The Clubhouse
The Clubhouse:
The Tudor Clubhouse, completed in 1929, has its own unique history. While substantially unchanged for its first twenty years, numerous additions were made to the clubhouse during the ownership period of Henry Williams (1949-1962). A new men's locker room, new showers, card playing rooms and swimming pool were added, improvements jeopardized by an event which occurred in the Spring of 1974.
While fifty people were dining, a fire broke out on the second floor of the clubhouse. Edra Butcher, hostess at Columbia Hills since 1964, recalls that even though smoke was coming from the kitchen into the dining areas, diners refused to evacuate until the flames finally became apparent. Pumping water from the adjacent swimming pool, fifty fireman from Strongsville, Columbia Station and Valley City worked for nearly three hours to bring the blaze under control. When the smoke cleared, the northeast wing of the clubhouse was substantially destroyed. Despite the damage to the clubhouse, Columbia Hills golfers, true to their nature, resumed play the next morning.
As the club moved into the nineties, renovations to the clubhouse continued. In 1989, a new members dining area, grille room, expanded locker room facilities and a ballroom with a magnificent view of the 18th hole were added. Additional renovations in 1992 included a new front entrance, driveway and parking lots.
All of these changes were just a prelude to the developments of the last twelve months. As Richard Coleman, current President of the Board of Trustees describes it, "Columbia Hills for years had been making improvements in a piecemeal manner. The club was at a point of major decision. It was time to either continue to address the needs of a seventy year old building in small steps or, bite the bullet, and do a wholesale renovation program."
After reviewing input from a survey done by McMahon and Associates which indicated that the size of the building was more than adequate to meet the ongoing needs of the membership and after long hours of discussion, the Board of Trustees approved the three quarter of a million dollar clubhouse renovation project.
Utilizing plans developed by board member and architect Bill Davison of Davison, Smith and Certo, the club proceeded on the ambitious restoration project. Sarah Dresing, whose previous work included Elyria, Westwood, Shaker Heights and Lakewood Country Clubs, was hired as the interior designer. While maintaining the Tudor character of the original clubhouse, her creative talents and effective use of colors and textures brought life to a clubhouse which had been showing the effects of its years.
With funding provided through the combination of mortgage refinancing and a slight dues increase, the construction phase of the project began in earnest just a few hours after the club closed its food service on January 1st. Soon the dust was flying as stairways were torn out, unused portions of the clubhouse were brought out of retirement and existing areas were claimed for new uses.
Despite the magnitude of the work, the project was completed on time and on budget for the May 4th Opening Day. Members now enjoy a new pub area, a 1600 square foot outside patio adjacent to the ninth green, and a newly air conditioned patio dining area. The women have a new locker room and lounge area and a renovated grille room is available for member use. Rich woods and French doors throughout the first floor have brought freshness to what previously were darkened, unappealing areas of the club.
The renovation has provided for a wide range of member usage. The traditonal foyer with a wood burning fireplace offers a friendly welcome to members and their guests while an adjacent parlor provides the perfect setting for cocktails and hors d'oeuvres or just some casual conversation. A meeting room is available not only for the Board of Trustees and club committees but also for members wishing to have business programs at the club.