Michigan Club Undergoes Major Transformation with New Championship Course, Expanded Amenities
The historic Kalamazoo (Mich.) Country Club, established in 1908, is undergoing a sweeping transformation aimed at turning the private facility into a premier, year-round destination for its members. Spearheaded by Greenleaf Hospitality Group and its CEO, Tim Rayman, the project includes the addition of elite athletic and social amenities, as well as the debut of a new championship-caliber golf course.
Since acquiring the club for $3.1 million in 2021, Greenleaf has steadily advanced plans to reshape the member experience. The multi-phase renovation is expected to culminate in 2026 and 2027, marking a new era for the 116-year-old institution.
A major highlight of the project is the appointment of renowned golf course architect Andrew Green to design both an 18-hole championship course and an 11-hole executive course. Known for his restoration work on some of the nation’s most storied courses—including Oak Hill, Inverness, and Congressional—this will be one of Green’s first signature courses designed entirely from the ground up.
Green’s design philosophy leans heavily on the Golden Age of golf architecture, drawing inspiration from early 20th-century layouts that use natural landforms creatively and sustainably. At Kalamazoo, he plans to integrate sweeping fairways, uniquely contoured greens, and a variety of playable hazards to offer a balance of challenge and enjoyment for golfers of all skill levels. A portion of the current clubhouse footprint will be repurposed into holes that overlook Whites Lake, restoring much of the land to a more natural state.
Construction on the 18-hole course is slated to begin at the end of the 2025 season, with an anticipated member debut in 2027. Meanwhile, the 11-hole executive course, alongside a state-of-the-art golf performance center, will open in spring 2026. The performance center will feature a short-game area, driving range, and a 30,000-square-foot practice green.
Beyond golf, the renovation introduces a slate of new amenities aimed at enhancing year-round engagement. These include three indoor and six outdoor racquet courts for tennis, pickleball, and paddle tennis, along with four resort-style pools—one featuring a waterslide. A fitness center, both casual and formal dining venues, lounges, and multiple event spaces are all scheduled to open in early 2026.
The expansion is being led in partnership with Baltimore-based Chambers USA and local firm The CSM Group Inc., although Greenleaf has not disclosed the total investment amount. As part of the upgrade, the existing clubhouse is being demolished to make way for the new course routing and updated facilities.
Membership interest in the club has surged since the acquisition, with steady growth each year. Currently, the club has approximately 350 golf members and 80 social members. The project also reflects broader national trends, with golf participation surging since the pandemic. According to the National Golf Foundation, 47 million Americans played golf in 2024—up from 34 million in 2019—driving strong demand across both public and private facilities.
In Michigan alone, there are 859 golf courses across 709 facilities, and reinvestment in club infrastructure is becoming increasingly common as operators seek to meet this growing demand.
To support its expanded operations, Greenleaf anticipates adding about 50 frontline roles and 15 to 18 professional positions in culinary arts, hospitality, fitness, and events.
