USAFA’s new Eisenhower Golf Course Clubhouse opens for business

Story and photo by Laurie Wilson/May 2018

U.S AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. — The Air Force Academy celebrated the completion of a new clubhouse at the Eisenhower Golf Course with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, May 9.

The event signaled the end of more than a decade’s effort to fund the construction of a new clubhouse.

The clubhouse was completely paid for with funds generated by Air Force Morale, Welfare and Recreation programs, said Carlos Cruz-Gonzalez, the Academy’s deputy director for installations.

“It wasn’t paid for with tax dollars,” he said. “It was built by funds from the Air Force Non-Appropriated Funds programs, generated by services such as Outdoor Rec, the clubs and bowling alleys.”

After the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Col. Patrick Carley, vice commander of the 10th Air Base Wing, toured the 18,000-square foot building with other military and community officials.

“We now have a clubhouse that mirrors our two great courses,” he said, referring to the Silver and Blue courses.

Owen Davies, director of the 10th Force Support Squadron, thanked the golf course staff at the event.

“I couldn’t be more proud of the team that made this happen,” he said.

The original clubhouse is scheduled to be demolished and replaced with a putting green and dining patio.

The club’s namesake, President Dwight Eisenhower, christened the course by hitting the first drive after the original clubhouse opened in 1963. The driver used by the President is hanging in the new clubhouse’s tavern.

The Eisenhower Golf Course Clubhouse is located at 123 Golf Drive, USAF Academy.