Source: Pensacola (Fla.) News Journal
A new chapter has begun in the storied life of Perdido Bay Country Club.
Ground has been broken for a new state-of-the-art clubhouse at Perdido Bay that is expected to be completed this summer.
The new clubhouse, which is expected to cost under $1 million, will have a restaurant, full locker rooms, a drive-through breezeway, a cart barn and full pro shop.
"It is a much-needed amenity that we've been without for the past six or seven years now," Perdido Bay marketing director J.J. Markham said. "We've had a triple-wide trailer for a while now. So this is a nice, new facility for members and golfers.
"Hopefully it will bring more memberships."
The new group of owners-- Tom Crowson, Tom Crowson Jr., Greg Cantrell, Ed Holmes and Brian Speakman-- has done more than build a new clubhouse to boost membership.
They have renovated the cottages adjacent to the golf course along with bringing in greens superintendent Bill Herring, who came from Lost Key.
"The condition of the course is top-shelf," said Markham, a30-year-old Pensacola native. "Its the best I have seen it since I was a kid. It is in fabulous condition, comparative to anything around.
"(The new ownership group) is constantly putting money into making the golf course better, trying to make it as nice as possible. They're not holding back when it comes to that."
The course originally was built to play host to the Pensacola Open, a PGA Tour event that called Perdido Bay home from 1978-1987. It was the site of Curtis Strange's first Tour win.