Hillcrest Country Club in Lincoln, Nebraska, worked with us to redesign and unify the audio experience across their clubhouse, ballroom, pro shop, and pool environments. The existing system relied on a single Sonos ZonePlayer feeding amplifiers with largely fixed output levels. While functional, it lacked flexibility, zone independence, and the ability to adapt to the club’s evolving programming needs.
Our goal was to create a centralized, software-defined audio platform that would provide granular control, intuitive operation, and long-term scalability—without overcomplicating day-to-day use for staff.
A Unified Audio Backbone
The system is built around a Q-SYS Core 110f-v2, serving as the central DSP and routing engine for the campus. A shared Q-SYS CXQ amplifier powers the Ballroom, Lobby, Restroom, Lounge, Borner Room, and Pro Shop, while a remote CX-Q amplifier in the Pool House connects via fiber through Q-SYS–configured network switches.
This architecture allows the clubhouse and exterior areas to function as one cohesive system—or as independent environments—depending on the operational need.
Bluesound Professional multi-zone media players provide distributed content throughout the facility, replacing the previous single-source model with flexible, zone-specific programming.
Ballroom Flexibility
The divisible ballroom required particular attention. With a manual air wall separating the north and south halves, the space needed to operate as either two independent rooms or one large venue.
We designed a touchscreen interface that allows staff to manually divide or combine the room in software. The ballroom includes a dedicated media player with transport control and eight microphone inputs—supporting wireless lapel microphones, wall plate inputs, and additional distributed mic connections.
The ballroom can also share media with the lounge when desired, and its mix can feed the lobby for pre-function continuity. The result is an event-ready infrastructure that supports banquets, presentations, and private functions without requiring technical staff intervention.
The Lounge as Command Center
The Lounge serves as the primary social hub of the clubhouse—and the main control point for the system.
From a programmed touchscreen in the Lounge, staff can independently control audio in the Lounge, Atrium, Restroom, and Borner Room. Local Axon C1 wall controllers provide additional volume adjustment in spaces separated by distance, maintaining usability without cluttering the interface.
This approach centralizes authority while preserving simplicity for staff.
Exterior & Pool Operations
The bar, pool deck, and pool house make up the exterior audio environment. While these zones typically share a common source, each maintains independent volume control.
Operational flexibility was critical for swim competitions and special events. During competition mode, the system can reconfigure routing so that one microphone feeds the pool speakers exclusively, while a second announcer microphone is routed across all exterior zones using priority ducking. The pool house can also operate independently when required.
Additional routing allows the Pro Shop and Tee Box zones to receive tournament announcements, while maintaining separate control of background media. A weather microphone feed from the pool can also be routed back to the Pro Shop when needed.
Designed for Growth
The system anticipates future expansion, including a golf simulator, gentleman’s lounge, and additional distributed zones. Because the infrastructure is network-based and DSP-driven, these additions can be integrated without major architectural changes.
Hillcrest country club
Client:
DFI Innovations