by Michele Newbern Gillis
Staff Writer
Contractors worked feverishly for 14 straight months to complete the new TPC Sawgrass clubhouse before The Players Championship this year and they did.
But, what opportunities now lay ahead for this 77,000 square foot Mediterranean revival style building that cost $38.5 million to build?
Bill Hughes, general manager of the TPC clubhouse, spoke at the Northeast Florida Association of Realtors Ponte Vedra Council breakfast last month at the new clubhouse.
Hughes said that during The Players, the building is a thriving place to be, but they still have to run the clubhouse the other 51 weeks of the year and the possibilities are unlimited.
“We have 11,000 square feet of banquet space on the second floor and 11,000 square feet on the patio,” he said. “We are evolving into what we are going to be. We could be the wedding capital of the world. We are evolving, but we will never lose the core of what we are when we started.”
Hughes said the new clubhouse will provide PGA Tour players and their families, spectators, sponsors with a one-of-a-kind hospitality facility during The Players as well as banquet and meeting amenities for resort guests, individuals and organizations throughout the year.
“There will be a social calendar for the club that will include wine dinners, chef’s themed dinners, ladies night out, brunch for the children with Santa, you name it,” he said. “There is going to be an avenue of making this a very special dining experience and social experience at this facility.”