full-service dining, transitioning to a snack bar in the clubhouse.
The Westlake Golf & Country Club in Hardy, Va., will transition from a semi-private golf course and country club to a full public course effective January 1, 2015, the Roanoke (Va.) Times reported.
The Willard Companies, owners of the facility, also announced plans to revise its food service offerings, as well as a new fundraising partnership with the Franklin County High School golf boosters, the Times reported.
The move from semi-private to public will create new playing opportunities for golfers in the region, according to Ron Willard II, vice president of The Willard Companies, the Times reported.
“Going public is a strategic decision in an effort to grow the business by attracting more players,” he said. “We are excited about the conversion and projecting the move will increase our total number of rounds throughout the year.”
The Willard Companies purchased Chestnut Creek in 1996 and renamed it The Westlake Golf and Country Club. Over the years the company—which has renovated both the club facility and the course—offered a variety of membership drives, waived initiation fees and decreased dues, but the membership numbers didn’t justify continuing to operate as semi-private, the Times reported.
Coinciding with the conversion to a public course, The Westlake will discontinue offering full-service dining and transition to a snack bar inside the clubhouse. It will offer burgers, hot dogs, sandwiches and snacks during hours of operation, the Times reported.
Opportunities to join the pool during the summer, as well as room rentals for banquets, meetings, seminars, parties and receptions still will be available. The Westlake has also introduced a new Player’s Card to reward loyal golfers with discounted rates and benefits. It also has partnered with the Franklin County High School golf boosters to sell a Player’s Card as a fundraiser for the team, the Times reported.
The Player’s Card, which costs $120, is a way to recognize and show appreciation for loyal players, including discounted playing fees and other value-added benefits. For each card sold through golf team members, The Westlake will donate $40 back to the boosters to use toward equipment needs, offset travel expenses and to help fund scholarships. The Westlake is also in the process of coordinating similar partnerships with other area high schools, the Times reported.
“The Westlake has always been an important asset to the community and we are committed to keeping it that way,” Willard said.
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