Changes ahead for Premier managed courses

Premier Golf can never be accused of sitting on its hands. Currently managing 11 golf courses throughout the Puget Sound area, the golf course management company has changes brewing at Jackson Park Golf Course, Jefferson Park Golf Course, Bellevue Golf Course and Lynnwood Golf Course.

Premier Golf also operates Interbay Golf Center with its driving range, nine-hole course and 18-hole miniature golf course, West Seattle Golf Course, Lake Spanaway Golf Course, Fort Steilacoom Golf Course and Lake Wilderness Golf Course. In Everett, Premier also manages Legion Memorial and Walter Hall Golf Courses.

• The project that will be completed the earliest is the new driving range at Jackson Park Golf Course, just north of downtown Seattle.

The new two-tiered, 50-stall, covered and lit, all-weather driving range at Jackson Park Golf Course will celebrate its grand opening in November. The driving range was built on the site of the original hole number 10. In late 2012 and early 2013, the course made some changes to their existing layout in order to fit this new driving range on its property.

• At Jefferson Park Golf Course in downtown Seattle, clubhouse construction has been underway for 11 months and progress is solid.

The new building will feature a 50-stall double decker heated, all-weather driving range with Seattle skyline views. Along with a new pro shop, learning center and club repair facility, the clubhouse will also host the new Beacon Grill Restaurant & Bar providing both indoor and outdoor banquet facilities.

The new facility is scheduled to open in early March of 2015, the new facility will not only serve as a new golf course clubhouse, but as a fabulous community gathering place.

• At Bellevue Golf Course, construction for the new driving range is underway.

The new range will be built roughly 30 yards behind the existing range, allowing the existing range to remain for the majority of the construction. The new Range will feature a two-story structure with 48 hitting stations, doubling the current capacity. There will be 38 covered stations with heating and lighting and 10 open air stations with lighting.

Head Professional, Troy Rodvold is excited that this new range will remedy several shortfalls of the existing range. “We will no longer have 30-45 minute waits during peak times for golfers to hit range balls.”

“In addition, the lighting and heating will greatly enhance the experience of golfers in the winter, when it is typically cold and dark by the time most people get off of work”.

In addition, Bellevue instructors will be able to increase the offering of Junior Programs, Beginner Clinics, “Ladies Nights” and other programs that were not possible in the past, due to the limited amount of hitting stations.

The new range is expected to open in March 2015 at Bellevue Golf Course.

• At Lynnwood Golf Course, the course is currently working on a new forward tee box on hole number 2. The new tee, set from 115 – 135 yards, will offer another option for golfers on hole number 2. Shortened from 157-189 yards, Lynnwood Golf Course is hoping it can be used on busy days to reduce the backup on the hole and ultimately speed up play. The changes could be open by April 2015.