The Michigan chapter of the Professional Golfers' Association of America is moving to the East Lansing area, which could help raise the prestige of local courses.
Builders broke ground last month on the 8,000-square-foot facility after the East Lansing City Council approved the developer's application to construct the building. The building will overlook the 9th hole at Eagle Eye Golf Club at Hawk Hollow, 15101 Chandler Road.
East Lansing Mayor Pro Tem Sam Singh said the Michigan PGA's move to the area will help boost local business.
"We were definitely excited to hear that," Singh said about the Michigan PGA's move. "The facility that is out north is a beautiful facility."
As more people come to Eagle Eye to play golf, area gas stations, restaurants and hotels will benefit from more commerce, Singh said.
The new location is especially good for current PGA members because the new location will be more accessible, said Kevin Helm, executive director of the Michigan PGA.
The Michigan PGA has about 9,000 members and apprentices throughout the state. Since 1992, Michigan PGA meetings have been held in Livonia and the surrounding Metro-Detroit area. Helm said most conference and meeting attendees were from the Detroit area, with few coming from western and northern Michigan.
"We have pretty even representation from all over the state," Helm said. "It's a lot more convenient to be in a location that has easy access."
The Michigan PGA represents members from the state's lower peninsula and most of the eastern half of the upper peninsula.
"We were based here in Detroit because, way back when, most of the golf was around here," Helm said. He added that a more centralized location is needed because Michigan's golfing community has expanded into other regions.
"The benefits for the PGA and its members is it's centrally located and easy to get to," said Kirk Sherman, head golf professional at Eagle Eye. "We can have our meetings right at Eagle Eye."
Sherman, who oversees 80-100 employees at Hawk Hollow and Eagle Eye, said the Michigan PGA's presence is expected to add several thousand rounds of golf played at Eagle Eye.
The PGA already rated Eagle Eye highly before the Michigan chapter announced plans to move to the course, Sherman said.
Eagle Eye is open to the public, but the new facility will likely have little impact on the amateur East Lansing golfer, Sherman said.
"I don't know if it means much to the average golfer because they aren't a PGA member," Sherman said. "It's kind of a prestigious thing - 'Hey, I played Eagle Eye. That's where the Michigan PGA offices are.'"
