www.HartfordBusiness.com • June 24, 2019 • Hartford Business Journal 3
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Joe Shiman | President, Hop Meadow Country Club
By Sean Teehan
steehan@hartfordbusiness.com
H
op Meadow Country Club in Simsbury
recently debuted a new $1 million outdoor
patio bar-dining space expansion.
The 2,578-square-foot addition is the golf club's
largest investment in 20
years, and Hop Meadow
President Joe Shiman says it
was important to its future.
"While we know we will al-
ways have a strong golf com-
munity, we needed to look
to the future and see how
families and friends want to
spend their precious leisure
time," Shiman said. "This
new facility gives members limitless ways to relax
and unwind, and quality dining and refreshing
views carefully blended
with the newest tech-
nologies are relevant to
all generations."
Shiman, a golfer
himself who typically
shoots between 85
and 95, says invest-
ing money in non-golf
amenities provides
necessary appeal
to non-golfers, and
enables Hop Meadow
to help display Sims-
bury's beauty.
With golf season in
full swing (pun intended), how is the patio add-
ing to the club so far?
Club members are social, and good clubs work
to provide the best venues for this. Our new facil-
ity perfectly allows for flow between our tennis,
golf and pool areas.
Members are using the new facility as a walk-
way between these areas and are stopping to
chat, have lunch or grab a drink after.
How important are facilities like bars and patios
to members versus the actual golf course?
We have always been exceedingly proud of the
natural beauty and condition of our golf facility.
That said, we have families that do not play golf.
More than just sports, our new gathering areas
provide casual gathering spaces that make it
easy for friends to connect.
Many have commented that they feel like they
are away on vacation. Combined with our tennis
and pool we are trying to create a resort-like set-
ting that overlooks our championship golf course.
Have you seen an uptick in membership since
opening the new patio?
Absolutely, membership is expanding and
momentum builds. We are exceeding expectations
used in the financial models we created assessing
the viability of this complex project. The board of
directors — mostly comprised of local business-
women and men — are very happy about this.
Some classes of membership are now full,
while others approach
levels we have not ex-
perienced in years.
How important are
formal events like
weddings to business
at Hop Meadow?
Great question, the
simple answer is very!
These event revenues
help us better manage
our membership dues
and capital reinvest-
ment. This patio can
now accommodate
larger, more upscale
events, allowing us to be more selective, maximiz-
ing club access for members.
What is the most challenging aspect of running
a country club that few people would expect?
The number of people it takes to make this all
happen. When I share with people that we are one of
the largest employers in Simsbury, they are shocked.
Expert operational management coupled with
golf, tennis and swimming professionals, then
add specialized turf management, this is a pure
comprehensive entertainment venue.
DESIGN/BUILD SOLUTIONS…ONE SOURCE
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facility is the same company you can rely on to maintain them. For over 50 years, our
clients have trusted us to manage projects from concept to completion.
We are experts in:
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860.871.1111 Toll Free: 800.741.6367 nemsi.com
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MECHANICAL • ELECTRICAL • PLUMBING • SHEET METAL • BUILDING AUTOMATION • FACILITIES SERVICES
Joe Shiman
The $1 million, 2,578-square-foot patio space at Hop
Meadow Country Club in Simsbury.
PHOTO
|
CONTRIBUTED