Pines officials break ground on new Golf clubhouse

(Oct. 1, 2019) Ocean Pines Board members, General Manager John Viola, local builders Marvin Steen and Frank Brown, representatives from the Whayland Company and Davis, Bowen and Friedel, Inc., and members of the golf community on Tuesday, Oct. 1 took part in a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Ocean Pines Golf clubhouse.  

Association President Doug Parks spoke first and thanked the several dozen people who attended the ceremony.  

“This is a very exciting time,” he said. “I wanted to publicly recognize some of the people that have been instrumental in what’s going on … Steve Tuttle has been the Board representative on this project, and he’s done a yeoman’s work in keeping everything up to date [and] keeping the Board up to date. 

“I’d also like to thank everybody else that’s been involved,” Parks continued, recognizing both “the former Board members who supported this and the current Board members who continue to support this, so we can make sure this project is delivered on time, so we can start enjoying a wonderful new facility here at the Golf course.” 

Tuttle, the Association vice president, spoke next, joking he’s “a man of few words.” 

“I’m glad this day is finally here. There’s been a few bumps getting here and I just want to get the construction started. Let’s go!” he said.  

Steen,  a volunteer advisor on the project, declined to speak, but quipped, “I’m fine!” He drew a big laugh from the crowd.  

Viola, last to speak, thanked Board members, as well as Steen, Bill Stamp, Brown, and “all of the other people from the workgroup that have helped out with this and made this possible.” 

“I want to thank everybody in Ocean Pines, as well as the golfers that have supported this place over the years,” Viola said. “Let’s go forward!” 

To view a brief video of the ceremony, visit https://youtu.be/Lgf00XFiV7U.

Construction on the new clubhouse will start this week, with the target date to open the new building next spring. 

The Board in April approved construction of the new building at a guaranteed maximum cost of $1.6 million. The Whayland Company, based in Laurel, Delaware, will oversee construction.  

Salisbury architectural firm Davis, Bowen and Friedel, Inc. developed plans for the roughly 7,200 single-story building, to include a large meeting room and space for the Tern Grille restaurant, along with an outdoor deck, pro shop and club-fitting area. The Matt Ortt Company will oversee the Tern Grille.  

Absolute Demolition of Ocean City demolished the former two-story Golf clubhouse in May.