Significant Enhancements Promise the Ultimate Golfer Experience at BBCC
We’re walking the walk (not just talking the talk) when we say that big steps are taking place to restore the grounds of our golf course. Our goal? To improve the golfer experience at Blue Bell Country Club in beautiful Montgomery County.
It's not a task that we take lightly, as property owner Bud Hansen explains. “We started an initiative to become the ‘Farm of the Future’ three years ago and these projects are a continuation of that effort. We market ourselves as ‘Two Landmark Destinations, One Historic Experience’ and the primary goal is to improve the customer experience at both sister properties.”
On one side of the street, we have Normandy Farm, which is heavily focused on growing its corporate-retreat business, while on the other side of the street is Blue Bell Country Club, which is focused on delighting golfers with a challenging course and amenities.
Close to $2 million—funded entirely by the owners—is being invested to refresh and restore the aesthetics of several holes of our Arnold Palmer signature course. Our goal for our golf members is to provide an environment of consistency and cohesiveness with an award-winning design.
A massive overhaul of the irrigation system promises to deliver a better golfer experience, as do other course projects currently underway. The piping for the new irrigation system requires the demolition of some of the fairway bunkers. Our irrigation system will give us complete control to better manage the flow of water at different slopes of the course. Also, the new Better Billy Bunker System has an innovative design that will offer better recovery after rain, allowing our golfers to have full use of the course more quickly.
Curtis Harder, golf course superintendent, provides a behind-the-scenes glimpse: “The golf course infrastructure changes in the coming weeks include renovation to green side bunkers in addition to the installation of the new irrigation system. These projects will significantly impact the golf course from both an agronomic standpoint as well as playability.” Curtis said additional major improvements have also been going on with “our staff, who have been hard at work doing in-house improvements with removal of select trees, removal of select bunkers and installation of a new 10,000-square-foot greens nursery. As these projects finish and new ones begin, my staff and I are very excited for the future here at BBCC.”
While the course remains fully open during all projects with minimal disruption, the renovation is scheduled for completion in June. The golf course has not had a renovation of this magnitude since it opened 23 years ago.
Our management team is also promoting enhancements with the addition of a relaxing, state-of-the-art fire pit to elevate social events. Scotch and cigar nights, wine walks and exclusive events hosted by chef Drew Smalbach, CEC at Putter’s Grill, as well as additional entertainment, are on the social calendar for 2017.
Membership information can be found here or by calling (215) 616-8508. Stay tuned to our Facebook page and Instagram for up to the minute information.
Located just 25 minutes from Center City Philadelphia and situated in the heart of Blue Bell, Pa., Normandy Farm Hotel and Conference Center is more than a meticulously restored American landmark—it's a fully wired, high-tech hospitality venue. Relax on our grand terrace, sip a cocktail in America's oldest silo, play a challenging game of golf on our championship course, plan an event with us or dine on our delectable farm-to-table cuisine. It all adds up to One Historic Experience.
