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Updated: June 24, 2019 Newsmakers

Hop Meadow Country Club president touts club after $1M patio renovation

Photo | Contributed The $1 million, 2,578-square-foot patio space at Hop Meadow Country Club in Simsbury.
By Sean Teehan

Hop Meadow Country Club in Simsbury recently debuted a new $1 million outdoor patio bar-dining space expansion.

Joe Shiman

The 2,578-square-foot addition is the golf club’s largest investment in 20 years, and Hop Meadow President Joe Shiman says it was important to its future.

“While we know we will always have a strong golf community, we needed to look to the future and see how families and friends want to spend their precious leisure time,” Shiman said. “This new facility gives members limitless ways to relax and unwind, and quality dining and refreshing views carefully blended with the newest technologies are relevant to all generations.”

Shiman, a golfer himself who typically shoots between 85 and 95, says investing money in non-golf amenities provides necessary appeal to non-golfers, and enables Hop Meadow to help display Simsbury’s beauty.

With golf season in full swing (pun intended), how is the patio adding to the club so far?

Club members are social, and good clubs work to provide the best venues for this. Our new facility perfectly allows for flow between our tennis, golf and pool areas.

Members are using the new facility as a walkway between these areas and are stopping to chat, have lunch or grab a drink after.

How important are facilities like bars and patios to members versus the actual golf course?

We have always been exceedingly proud of the natural beauty and condition of our golf facility. That said, we have families that do not play golf. More than just sports, our new gathering areas provide casual gathering spaces that make it easy for friends to connect.

Many have commented that they feel like they are away on vacation. Combined with our tennis and pool we are trying to create a resort-like setting that overlooks our championship golf course.

Have you seen an uptick in membership since opening the new patio?

Absolutely, membership is expanding and momentum builds. We are exceeding expectations used in the financial models we created assessing the viability of this complex project. The board of directors — mostly comprised of local businesswomen and men — are very happy about this.

Some classes of membership are now full, while others approach levels we have not experienced in years.

How important are formal events like weddings to business at Hop Meadow?

Great question, the simple answer is very! These event revenues help us better manage our membership dues and capital reinvestment. This patio can now accommodate larger, more upscale events, allowing us to be more selective, maximizing club access for members.

What is the most challenging aspect of running a country club that few people would expect?

The number of people it takes to make this all happen. When I share with people that we are one of the largest employers in Simsbury, they are shocked.

Expert operational management coupled with golf, tennis and swimming professionals, then add specialized turf management, this is a pure comprehensive entertainment venue.

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