Dormie Club’s Renovated Wine Room Comes Full Circle

Helping to frame the main entry of the West End, N.C. club’s renovated 16,600-sq. ft. clubhouse, the 370-sq. ft. space, despite its small footprint, makes a bold statement and affords ample storage in an intimate, sophisticated setting. “This [room] was put in place to maximize the space and is essentially the centerpiece of the clubhouse,” says Chris Graham, the Dormie Network’s Chief Hospitality Officer.

Members of the Dormie Club in West End, N.C. (part of the Pinehurst/Southern Pines region) are toasting a bevy of recent updates, including the perfect spot to raise their glasses. Following a property-wide overhaul that spanned nearly 18 months of construction, the club reopened in September 2021 to a rejuvenated fine-dining scene, complete with an intimate wine room that affords ample storage in a sophisticated setting.

Namesake Recognition

Reimagining Dormie Club’s private dining facilities helps bring greater emphasis to the private club’s brand. One of six private-destination golf facilities under the Dormie Network umbrella, this location was primed for a top-down renovation courtesy of a major capital-improvement plan. 

The key updates included a 16,600-sq. ft. clubhouse, stand-alone golf shop, cottage residences and private outdoor patios. Within the clubhouse resides a dining room that seats 32, a private dining space with a 24-seat capacity, and a lounge that holds 42 guests. 

And in a cloistered spot just off the main lobby is the Wine Room at Dormie Club. “This [room] was put in place to maximize the space and is essentially the centerpiece of the clubhouse,” says Chris Graham, Chief Hospitality Officer, Dormie Network. Helping to frame the clubhouse’s main entry on the south elevation, the 370-sq. ft. space, despite its small footprint, makes a bold statement.  

Designed by architect Liz Bavitz of Sinclair Hille, which handled the renovation, a mix of warm browns and grays, along with natural materials like wood and brick, are carefully balanced to create a welcoming vibe. Upon entering the room, a custom-made piece suspended overhead attracts immediate attention. 

“The sculpture took its inspiration from the old tobacco baskets used in the drying process on tobacco farms in Kentucky and North Carolina,” explains Bavitz. Fashioned with steel strips welded together and finished with an acid wash to create a weathered look, this decorative element is displayed via four cables (see photo at left).  

The room’s circular design is accented by a round table that comfortably sits eight, with extra seating for four that can be added as needed. A round, cove-style ceiling plays up the room’s circular design, while the illusion of height is accentuated by floor-to-ceiling, aluminum-clad wood windows that look out on the golf course. 

Taking the room’s full-circle design approach one step further, Bavitz points out “brick flooring [that] surrounds a circular carpet ‘rug’ with patterns that emulate Shou Sugi Ban, a traditional Japanese method of preserving wood with fire.” This look helps to anchor the seating area, which is flanked by custom wood cabinetry that serves as a repository for the club’s burgeoning wine collection. (Member wine storage is not available on site.)

Each of the four displays includes nooks for stacked bottles, individual countertops for convenient opening and pouring, and temperature-controlled wine refrigerators. Dimmable lighting spotlights each vignette, helping to set the mood for evening tastings and dinners. Consistent styling helps to showcase the club’s wine collection while housing up to 420 bottles. 

Making a Statement

Since the reopening, the Wine Room at Dormie Club has seen a steady stream of visitors, with nightly events ranging from 6 to 12 guests at a time. “This is very much a staple of our private dining and corporate entertainment space,” notes Graham. 

Tasting events can also be added to the calendar at members’ requests and are expected to be another way to make good and full use of this inviting space.

Design Snapshot

DORMIE CLUB
West End, N.C.
Architect: Sinclair Hille, Lincoln, Neb.
Dining table: Lorts
Chairs: Wesley Hall
Lighting: Lumenpulse
Sculpture: Sinclair Hille (design); Creative Sparks, Carthage, N.C. (fabrication)
Carpeting: J+J Flooring Group

C+RB