2023 !mpact Award Recipient: Avalon Field Club at New Castle
2023 !mpact Award Recipient: AVALON FIELD CLUB AT NEW CASTLE
After nearly $7 million in renovations and upgrades to the former New Castle Country Club, Avalon Golf and Country Club announced the completion of its fifth property, The Avalon Field Club at New Castle, in 2023.
The Avalon Field Club at New Castle was established in 1923 as the New Castle Field Club. World-famous golf architect A. W. Tillinghast originally designed the golf course, and the layout includes his trademark features of great greens and fairways.
Avalon acquired the Lawrence County golf property in May of 2019. While the golf course remained open during the construction and renovation phase, the entire footprint, including the golf course, Clubhouse, and grounds, underwent extensive upgrades and improvements, which has resulted in a destination golf course and country club that rivals the best of the best in the United States.
Mike Case, Director of Marketing and Communications for Avalon Golf and Country Club, shared that the vision for Avalon was to build a country club for the middle class. “When an opportunity came up to purchase the New Castle Country Club, we jumped on it. The reputation of the golf course sells itself.”
He acknowledged that Avalon faced some challenges early in the process. “The main building and Clubhouse needed to be redone. We knew we needed to keep the look but modernize the facility.” Tradition remains important to Avalon, and the original club crest still hangs in the renovated Great Room in the Clubhouse.
Lawrence County also represented a new market for Avalon. “We weren’t sure if we’d attract folks from the Cranberry / north Pittsburgh area or even from Lawrence County at first. But we did attract both golfers and more social members than we expected. So we’re pleased with the reaction and support from the community.”
According to Mike, local realtors are now showing Avalon Field Club at New Castle to people and businesses considering a move to the area. “We have people seeing Lawrence County and our region who wouldn’t ordinarily have visited our community.”
The Avalon Field Club at New Castle is the newest member of the Avalon Golf and Country Club family, joining Avalon Lakes Golf Course in Warren, OH, Avalon at Squaw Creek in Vienna, OH, Avalon at Buhl Park in Hermitage, PA, and the Avalon Athletic Club in Boardman, OH. Avalon Golf and Country Club members have full access to all facilities and amenities at all five Avalon locations, plus enjoy special privileges at The Grand Resort in Warren, OH, a world-class destination resort. Mike adds proudly: “It’s a place where families, young people, and golfers all come together. You’re part of multiple places, and you can travel to any of the five (5) locations and appreciate the beauty of our facilities and the area. We found welcoming people in Lawrence County. It’s only going to get better.”