First Look Inside New NJSGA Administrative Offices
The aftermath of Hurricane Sandy did little to change the proposed official late-spring opening of the new 46,000-square foot clubhouse at the Galloping Hill Golf Course that will include the NJSGA’s new administrative offices.
Although there was no electric at the sight for about 10 days, workers were still able to put up drywall and tile and also work in concrete. A paving project for the circular driveway in the front of the building was halted, however.
“We are still on target for a March or early April opening,” said Joe Abood, general manager for KemperSports who helps oversee the project. “But falling a little behind could work out better for us.
“We won’t be opening in the winter and it will give us the proper time to transition to the new building.”
The project is part of the collaboration of KemperSports, the Union County Chosen Board of Freeholders and TaylorMade Golf in upgrading the Galloping hill Golf Course facilities.
Abood said the $17 million project, funded by the Union County taxpayers, may have had its projected March 1 opening delayed by only a couple weeks.
“At this point, the building is about 75 percent completed. We are entering the final stages, where we are painting, tiling and putting in fittings,” said Armando Sanchez, Director of Golf Operations for Union County.
“We’re very happy with the timing. We feel we’re scheduled to move in between March 1 and March 15,” Sanchez added. “We are also pre-booking events for next year for events scheduled as of May 1.”
Together with TaylorMade, Union County and KemperSports have transformed a popular municipal golf course into a modern teaching facility with 27 holes of golf, and with the addition of the new NJSGA headquarters, have created a new home for public golf in New Jersey.
The new additions to Galloping Hill include a modern heated and covered driving range, redesign of the par-three course, chipping areas and a putting complex, the state-of-the-art TaylorMade Performance Lab, the only one of its kind in the metropolitan area.
The NJSGA offices are located on second floor in the southwest corner of the building. The NJSGA space includes six offices, a work station, a conference room and storage areas. The second floor is also home to a 300-person banquet area. Weddings are already planned for 2013.
Hallways on both the first and second floors are being considered for an historical display of New Jersey golf history, which is being conceived by the NJSGA in conjunction with the USGA.
Views from the NJSGA offices include the No. 1 tee box and its fairway, and the course beyond.
The parking area adjacent to the clubhouse was repaved the third week in November.
The brick exterior of the building is complete.
“The finishes on this building are second to none. Everything seems to have been done extremely well. The tile work, the different glasswork, and the stone work with the columns make it a statement building,” Abood said.
“We can’t wait until it opens.”
