Revival of the Capstone Club as Coal Club
After more than a decade of ownership changes and financial instability, the Capstone Club in Brookwood, Alabama, which was one of Gil Hanse’s initial designs, ceased operations in 2014. It is now being revitalized and rebranded as Coal Club, adopting a new business model. Unlike its predecessor, which functioned as a private facility linked to the University of Alabama, the Coal Club will focus on being a destination golf club with 295 members and 48 lodging rooms.
New Ownership Perspective
New owners Corey Byron and Keith Giffin noted in a membership packet, “Initially, Alabama wasn’t on our radar as a prime location for an exclusive private club, but discovering its proximity to the University of Alabama and Birmingham’s international airport shifted our perspective. The southern charm of Birmingham and Tuscaloosa makes this area ideal for a high-quality club.”
Renovation Plans
Byron and Giffin, who run Hole Out Golf Shop, a well-established online golf retailer, along with four public golf courses in Michigan, have acquired additional land around the main property and begun plans for an irrigation system renovation and clubhouse upgrades.
Design and Nostalgia
Gil Hanse and his design partner Jim Wagner explored the remnants of the golf course earlier this year and intend to revisit to finalize their plans. Built on a former coal mine, Coal Club features a layout that navigates hilly, sandy, forested terrain. Although overgrown, the original hole corridors remain recognizable. Much of Hanse and Wagner’s efforts will involve revealing the work they completed 25 years ago, evoking nostalgia among them.
Design Modifications
Hanse and Wagner are considering changes, particularly for the final three holes, possibly swapping the par-3 16th for a long par-5, creating a new Redan-style par-3 17th, and inventing a new concept for the par-4 18th. Their other adjustments are likely to be more subtle.
Historical Context
The Capstone Club, which launched in 2001 through a partnership between Arnold Palmer Golf Management and University Clubs of America, was one of Hanse and Wagner’s earlier golf course projects in the U.S. While it was intended for the University of Alabama community, it struggled financially, leading to multiple ownership changes before closing 11 years ago.
Future Goals
Byron and Giffin’s approach aims to differentiate Coal Club in a competitive market, with initiation fees set at $60,000 and annual dues varying by proximity and age. Byron emphasized that the goal isn’t to profit excessively but to create a friendly environment. An aspiration for the future includes establishing an Evans Scholars caddie program, offering full tuition and housing for deserving caddies, with plans to potentially set up Evans houses at local universities. They aim to begin construction next year and hope to open for preview play in 2027, targeting an official launch in late 2027 or spring 2028.
