Tiger Point plans clubhouse repairs
BY BRADLEY "B.J." DAVIS, JR. Gulf Breeze News bjdavis@gulfbreezenews.com

B.J. Davis/Gulf Breeze News Repairs are currently underway at the Tiger Point pro shop. Renovation plans schedule the pro shop to be expanded and moved to the clubhouse. Tiger Point officials say work on the clubhouse should begin in March and be completed in Nov.

The permitting process is underway for the $3 million renovation to the Tiger Point Golf and Country Club clubhouse after being closed since Hurricane Ivan struck in September of 2004.

"We're moving along, finally," Tiger Point General Manager, Aaron Williams, said. "We're anticipating the first week of March that we'll have our building permit as well as starting the demolition process." Williams explained that a portion of the existing patio area of the clubhouse will become a new, larger pro shop. The plans call for filling in the pool, adding an enclosed gazebo and an enlarged dining area that will seat 200 people rather than the pre-Ivan capacity of 120. Closing the banquet facilities is causing financial heartache to Tiger Point Country Club, as events were a staple source of revenue.

"It's tough. It has been almost two and a half years since the hurricane, so you lose that revenue in food and beverage by hosting events," said Williams. Despite what the facility has lacked, Williams is hopeful for the future. Tiger Point residents echo Williams' comments regarding the facility.

"We are disappointed that our clubhouse has not been restored. It's a long time for us to be without one," said Tiger Point resident and President of the Men's Golf Association Ed Sarrat.

However, Tiger Point officials are optimistic with the progress.

"I look at it as we're pressing forward," Williams said. "As a result, in November of this year we're going to have a brand new banquet facility. We're already in the booking stages where we're booking events starting November when we anticipate being open."

As for the West Course that was heavily damaged by Ivan, repairs are still far off.

"We are looking at the winter of this year before we start the renovations to the West Course," said Williams. However, Williams said the East Course is restored to prehurricane condition.

Regardless of the progress, residents are still voicing their concern about the state of the 36-hole course.

"They are very quick to talk about how much money they've spent, but in reality we need both courses and the clubhouse," said Sarrat. "Having the two 18-hole courses is very important. We moved here from New Orleans, and that was one of the reasons." Sarrat added he knows of little activity going on with the back nine holes of the west course, which he considers the most beautiful of the two courses.