As the club at Forest Ridge in Broken Arrow, Okla., prepares to transition to fully private, the historically golf-focused club is investing in more ways for members to engage.
Racquets has become a significant part of that effort.
“Going fully private, it’s necessary to have a strong racquet program,” says JJ Belcoff, Assistant General Manager. “You have to touch all aspects of country club sports. Not all [members] play golf. Offering racquet sports allows them to be active and enjoy the club [in another way].”
Forest Ridge has backed that effort with new facilities, expanded programming and additional staff. It has also found ways to introduce its golf membership to a part of the club they may not already be using.
Building for more play
The racquets operation is based at The Ridge Club, a separate clubhouse within the Forest Ridge community about a quarter mile from the club’s main clubhouse. The Ridge Club is home to the club’s racquets, acquatics, fitness and social offerings.
When The Ridge Club opened in 2018, its amenities included six lighted tennis courts, along with a fitness facility and resort-style pool. The outdoor courts gave Forrest Ridge an established home for racquets, but weather limited how consistently members could play. The program essentially shut down from December through February, while Oklahoma’s summer heat could also make outdoor playing difficult.
In September 2025, the club opened a climate-controlled dome with two full-sized tennis courts and four indoor pickleball courts. The addition lessons and organized play to continue throughout the year.
The club is already considering what could come next. Another four to six outdoor courts are under consideration, and Belcoff says padel could eventually become part of the mix.
“We are event looking at putting in a couple of padel courts next year or the year after, so we will be one of the few that offer padel in Oklahoma,” he says.
Getting members onto the courts
Golf members automatically receive access to The Ridge Club, giving Forest Ridge an established audience for its racquets program. The club has found ways to bring those members into the facility through activities they already participate in.
During Men’s Golf Association events, for example Forest Ridge hosts scoring at The Ridge Club. Golfers who might not otherwise visit the facility have a reason to come inside and see what is available.
The racquets calendar includes less-formal ways to get involved, too.
“We do fun events like Thirsty Thursdays or host a lot of open play, so there is a no-pressure kind of atmosphere,” says Belcoff.
Forest Ridge is adding staff to support the program. Director of Racquet Sports Ben Lott recently hired Seth Goodman as Head Pickleball Professional to help expand the programming.
Belcoff says having the right people leading the program is especially important for golf-focused clubs trying to build participation in racquets.
“You have to have the right person to drive,” he says. “That will get these classes on the schedule, get people out on the courts and make it something out of the ordinary for members.”
Forest Ridge’s approach to growing racquets extends beyond adding courts. Golf events introduce members to the facility, social programming gives them an easy way to try it, and dedicated staff keeps opportunities to play on the calendar.
