DOYLESTOWN ‒ The Chippewa Golf Club will soon give golfers the opportunity to roll out of bed and walk right onto the links.
Chippewa — which recently was ranked as one of the top 50 public golf courses in the U.S. by GolfPass — is building an on-site, 2,100-sqare-foot rustic lodge that can sleep eight to 12 people.
Dubbed the “Barndominium,” it will feature four bedrooms, two full baths, a large kitchen, 80-inch television, patio and firepit.
“This is going to be an amazing place,” said Danny Reeves, hospitality director at the course, adding that the facility will overlook the 18-hole golf course best known for a tough three-hole stretch called the “Bermuda Triangle.” “Even if they’re not a golf enthusiast, it’s going to be some great views.”
The Barndominium is expected to open in May, and Chippewa will offer stay-and-play packages. Golf course owners Brad and Melanie Stewart have already lined up Glenmoor Country Club in Jackson Township and Bunker Hill Golf Course in Medina as other courses included in the packages, Reeves said. They hope to add more courses in the region.
But Chippewa also wants the Barndominium to serve as a destination for other events, such as wedding parties and family gatherings.
Reeves declined to say how much is being invested in the project, which comes on the heels of Chippewa renovating its clubhouse, adding new golf carts with GPS and Bluetooth, and updating cart paths.
The course, designed by James Harrison and Ferdinand “Fred” Garbin in 1962, sits along state Route 21 in rural Wayne County between Akron and Massillon.
‘The Barndominium is exciting and not completely surprising’
Chippewa has always been a sought-after course to play but it hopes the Barndominium, which will sit near the ninth green, drives even more interest.
Golf resorts and destinations aren’t new in the industry. Many courses offer stay-and-play packages and even housing on-site, including Ohio sites such as Great Trail Golf Course outside Minerva, Virtues Golf Club in Nashport and Sawmill Creek Resort in Sandusky.
“The definition of destination golf has been changing for some time now, so to see the addition of the Barndominium is exciting and not completely surprising,” National Golf Course Owners Association CEO Jay Karen said. “Golfers are willing to travel off the beaten path for great golf experiences, and unique lodging provides a great opportunity to lift the experience.
“We are seeing investment and expansion of golf lodging, whether built into new and renovated places like Cabot Citrus Farms in rural Florida to established places like Pinehurst Resort with their new and first on-course accommodations, The Cottages at No. 8. Also, outfits like Birdie Houses are betting on golf-specific lodging, as they look to build accommodations at golf courses.”
Golf has seen a boom in participation in recent years, with the National Golf Foundation estimating that 29.1 million people played on a course and another 19 million hit driving ranges, indoor golf simulators and venues like Topgolf last year.
Golfers played more than 500 million rounds at U.S. courses in each of the last six years, despite there being fewer golf courses, the foundation said. The number of rounds played from 2020-2025 also was 21% higher than 2015-2019.
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How much will it cost to stay at the Barndominium?
People will be able to make reservations by calling the course and through the Chippewa website.
There is an eight-person minimum stay, with a maximum number of 12. The cost will be $125 a night per person during the week and $135 on weekends.
Golf packages will be $225 during the week and $272 on the weekends.
There will be a two-day minimum stay on the weekends.
For more details, go to: www.chippewagolfclub.com.
The Canton Repository sports department can be contacted via email at sports@cantonrep.com.