The community already knows Chapin native Benjamin Hooker through his Lexington restaurant, BoHo Pizza. Now, community members are additionally embracing his newest venture: BoHo Links.

Formerly known as Lake Murray Golf Center, the 33-acre property was purchased by Hooker and his partners at CB Bros Holdings LLC earlier this year. Located at 2032 Old Hilton Rd., roughly 15 minutes from downtown Chapin, the Lake Murray Golf Center originally opened in 1992 and was an influential part of the Chapin community for nearly 30 years. The business closed in 2021, and the property became abandoned. After sitting vacant for nearly four years, Hooker and his team started working to renovate the site and bring new life to the former golf center.

BoHo Links celebrated the opening of its driving range on Dec. 4, but the team is just getting started with what they envision for the property.

“We are trying to piece together this place. This is a massive project,” Hooker said. “This has multiple phases to it.”

Although they are currently waiting to receive their food and alcohol licenses from the state Department of Health and Environmental Control, as well as finish renovations, the driving range is open for the public to enjoy.

Hooker excitedly shared with the Chronicle his vision for what’s to come: the 33-acre lot is set to feature a driving range with Toptracer technology, a nine-hole putting green, an 18-hole miniature golf course and a space for live music. Hooker is also creating a “hole-in-one challenge” on the property’s pond, where the winner will take home a $10,000 prize.

“I want this to be a place where there is something for everyone,” Hooker said. “Where a group of friends can enjoy the driving range, a family can play putt-putt or you can enjoy a bonfire while listening to live music. We want this to be the place everyone wants to hang out and where everyone is welcome.”

In addition to the golf amenities, Hooker plans to include three restaurants at the location: a spinoff of Lexington’s BoHo Pizza, a bar-style restaurant and a 10,000-square-foot restaurant styled after The Masters Tournament.

Hooker estimates it will be about two years before all projects are complete, but he looks forward to opening each section as it becomes ready. “Once we get our licenses for food and drinks, we will have an official grand opening, hopefully within the next month,” he said.

Although renovations are ongoing, Hooker is not shy about welcoming large crowds to BoHo Links in its current state. This past November, BoHo Links hosted a Cody Webb concert and drew a crowd of nearly 1,200 people. After seeing the community’s response, Hooker called the concert a “huge success.”

“The community response has been unreal,” he said. “They see me out here heavily involved in this process. This isn’t something I have assigned to other people to do the hard work.”

Hooker said many community members have believed in his vision for BoHo Links so strongly that they have volunteered their time to help renovate and clean the property.

“I take a lot of pride in what I do, and this is close to my heart. This golf course has been around for a long time and has been a big part of the Chapin community,” he said. “The people of Chapin who have come up to me to shake my hand and are excited about what we are doing ... it just makes it all worth it for me.”

BoHo Links will also offer memberships with exclusive perks.

“I really want to thank the community for being excited and patient as we work toward this community-centered destination,” Hooker said. “This is a big project that takes time, and we are so grateful for your support.”