Southbury, Connecticut (May 16, 2021) – The course is the same but there is a fresh vibe at Silo Point Country Club. Formally known as Heritage Village Country Club, Silo Point is nestled along the Pomperaug River offering an inviting parkland layout that welcomes golfers of all levels.
Last May Silo Point was acquired by Alliance Management becoming the third course to join the company which includes the Alliance Club Oxford Greens, Tunxis Country Club, Drive 45 at Tunxis Country Club, and the recently acquired Red Tail Golf Club in Devens, Massachusetts. What makes the 6,241 yard par-71 layout different from the rest of the courses in the Alliance Management portfolio is that it is the lone private club of the group.
“We have a very dedicated membership that has been here a long time but we needed some things to change,” said Alliance Management VP of Sales & Marketing Tori Pisco. “It was important to not overwhelm the club with changes. We didn’t officially begin rebranding the club until 2021. We didn’t want the members who have been here a long time to feel like we were changing things too fast.”
Last year on course renovations commenced with the updating of the bunkers, cart paths, railings, and tree work. “The changes have been really good,” said longtime Superintendent Brett Richards. “It has been a welcome sight to see the bunkers get done. We have done a lot of things that have been long-awaited from the members.”
Off the course, the changes started more slowly. First, the locker rooms were updated at the end of 2020, and then before the 2021 season began the course was rebranded in hopes of refreshing the club's image. Because the course is located next to the 55 years-old and over Heritage Village condos there has long been an assumption that the course was also 55+ to those who lived outside of the immediate area. With that idea in mind the Alliance Management team went to work brainstorming new course names. That brainstorm didn’t take very long.
As you approach the course a distinguishing structure stands out. First, you drive past the opening hole on your left, then the 10th hole on your right and eventually the onsite restaurant, the 1850 House before you find yourself staring at a massive white silo. For a moment you might not realize what a giant silo is doing on a golf course but after a moment you quickly realize it is the clubhouse and it is idyllically perched above the 18th green. “We wanted to feel more modern and fresh and we thought the silo was perfect and it became the landmark for our new logo,” said Pisco.
The modern fresh vibe has already paid dividends. This year the course has welcomed 120 new members and they are meshing seamlessly with the longtime members of the club.
“My goal for this place is to change the mindset of what a private club is supposed to be,” General Manager Jared Slingerland said. “By changing the atmosphere we are opening the door to a lot more people. We are trying to bring in people that maybe were pushed away before. We are pushing fun and relaxation. People work and grind all day. We want them to just come to the course and play some golf, have a beer, play some music and be able to relax.”
Silo Point has been able to think outside the box when it comes to attracting members by offering varying levels of membership including Twilight, Student, Weekday Family, and Junior Executive. The Alliance Management team considers the Junior Executive group their key demographic because “it is a question of do they have the time and can they afford it,” said Slingerland.
Membership also includes reciprocal play at other Alliance Management courses in Connecticut – two of which will host CSGA events this season. Silo Point hosted last week's 119th Connecticut Amateur qualifier and will host a Senior Amateur qualifier on August 30th while the Alliance Club at Oxford Greens will welcome the 85th Father & Son Championship on August 12. “We are very excited to work with the CSGA and to make our entire portfolio available to support amateur golf in the state of Connecticut,” said Alliance Management Co-Founder Josh McKim. Alliance's third local course, Tunxis Country Club will host Connecticut qualifying for the New England Amateur on June 21.
The finishing touches are still a work in progress at Silo Point CC. Hole placards need to be updated along with the logo golf balls in the pro shop but as we left on a Monday the excitement surrounding the club could be felt. Despite the clouds and a light drizzle falling there was a fleet of carts set up ready for a large group of members ready to take to the course when it opened at noon.
“Like I said before we are pushing fun and relaxation,” said Slingerland. “When people come to the golf course we want them just to be able to come and play some golf.”
