Independence Golf Club has undergone major renovations since its sale in 2013. Photos by Michael Schwartz.
The transformation of a Chesterfield golf club continues.
After unveiling its newly upgraded course last summer, Independence Golf Club recently opened the latest phase of its renovated clubhouse. That includes Tavern 19, its rebranded bar, and Fall Line, a high-end restaurant that was created with the help of experienced Virginia restaurateur Steve Parry.
Those two establishments are the latest in a string of big-money improvements that have been in the works under the club’s new owners, brothers Giff and Alan Breed. Through Pros Inc., the Breeds purchased the course for $3 million in 2013 from its original owner, the Virginia State Golf Association Foundation.
They’ve put millions worth of work on the property so far, Giff Breed said, and they aren’t finished yet. Their goal is to make the club a venue that draws people in for more than just golf and from well beyond the surrounding Founders Bridge neighborhood. Breed said he wants to give visitors a “country club for a day” experience at a public course.
The club recently opened Fall Line, its new restaurant.
“The more we draw them in with these different activities, that’s more of us redoing how golf has been done,” he said.
Breed said the challenge is spreading the word of a high-end atmosphere at a public, daily-fee course and, for example, getting people to think of Fall Line as a fine-dining destination even though it’s at a golf course.
He said he sees a similar potential in weddings and other events.
The club’s wedding business has been nearly non-existent, Breed said. The recent renovations created a new banquet room that overlooks the course.
“Estates and vineyards are generally the magic word for brides, as opposed to a golf course,” Breed said.
Other higher-end touches in the renovations included the creation of the Robins Wine Room, which replaced the club’s trophy case with a large wine collection.
Then there are art, cooking and gardening classes that Breed thinks could be perfect for the property’s cottages, which were originally built as dorms for VSGA youth players. Renovations in those buildings are ongoing.
The Robins Wine Room replaced the club’s trophy room.
That’s not to forget about golf itself. Rounds of golf and events will be the main revenue driver, but Breed is pushing for the club’s main game to become more higher-end, as well.
He’s aiming for about 21,000 rounds of golf to be played at Independence this year, at $85 for a weekend round during in-season and $70 per round the rest of the week.
“We are higher-priced because we feel like we’ve really created a great product,” he said.
The efforts at Independence are getting some attention from the golfing world.
The club recently announced that the PGA Champions Tour is considering Independence for one of its tournaments.
From here, Breed is looking ahead to the next phase of upgrades, including ideas for a hotel and office space on some of the land adjacent to the club.
“I think a boutique hotel with a business center would be very desirable,” he said.
But Breed said he’s waiting to see if the first round of upgrades pays off.
“Folks around here could think we’re insane,” he said. “We’ll judge on the success of the first bets we’ve made.”
Independence Golf Club has undergone major renovations since its sale in 2013. Photos by Michael Schwartz.
The transformation of a Chesterfield golf club continues.
After unveiling its newly upgraded course last summer, Independence Golf Club recently opened the latest phase of its renovated clubhouse. That includes Tavern 19, its rebranded bar, and Fall Line, a high-end restaurant that was created with the help of experienced Virginia restaurateur Steve Parry.
Those two establishments are the latest in a string of big-money improvements that have been in the works under the club’s new owners, brothers Giff and Alan Breed. Through Pros Inc., the Breeds purchased the course for $3 million in 2013 from its original owner, the Virginia State Golf Association Foundation.
They’ve put millions worth of work on the property so far, Giff Breed said, and they aren’t finished yet. Their goal is to make the club a venue that draws people in for more than just golf and from well beyond the surrounding Founders Bridge neighborhood. Breed said he wants to give visitors a “country club for a day” experience at a public course.
The club recently opened Fall Line, its new restaurant.
“The more we draw them in with these different activities, that’s more of us redoing how golf has been done,” he said.
Breed said the challenge is spreading the word of a high-end atmosphere at a public, daily-fee course and, for example, getting people to think of Fall Line as a fine-dining destination even though it’s at a golf course.
He said he sees a similar potential in weddings and other events.
The club’s wedding business has been nearly non-existent, Breed said. The recent renovations created a new banquet room that overlooks the course.
“Estates and vineyards are generally the magic word for brides, as opposed to a golf course,” Breed said.
Other higher-end touches in the renovations included the creation of the Robins Wine Room, which replaced the club’s trophy case with a large wine collection.
Then there are art, cooking and gardening classes that Breed thinks could be perfect for the property’s cottages, which were originally built as dorms for VSGA youth players. Renovations in those buildings are ongoing.
The Robins Wine Room replaced the club’s trophy room.
That’s not to forget about golf itself. Rounds of golf and events will be the main revenue driver, but Breed is pushing for the club’s main game to become more higher-end, as well.
He’s aiming for about 21,000 rounds of golf to be played at Independence this year, at $85 for a weekend round during in-season and $70 per round the rest of the week.
“We are higher-priced because we feel like we’ve really created a great product,” he said.
The efforts at Independence are getting some attention from the golfing world.
The club recently announced that the PGA Champions Tour is considering Independence for one of its tournaments.
From here, Breed is looking ahead to the next phase of upgrades, including ideas for a hotel and office space on some of the land adjacent to the club.
“I think a boutique hotel with a business center would be very desirable,” he said.
But Breed said he’s waiting to see if the first round of upgrades pays off.
“Folks around here could think we’re insane,” he said. “We’ll judge on the success of the first bets we’ve made.”
This is a great improvement! Good job!
Randy
Doesn’t sound insane to me. Sounds like some great upgrades to the facility. I find the idea of a boutique hotel and conference center intriguing. Looking forward to coming out soon and seeing all the improvements.
Giff is doing a great job with innovative ideas and a high level of energy. Giff and his brother are making this a special place!
Our staff ate at the Independence golf course two weeks ago right after Chef Josh Loeb unveiled his new menus and had an absolutely fantastic luncheon. It is a lovely facility and will be a great place for many types of events.