Elkader Golf Course celebrates grand opening of ‘The Turn’
Pictured is the interior of “The Turn,” the newly remodeled clubhouse bar at the Elkader Golf Course. The updates included new lighting, bar, tables, chairs and stools. The project, which involved gutting the existing space, was completed in less than a month with the help of members volunteering their time.
By Kaitlyn Kuehl-Berns | Times-Register
The Elkader Golf Course will celebrate the grand opening of “The Turn,” a remodeled and rebranded version of the longtime clubhouse bar that had not been updated in more than 50 years, on April 1.
The project followed a decision by the golf course board earlier this year to update the space, with renovations completed in less than a month.
Golf course manager Ryan Burke said the remodel was intended to improve the space for both members and visitors, while also creating a more social atmosphere in the clubhouse.
“It took us about three weeks of work, four weeks total because we were waiting on stuff,” Burke said.
The project involved gutting the existing space and starting over. Burke said the work included tearing out ceilings, wiring, false walls and the old bar before installing brighter lighting, a new bar, tables, stools and chairs.
The new bar has increased seating from about five or six people to 16. The remodel also added three 65-inch televisions and a jukebox.
The result, Burke said, is a more comfortable space where people can stay and gather after golfing.
“It’s more of a sports bar-type atmosphere, a place people want to stay and hang out after they are done golfing,” Burke said.
The name “The Turn” was chosen after board members each submitted ideas and voted on their favorite at a recent board meeting.
“We all wrote down different names and at the last board meeting voted on what we liked the most,” Burke said. “In golf, ‘the turn’ is the halfway point of a round, where players head back toward the clubhouse and often grab refreshments, food or go to the bathroom. So now it’s, ‘Let’s grab some refreshments at The Turn.’”
Burke said the space is intended to serve golfers as well as the broader community.
“We’re hoping that non-members see more value in being a member of our golf course,” he said. “But it is a public course. You don’t have to be a member to golf or come to The Turn. Everyone is welcome.”
While every project brings challenges, Burke said there was nothing the group could not work through.
“There was a lot of help from people who worked a lot of nights and weekends and long hours,” he said. “There were some days where we were there for 16, 17 hours. But we knew our goal was to complete it by April 1, and we beat it by a week.”
Burke said he is especially proud of how people came together to make the project happen on a short timeline.
Members donated their time so there was no labor cost, and Mark Hampton of Hampton Construction was credited with leading much of the project with his tools and expertise.
For the most part, Burke said the clubhouse will continue serving the same purpose as before, but he hopes the updated space encourages people to stick around longer after tournaments, events and rounds of golf.
Board members said they are excited about the finished project and are looking forward to seeing what others think during the grand opening.
