Recovery efforts are still underway after an Aug. 27 fire destroyed the Tanasi Golf Course Clubhouse.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation, according to an update from the Tellico Village Property Owners Association.
A Tanasi Project Implementation Team consisting of POA staff and board members has been put together, and the team will be working with the community’s Long-Range Planning Committee on a rebuilding plan.
Crews have added safety fencing around the entire clubhouse site. Fencing has also been added along the lake to keep soot and debris from getting into the water.
All Tanasi food service staff, including kitchen and waitstaff, are now working out of the Yacht Club. The club is open to the public 11 a.m.-4 p.m. daily for lunch and 5-9 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday for dinner.
The team created a Tanasi favorites menu for lunch and will also serve Sunday brunch. Courtesy docks are available so people can arrive by boat for lunch or dinner. Menus are available online.
The golf shop operations and snack bar are set up and operating out of the Tanasi Turn Shack. Ashley Earle, who works at the snack bar, said the Tanasi chef is working out of the Yacht Club and making sandwiches that can be purchased at the shack.
Mark Empie was practicing his putting Thursday on the green in front of the Turn Shack. He said he has been able to keep up his regular golfing routine with practically no disruption.
“It’s working very well,” he said. “They’ve done a wonderful job.”
Empie said he wouldn’t be surprised if sorting out insurance issues and building a new clubhouse will take a couple of years.
While new Tanasi golf carts were spared, the bulk of the fleet is stored at Public Works for charging, which presents a challenge. Public Works is about a half-mile from the starting area, making shuttling carts a logistical hurdle. The fleet is currently being shuttled by Village volunteers.
Michael Ledbetter, Tanasi assistant golf pro, was getting ready for a New Villagers tournament Thursday that was expected to attract about 100 golfers. He said activity hasn’t dropped at all since the fire.
“It’s about the same,” Ledbetter said. “We’re still seeing 220 a day or more.”
Bob Peterson and Fred Newman were getting ready to head onto the course. Newman said he is amazed the fire hasn’t impacted his golf schedule.
“The organization has been very accommodating,” Newman said.
Peterson said the fire, while unfortunate, could turn out to be good in the long run.
“They have the opportunity to update the restaurant and increase the parking,” he said.
