Timberlake Country Club: From Struggling Course to Top-Ranked Gem

Timberlake Country Club Transforms from ‘Goat Track’ to Top-Ranked Golf Course in Five Years

Located just west of Chapin, off Amicks Ferry Road, Timberlake Country Club is basking in the glory of its recent transformation. Established back in 1987, this golf course not only boasts a beautiful layout, but it also features a par-5 finishing hole that stretches into picturesque Lake Murray. Once struggling with significant issues, the course has turned its reputation around in just five short years.

A Checkered Past

Let’s dive into what the course was like before this revival. Timberlake faced quite a few challenges over the years, stemming from multiple ownerships, two bankruptcies, and some pretty rough conditions. In fact, at one point, an online critic even dubbed it a “goat track.” Ouch! That stung and, as it turns out, served as a wake-up call.

Turning Things Around

In light of the criticism, Timberlake Country Club rolled up its sleeves and launched a five-year improvement plan. The best part? They managed to make all these significant upgrades and renovations without adding any additional debt. Albert Bueno, president of the member-owned club, emphasized that every improvement was made only when funds were available, making the entire process financially sustainable.

Projects Galore

What exactly did they tackle? The list is impressive. They resurfaced the greens, *turned a former storage area into a cozy snack bar*, completely replaced their golf cart fleet, and enhanced their irrigation systems. Not stopping there, they also expanded their maintenance staff and resurfaced the cart paths, ensuring a smoother ride on the course.

Fitness fanatics will appreciate the newly installed fitness center, while golf enthusiasts can now enjoy an updated pro shop. For those who love a little pickleball mixed with their tennis, new courts were added on the existing tennis courts. And no one likes portable restrooms, so the club replaced them with permanent fixtures throughout the course!

On top of all that, they made repairs to the retaining walls that protect greens from pond water and invested in new maintenance equipment to keep everything in tip-top shape. Looking ahead, they even have plans to rework the bunkers, which is sure to impress many golfers.

Superintendent Makes a Mark

A big shoutout goes to Superintendent Steve Stuber who played a crucial role in elevating the course’s fairways. His hard work was key in helping to shake off that harsh “goat track” label. And golfers have taken notice—feedback has been overwhelmingly positive! Many have praised the conditions of the course as simply marvelous, particularly for this time of year.

Community Efforts and Boost in Membership

The renovations were kickstarted before the COVID-19 golf boom, stemming from those earlier negative comments. To ensure things were back on track, the club enlisted PGA professional Jimmy Koosa, who had a hand in the original design.

Back in 2008, club members took a leap of faith and purchased Timberlake to secure its future amid financial woes. They even refinanced the original loan to lower interest rates, providing the much-needed funds for upgrades. Grassroots involvement has also played a significant role, with members volunteering for maintenance work like tree removal and laying down new sod as part of “Operation Sunshine.”

Membership at the club has seen a incredible rise—jumping from 212 in 2017 to a whopping 538 today! This surge has not only expanded the men’s golf association but has also attracted a younger demographic to the club.

Rising Popularity and Future Plans

Timberlake Country Club’s facilities are now open to the public, with green fees sitting around $70—a bit on the higher side for the area, but demand has doubled! However, due to this rising popularity and an influx of members, the club may have to impose restrictions on outside play moving forward.

Bueno adds that the club’s remarkable transformation was achieved with hardly any assessments and no increase in dues since 2016. Timberlake is now not just making headlines for its breathtaking finishing hole; it’s an obvious contender for top-ranking golf courses in the region!