Media and the public are invited to celebrate the grand opening of the new clubhouse and First Tee classroom at Highland Springs Golf Course, 9500 35th Street West, Rock Island.

On Thursday, April 20 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., Mayor Mike Thoms, along with City Council and members of the parks and recreation board and First Tee Quad Cities board will celebrate with a ribbon cutting, speeches, refreshments and a cash bar.  

In partnership with First Tee Quad Cities, the Rock Island Parks and Recreation Department’s new clubhouse at Highland Springs Golf Course will accommodate larger fundraising outings, provide a more accessible facility for all patrons and a classroom for First Tee students. The new clubhouse features a nice welcoming point to the golf course with areas to relax before and after rounds of golf. Golfers can enjoy the outdoor patio area with enhanced views of several holes on the course. The new clubhouse reflects Highland’s history while providing a gateway to the course’s future. The project is funded through a variety of sources including First Tee Quad Cities, grants and private donations. 

Since 2014 Highland Springs has partnered with First Tee Quad Cities to provide golf and life skills programming to youth from all backgrounds. First Tee is a youth development organization that introduces the game of golf and its inherent values to kids and teens. Over the past several years, Highland Springs has provided the First Tee program to hundreds of children by partnering with local organizations such as Spring Forward, Martin Luther King Jr. Center, Boys & Girls Club, Rock Island Parks and Recreation, RISE UP and Big Brothers Big Sisters. Approximately 40% of participants are underrepresented and more than 50% are girls. Through after-school and day camp programs, First Tee helps shape the lives of young people from all walks of life by reinforcing values like integrity, respect and perseverance through the game of golf.

First Tee Quad Cities will now permanently locate their programming at Highland Springs. This commitment will enable First Tee to grow and expand its programming reach in the Rock Island community. 

The clubhouse was designed by Legat Architects and built by Estes Construction.