Carlisle, PA – Carlisle Country Club, one of central Pennsylvania’s most historic golf clubs, announces a multi-million-dollar renovation project under its new ownership group. This transformation will include comprehensive upgrades to its clubhouse and golf course, enhancing the overall member experience, and positioning the club for the next generation of membership.
Founded in 1924 and celebrating its 100th anniversary, Carlisle Country Club was recently acquired by a group of local businessmen led by entrepreneur Mark Toigo.
“We were members –as well as a local business, and we joined socially,” said Toigu. “Then we took a corporate membership. Eventually, I got asked to be on the board. The club was having some struggles and would not be able to sustain itself much longer. Ultimately, our driving factor was to save it and bring in a quality management team to operate it. Like farmland and golf courses, you just can’t lose legacies like this 100-year-old club. It's a real piece of the community, and I was blessed enough to be brought into it.”
Carlisle Country Club will begin its capital improvements and master plan development over the next 24 months. The clubhouse, which is the original barn that’s been on site for 100+ years, will receive a comprehensive remodel to create new spaces like a robust sports bar, golf simulators, and fun outdoor areas that enhance the membership experience and better position the club with current trends in the private club space. In addition, the golf shop will be relocated inside the main clubhouse from its current location on the opposite side of the parking lot and be remodeled with a fresh interior design with more space and fixtures.
“We really want to modernize the club, shifting away from the traditional country club model and atmosphere to a more vibrant and modern club experience, attracting more youth, families, and young professionals,” said Toigo. “Like all capital projects, the clubhouse needs time updating and modernizing, bringing modern technology and design benefits. It will be a multi-year process that will be very exciting for the membership.
The golf course will also be undergoing immediate renovations, as well as a long-range plan with ongoing changes.
“First and foremost, the somewhat antiquated and fractured irrigation system will require a full retrofit to restore the course conditions to the club’s high standards,” continued Toigo. “Adding course enhancements will be fun for members and create a new challenge. It's a beautiful, walkable course with stunning views.”
Carlisle Country Club has retained Fry Straka Global Golf Course Design to consult on ongoing renovations, which aim to enhance the overall playability and member experience while preserving the club's legacy.
“We are very excited to be back in central PA and working with Carlisle Country Club to help them navigate these course enhancements over time,” said Jason Straka, Partner at Fry Straka Global Golf Course Design. “The golf course is a wonderful parkland design with many golden age architectural features that we hope to enhance over time.”
Carlisle Country Club officials are excited about the facility’s direction and the management team they’ve put together with Commonwealth Golf Partners Management, which was selected to lead the course through this transition.
“We’re thrilled that the Carlisle Golf Group and the stellar management group it put together stepped up and committed to our goal to keep Carlisle a private country club,” said Carlisle Country Club Board President, Denise Zimmerman. “The new team’s presence on the property since mid-February has already begun to show noticeable improvements to all aspects of our member experience, and everyone is very excited about the club's future.”
About Carlisle Country Club
Since 1924, Carlisle Country Club has been a haven for those eager to experience outstanding golfing opportunities, friendly and open camaraderie, exciting family and social events, and respite from the hectic pace of life. The property the golf course sits on is located on a site that was once home to the Susquehanna Indians. Indian crafts, tools, and other artifacts were found during excavation for the golf course in 1924 and continue to this day to be discovered. In 1883, the property was purchased by the Federal government for student farmers enrolled at the Carlisle Indian School. Then in 1901, the government sold it, and it became a 157-acre farm up until the property was developed into a golf course. The original plans remain a mystery, but some records indicate that W.H. Follet was the architect of the original nine holes. He was also the architect of Andover Country Club in 1924 and later Valley Country Club. Visit www.carlislecountryclub.com.
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