Abbey Springs tees off on $2.5M renovation
Lake Geneva course sells lifetime memberships
Abbey Springs Golf Course in Lake Geneva is planning a $2.5 million upgrade, but the renovation is no chip shot.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, course officials were trying to raise funds by selling $100,000 lifetime memberships, equipped with their own perks, hoping to be able to sell 25 memberships.
But fundraising was put on hold due to the pandemic.
“We had a lot of momentum on that before COVID, and then COVID kind of cut our legs out from under us,” said Jack Shoger, PGA professional at Abbey Springs. “So we decided to fire it up again and see, well, where are we? This is it. Do or die. We’re either going to make this happen or not.”
Shoger said about nine people signed up for lifetime memberships and organizers hope to add another three before the renovation begins in August.
The remainder of the costs would be divided up among the roughly 600 owners of Abbey Springs.
“They understand that they got to keep up with the times,” Shoger said. “It is an investment in their future. They understand that with these changes our golf course is going to be a top-shelf golf course for many years to come.”
The project includes reconstruction of 16 green complexes, including greenside features and bunkers; resurfacing three greens; installing fairway drainage of 15 holes; regrading and expanding ponds on five holes; increasing quality and size of water retention areas; rebuilding 10 fairway bunkers; regrading five fairways and redesigning the short game area.
The development, led by Lohmann Quitno Golf Course Architects, hopes to be wrapped up by the end of April 2022, and during that time the course plans to be temporarily closed.
Upgrading the greens is particularly important. For years, Shoger has heard from frustrated golfers about the green speed being too slow and difficult.
Shoger said the course was built roughly 50 years ago when expectations were different.
“Competition in the meantime has really driven (that factor),” Shoger said. “You’re not any good unless your greens are super-fast. And well, our greens weren’t constructed to be fast. There’s way too much slope and they’re basically unplayable.”
Over the years officials have made some upgrades with its irrigation, chart paths and tees.
Shoger said they rebuilt the most damaged greens but it was a “Band-Aid approach.”
“We’re going to make up for basically 20 years of not being in a position to make those kinds of improvements,” Shoger said. “I truly believe it’s going to, certainly, take us to state tournament quality level, for sure. And I would like to think all of our customers would have a much more positive experience.”