New Public Course in Bloomfield Nearly Complete

Grow-in is nearly complete at Gillette Ridge Golf Club, a new daily-fee course located just outside of Hartford in Bloomfield, Conn. In conjunction with the unveiling, in late May KemperSports Management announced the hiring of Chuck Grodovich as the new general manager. KemperSports has served as the project’s development manager and will operate the 18-hole facility upon itsopening.

Gillette Ridge is the only Arnold Palmer-designed golf course in the Hartford area. The layout winds through dense forest and across open parkland, bypassing natural wetlands and streams along the way. Multiple tees and generally wide fairways will challenge players. The course is augmented by a practice facility with a full-size driving range, practice bunkers and greens. A 5,500-square-foot clubhouse will contain pro shop, bar and casual dining facilities.

The course is being developed by CIGNA Corporation, one of the largest public-owned employee benefits organizations in the U.S. The golf course is part of CIGNA's 600-acre Bloomfield Campus redevelopment project. Gillette Ridge will eventually contain over 400 single- and multi-family residences, a 275-room hotel-conference-office center slated for completion in 2006, four restaurants, retail shops and nearly 2 million square feet of office space.

Grodovich, a Central Connecticut State University graduate, formerly served as general manager at Keney Golf Course in Hartford, where he oversaw daily operations of the clubhouse, pro shop and restaurant. "Chuck is bright, talented and knows the Hartford market," said KemperGolf president Steve Skinner. "We'll utilize his insight as we prepare to unveil Gillette Ridge as the premier daily-fee golf experience to the Bloomfield community and to golfers from across the nation."

For more information about Gillette Ridge Golf Club, visit www.kempersports.com.