Staff Photo by Dan Henry / The Chattanooga Times Free Press- 9/27/16. Billy Ware lays block as construction continues at the Chattanooga Golf and Country Club pool renovation on Tuesday, September 27, 2016. Fast facts
› Chattanooga Golf and Country Club, located about five minutes from downtown and founded in 1896, has the oldest course at its original site in Tennessee, according to the club. Located on the banks of the Tennessee River at the end of the old Riverview trolley line, the club was formed only eight years after the opening of the first golf course in the United States.› The $6 million expansion will include a redesign of the current pool with the addition of a zero-entry section for young children with splash pads. Also, a new adult pool with pool bar will be built. In addition, a new fitness center will go up along with upscale outdoor and screened-in dining area.› Morgan Construction Co. is doing the work on the expansion project, which is expected to be ready in May 2017.
Chattanooga Golf and Country Club has teed up its biggest expansion in at least two decades as it seeks to drive future growth by connecting with families.
“People are doing more as a family,” said Michael Murray, the club’s general manager. “We needed to be more family friendly.”
In a $6 million effort, the club has redesigned its existing pool and is adding a “zero-entry” section for young children with splash pads while building a new adult pool. Also, a fully equipped fitness center is under construction along with an upscale outdoor and screened-in dining area, Murray said.
Murray said the club industry has changed. Where golf used to be the driver – and the club still operates its 18-hole course along the Tennessee River in Riverview – people are expecting more, he said.