Aldeen Golf Club adds new terrace for 2012 Patrons at Aldeen Golf Club will be able to enjoy the addition of a beautiful new terrace along the west side of the clubhouse in spring 2012. The nearly 5,000-square foot concrete terrace will feature seating for 40 people at tables of four under umbrellas, an outdoor kitchen and grill, a fire pit with casual lounge seating, and an open area for outdoor parties, all surrounded by boulders and professionally designed landscaping.
The project, which has been funded by a very generous private donation, has been in the design process for well over a year. The plan was finalized in the summer of 2011, and construction began in October. In an effort to improve the overall food and beverage experience at Aldeen, and to help the restaurant operation incorporate the new outdoor dining, the interior of the clubhouse is being modified as well. The bar area is being moved to the west side of the clubhouse to overlook the terrace and to allow patrons to
enjoy the view of the golf course. The terrace will be accessible from the dining room or from the south end of the clubhouse. There will also be access from the terrace to the practice green. To help maintain the pace of play on the course, players “making the turn” to the back nine will be served at a concession window on the terrace. “We are really excited to have the ability to offer outdoor dining this season,” said Randy Baker, owner of Five Forks Market and Noonan’s at
Aldeen. “This will allow us to create a dinner menu and will help our customers enjoy the most beautiful view in the area.” The new menu will feature steaks, sandwiches, and salads. Plan on a bite to eat after your round this season, or stop in for lunch or dinner. Enjoy a drink by the fire and the aroma of steaks on the grill. The staff at Noonan’s is looking forward to serving you, now inside or out! ◆
Aldeen expands its partnership with golfnow.com After almost a year of work on a computer interface that allowed the Rockford Park District’s electronic system to work with the industry’s leading tee time reservation system, golfnow.com, Aldeen Golf Club implemented an online greens fee booking system in 2011. “We went from getting a handful of internet booked tee times in previous years to almost 900 rounds being booked through golfnow.com in 2011,” said Duncan Geddes, PGA Professional at
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Aldeen. During the first year, tee times based on standard greens fees were offered, but in 2012 patrons will have the ability to book tee times with the resident discount (provided they meet residency requirements), and the same goes for those with a season permit. The golfnow.com platform allows facilities to manage their tee sheets by offering “demand based pricing,” which helps maximize the use of the facility by offering discounts based on when the reservations are
made and what time of day or day of the week players want. “While we raised our greens fees for the first time in many years, we are also offering reduced fees at many times throughout the week, so players can see lower rates based on when they play. The golf business is very competitive, and we need to make sure we continue to try new things that will maximize the use of this community asset,” said Geddes. ◆