After undergoing around $1 million in renovations under new ownership, The Bridges Golf & Country Club officially reopened to the public Wednesday, April 30. The changes mark a new chapter for the long-standing golf course and clubhouse—and a major investment in Montrose’s hospitality, dining, and recreation landscape.

New owner Ty Jennings, a longtime Montrose resident and one of the original project managers of The Bridges when it was first developed, finalized the $5 million purchase of the club in late 2024. In the months since, Jennings has changed a lot in the facility, adding new amenities for both members and the general public and launching a broad new membership initiative.

“I just felt like the timing was right to take the next step with this place,” Jennings said. “I’ve known this project forever, and I raised my kids in this town. It was the right time to make it new again.”

A new-look clubhouse and new dining experience

The most visible changes are inside the clubhouse, where Jennings and his team have created two distinct dining experiences. The main restaurant now features a steak-and-seafood concept open to the public, with a wine bar area for both casual diners and club members. On the other side, a members-only space known as the Founders Lounge offers a private sports bar-type experience, where the pro shop used to be located.

“I wanted to create a space where members really felt like they had something special,” Jennings said. “We literally touched everything—repainted the walls, changed all the artwork, added new furniture, created new spaces. Every inch of it.”

The old administrative offices were repurposed as a game room, offering another amenity exclusive to members. Locker rooms were also renovated. The entire clubhouse now features updated colors and a refreshed interior design meant to reflect a more modern, elevated aesthetic.

But Jennings says it’s not just about the members. While the west side of the building is reserved for members, the restaurant and wine bar on the east side are open to the public, and Jennings said the space is designed to be inviting for everyone in the community.

“We’re aiming for casual but upscale,” he said. “Montrose is a meat-and-potatoes town at its core, but we think the community is ready for something a little more refined, something with quality and atmosphere. We want people to feel comfortable, but also like they’re getting something special.”

New menu, new team

The restaurant is now fully open for lunch and dinner service, offering a full steak and seafood menu. The goal was  creating a standout dining experience without making it inaccessible to locals.

He’s also brought in a new leadership team. Greg Bray, the club’s new general manager, comes from Tulsa, Oklahoma. Chris Miller, the new head golf professional, comes from Brownsville, Texas. Jennings has also hired new local staff for the kitchen and restaurant as part of the reboot.

Membership expansion and incentives

With the reopening comes a restructured membership plan aimed at both retaining longtime members and attracting new golfers and community members. Jennings introduced new pricing tiers, including discounted rates for members 49 and under, and additional discounts for those 35 and under. He’s also launched a corporate membership option for groups of four or more from the same company.

Perhaps most notably, the club is waiving all initiation fees through June 30. After that, initiation fees will range from $2,500 to $5,000 depending on age and membership type.

“We wanted to create an opportunity for anyone who’s been thinking about joining to come out, see what’s new, and hopefully become a part of it,” Jennings said.

Membership is already growing. Since the start of the year, The Bridges has added 45 new members, Jennings said, bringing total membership to around 250—up from 200 in early January. That includes roughly 85 golfing members and 120 social members, with growth in both categories.

Jennings says he doesn’t have a hard cap in mind for membership numbers.

“My goal is whatever’s comfortable for the course and the facility,” he said. “If that’s 400 or 450, great. It’s about making sure the experience stays strong.”

Local rates, public access

To make the course more accessible, Jennings has introduced new daily fee rates for local residents. Local golfers will pay a reduced rate of $79, while visitors from outside the region will pay $99.

“My goal was to get the locals involved again,” Jennings said. “This is a community asset, and we want it to feel that way.”

Changes on the course—and in the neighborhood

Beyond the clubhouse, Jennings is already making changes on the golf course itself. Holes No. 1 and No. 10 have been rerouted, and additional improvements are planned throughout the year.

But that’s not all. Jennings is also relaunching residential development at The Bridges, starting with 26 new golf course-front lots slated for construction this fall. These will be the first newly developed lots at The Bridges since around 2005, Jennings said. Some will feature water frontage, while others will offer elevated views of the course and surrounding valley.

Jennings said the long-term plan includes a mix of single-family and multi-family development, using several lots and units acquired as part of the club’s purchase.

Looking ahead

Jennings brings deep experience to the role, having worked on real estate and golf management projects across the country. In the 2010s, he worked with professional golfer Hale Irwin’s management company overseeing courses nationwide.

Still, this project, he says, is personal.

“I’ve been in the golf business my whole life, but this one means something different,” Jennings said. “This is my hometown. I want this place to be something Montrose can be proud of.”

The Bridges Golf & Country Club is now open to members and the public, with dining service operating daily and golf available to both members and local day guests.

Justin Tubbs is the Montrose Business Times editor. He can be reached by email at justin@montrosebusinesstimes.com or by phone at 970-765-0915 or mobile at 254-246-2260.