Demolition Work Starts At Golf Land Site In Vernon

VERNON, CT — The Old Connecticut Golf Land clubhouse was razed Monday as construction began on a new version of the former popular family entertainment complex.

The demolition work began roughly two months after applications were submitted to Vernon regulatory authorities by Steve LaMesa and Jerry Fornarelli, the principals of CT Golf Land LLC.

CT Golf Land LLC is leasing the old complex from longtime owner Peter Krause. Golf Land Closed in 2014 after 50 years in business. Its sits on Route 83 in Vernon near the Manchester line.

The initial application hinted that some of the old complex could be salvaged, but from the looks of the property Monday, that's not happening. Vernon Economic Development coordinator Shaun Gately said most of the structures were "in rough shape," save for some of the footings.

Golf Land was actually named for its popular pitch-and-put course, which included one frightening hole that bordered the eastbound lanes of Interstate-84 and another requiring shots underneath live power lines. Gately was unsure about the new center including any of the old course, part of which is now a car dealership.

Gately this week still unsure about the use of any of the old golf holes and what the lease means to the annual Summer Days Carnival, which has taken place on part of the Golf Land property for years.

The complex is expected to have a wide array of family entertainment options, both outdoors and in a revamped and larger clubhouse.

Here's a rendering of the clubhouse: