Silver Creek Valley CC begins improvements, selects new GM and COO

Silver Creek Valley Country Club in San Jose, Calif., has begun its multimillion dollar improvement plan and has selected a new general manager (GM) and chief operating officer (COO).

Silver Creek’s improvement plan will inject $5.1 million in facility refurbishments and upgrades into the 22-year-old club. A major focus of the improvement plan will be the 34,000-square-foot clubhouse, which will receive new carpet, furnishings, tile work, dining area enhancements and locker room renovations. The improvement plan work began in January and is slated to conclude before the year ends.

In line with the enhancement project is the appointment of Barrett Eiselman, CCM, as the club’s new GM and COO. Eiselman’s career in private clubs spans more than 25 years, including a successful tenure in Danville, Calif., as well as with Troon Golf from 2001-08. During his time with Troon, Eiselman was instrumental in founding the company’s private club operating division called Troon Privé.

“These are exciting times at Silver Creek Valley Country Club,” Eiselman says. “I am thrilled at the opportunity to contribute to the club’s long-established reputation and am confident we have the right plan in place to bring the member experience to new levels.”

Further improvements include a 24-bay Turf Hound hitting mat area on the top tier of the driving range. General course aesthetics will also be improved as 40 acres of relatively out-of-play, yet still maintained turf, will transition to fescue grass areas. The fescue is a native turf blend that grows well with less water.

“When our course was redesigned in 2002 by architect Mike Strantz, his vision was more native turf and less mowed surface,” says Nick Checklenis, superintendent. “Mike passed away before his time, but we know he would have been pleased that we’re completing his work with this project.”

Other improvements include a new swimming deck surface and pool interior plaster, new high-efficiency pool heater, new HVAC system throughout the main clubhouse, sports-area locker room facelifts and new paint throughout all club areas.

“This Plan is a culmination of more than three years of work,” says Mike LaBarber, club president. “Surveys, focus groups, committees and board work have all gone into multiple versions of the plan, and we feel that we’ve balanced the right mix of improvements and refurbishments to our golf, sports and dining facilities.”