Wing king 'breaks' ground on new club house Published May 20, 2008 By Staff Sgt. Jacob R. McCarthy Nellis AFB Public Affairs NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- The 99th Air Base Wing commander "broke ground" on a new club house for the Sunrise Vista Golf Course during a ceremony here May 16. Col. Michael Bartley, 99th ABW commander, Lt. Col. Elizabeth Demmons, 99th Services commander and Mr. Mike Glenn, Sunrise Vista Golf Course manager, all shoveled soil as part of a ceremonial groundbreaking for the estimated $6 million project. More than 90 golfers from around Nellis were on hand to witness the ceremony as part of a kickoff event for the "Flash" Bartley Invitational Farewell Golf Tournament. The new club house is planned to cover more than 11,000 square feet and will replace the circa 1960's facility with improvements such as a larger food court, bigger locker rooms and a state-of-the-art pro shop for all Nellis golfers. "The goal is to modernize ourselves," said Mr. Glenn. "With the increase in size and services, we're hoping [the club house] helps Nellis to have one of the premier golf facilities in the Air Force." What's more, the new club house stands to help improve Nellis' status as a showplace throughout the Air Force, said Mr. Bob Jones, 99th ABW director of plans and programs. Always the avid advocate of the links, Colonel Bartley has supported the club house project since day one. "This is a momentous occasion to celebrate what he's done for this installation," Colonel Demmons said about Colonel Bartley's commitment to the project. "It was his vision that kept us on track to secure our funding." "It means a lot to me to have a groundbreaking for this project before I leave," Colonel Bartley said to fellow golfers at the ceremony. "Mr. Glenn and the services squadron worked really hard to make this happen. I appreciate their efforts." Financial backing for the club house and other similar projects aimed to increase welfare and morale on base come directly from non-appropriated funds; money that's generated through on-base services. With the contract to build the new club house expected to be awarded within the next month, golfers here can expect to start enjoying the new 19th hole sometime next summer.
