IMPACT
Project: Golf Course Clubhouse
Highland Springs Golf Course
Highland Springs Golf Course has been among the Quad Cities’ most popular public courses since its 1968 debut. The challenging 18-hole course welcomes golfers from across the community to a fun parkland layout on the bluffs above southwest Rock Island.
In 2013, Highland Springs became an Illinois host site for the First Tee of the Quad Cities chapter, increasing its local impact on the game by introducing golf to a new and younger demographic.
The partnership also accelerated the need for a new and more modern clubhouse.
A Place to Play — and Stay
The original Highland Springs clubhouse was a 3000-square-foot block structure with a check-in counter, a small grill for concessions, space for retail inventory, and rustic restrooms with outside-only access.
Golfers came, enjoyed their round, and then went home.
The emerging partnership with the First Tee of the Quad Cities presented a valuable opportunity to grow food, beverage, and event revenues while providing a place where new generations of First Tee participants could learn more about the game than simply how to hit a golf ball.
In 2018, the Highland Springs practice range was upgraded to include a First Tee short course and practice area. Yet, a critical component of First Tee programming is teaching lessons for a lifetime about etiquette, self-confidence, and resilience. To best impart those lessons, an indoor classroom was needed.
The new Highland Springs Golf Course clubhouse was built under the management of union contractor Estes Construction using talented union tradesmen through an IMPACT Construction Agreement. Since the 3200-square-foot facility opened in April of 2023 with 400 square feet of fully dedicated First Tee classroom space, program participation has grown by 15 percent and First Tee participants feel a sense of pride and ownership they hadn’t before.
The City of Rock Island funded the project with private donor assistance from the First Tee of the Quad Cities, and the return on investment was immediate.
In 2023, the Parks and Recreation Department saw a significant increase in food and beverage sales and a 15 percent year-over-year increase in rounds played. Highland Springs hosted more than 25 local fundraising outings in its initial season, and the facility also was booked for several winter events, an opportunity it hadn’t previously enlisted. In 2024, the Parks and Recreation Department began the construction of a new clubhouse at Saukie Golf Course as an IMPACT Construction Agreement project.
our local partners
Todd Winter
Assistant Director, Rock Island Department of Parks and Recreation Director of Golf, Highland Springs and Saukie Municipal Golf Courses
“As a Parks and Recreation Department, we’re committed to providing high-quality facilities for our residents and the community. Our local union contractors and union tradespeople are committed to the same thing. Through those shared values, the IMPACT Construction Agreement helped ensure the best quality facility to our residents.”
our local partners
Sara McLaughlin-Cross
Executive Director, First Tee of the Quad Cities
“Our kids have the feeling this is their space. They are surrounded by encouraging words like ‘Honesty,’ ‘Integrity’ and ‘Sportsmanship,’ and they see that every day they come to class. We talk about applying those lessons on the golf course and when they’re out in the community. We have exploded here at Highland Springs.”
BUILDING FEATURES:
- 3000 square foot stamped patio with golf course view
- South wall of windows offering views of No. 1 tee, No. 9 green, and No. 10 tee
- Indoor lounge with couch, chairs, high tables
- Indoor/outdoor kitchens and grills
- Year-round access to First Tee Classroom
City of Rock Island IMPACT Construction Agreement projects:
- 2024 - Saukie Golf Course, Estes Construction
- 2024 - Downtown Revitalization, Valley Construction
- 2024 - City Hall Renovation, Valley Construction
- 2023 - Fitness and Activities Center Steam & Sauna Room Renovation, The Henley Group
- 2023 - Fitness and Activities Center Locker Replacement, The Henley Group
- 2023 - Fitness and Activities Center Windows and Doors Replacement, Valley Construction
- 2023 - Fitness and Activities Center Flooring Replacement, Valley Construction
- 2023 - 11th Street Water Main Replacement, Langman Construction
- 2022 - Parking Ramp Demolition, Langman Construction
- 2022 - Highland Springs Clubhouse, Estes Construction
- 2017 - Water Filtration Facility, Civil Constructors
- 2015 - Rock Island Police Station, Gilbane Builders/Valley Construction
- 2010 - Public Works Garage, General Constructors Inc.
- 2010 - Wet Weather Treatment Plant, Civil Constructors
- 2009 - Fitness & Activity Center Expansion, Estes Construction
- 2008 - Schwiebert Riverfront Park, Williams Valley Joint Venture Inc.
the impact agreement
impact projects
The IMPACT Agreement is a partnership between the building trades and contractors to provide a high quality product to owners and users. The relationship between labor, management, and owners helps ensure the primary goal of completion of a quality project in the most cost-efficient and timely basis.
our valued partners
our local impact
You won’t need to look far to see our local IMPACT. An IMPACT Construction Agreement means skilled and well-trained union tradesmen working in collaboration with local union contractors to ensure quality projects built free of disruption and avoidable delays.
