Brighter future for Rosedale clubhouse

Ninety-year-old Mac Rouse usually would have been playing golf the morning of Sept. 30, but much to the delight of his neighbors and the owners of the Rosedale Golf & Country Club, he traded his golf clubs for a pair of oversized scissors.

He and fellow longtime Rosedale resident Thomas Kramlick cut a ceremonial ribbon before CH6, the club’s owner made up of an investor group composed of executives of Naples-based Coral Hospitality and various fund and individual partners, reopened the clubhouse after more than six weeks of renovations. Rouse and Kramlick are some of Rosedale’s original residents.

“There’s not many clubs in the area that compete with what we’ve created,” said Christopher Schaeffer, managing member for Rosedale Golf & Country Club, of the improved facility.

CH6-Rosedale, which bought the club Oct. 1, 2015, auctioned off old furniture and fixtures Aug. 17 and began renovations.

“We took our time and made sure we did it right,” Clubhouse Manager Kevin Conway said. “It’s all new floors, wall coverings, furniture, kitchen equipment, plate ware — everything your eye can see, pretty much. It needed modernization.

“We hope this shows our ownership is dedicated to this membership,” he added. “We want to stay on the front edge of country clubs and keep pace with the competition.”

Rosedale’s golf course opened in April 1993. The club has about 500 members.

Rosedale members said they love the changes, which made the clubhouse feel modern and bright.

“It’s fabulous,” Rosedale resident and member Debby Kehoe said. “This will draw more people. It’s day and night. Everything before was so dark.”

Friend Debbie Judge added, “I think this now will compete with other clubs.”

Since acquiring the club and golf course, CH6 has invested more than $1.5 million in improving the facilities, including upgrades to the pool and fitness areas, clubhouse and outdoor patio, among others.