The clubhouses at BallenIsles Country Club in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.; The Club at Mediterra in Naples, Fla.; and Newport Beach (Calif.) Country Club preserve elegance and offer a point in time where past and present coexist.

Our primary mission at Club + Resort Business is to provide a forum for club leaders to learn from one another and use that newfound knowledge to enhance their facility. With this month’s issue, we are officially launching the C+RB Model Club program, and shining a spotlight on some of the best programs and facilities in the industry. Our Model Club program will give club professionals a chance to celebrate their top-level programs and facilities, and by doing so, hopefully motivate their fellow industry members to make beneficial changes. Here are the 2024 C+RB Model Club honorees.

Past and Present Co-Exist

BallenIsles Country Club; Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.

“It’s a compliment to our members, board, professional planners and staff who work so well together in creating a classy, yet comfortable space to enjoy,” says Ryan Walls, the club’s General Manager/CEO. “A lot has gone into learning the wants and needs of our members, offering a little something for all across our diverse membership and making a 115,000 sq. ft.building feel comfortable and a total of 180,000 sq. ft. of leisure space the center point of our community.”

Both the past and the present exist inside BallenIsles’ clubhouse. The displays inside the building share the club’s connections to major championship golf, Chicago, the PGA and even Jack Nicklaus.

“Our club has a unique and rich history which is well-narrated throughout our building, while blending today’s modern demands of a high-end, high-volume private club, along with a touch on display from our members’ talents,” Walls says.

There are five dining venues and multiple meal options available in the clubhouse, as well as spaces where members can play cards or bocce, or spend time at a happy hour.

Valuing Members

The Club at Mediterra; Naples, Fla.

“For our team, this recognition is a testament to their thoughtful approach and hard work to consistently providing an elevated experience for our members,” says Carmen Mauceri, the club’s General Manager/COO. “It not only affirms our conviction in the importance of fostering an organizational culture centered on hospitality and advancement, but also underscores the shared dedication that has brought us this honor.”

For the clubhouse expansion project that was finished in 2019, investments were made “to enhance team connectivity and efficiency,” says Mauceri. This upgrade work included a Learning Library, Upgraded Team Suite, Medi-Room, Team Locker Rooms, and a Team Merchandise Shop.

“These thoughtfully crafted spaces not only elevate the Team’s experience but also reflect the collective dedication to fostering a thriving and interconnected community at Mediterra,” says Mauceri. “The membership’s investment in these areas serves as a pillar of their commitment to the Team, sending a clear message: ‘You are valued.’”

Top-Level View

Newport Beach Country Club; Newport Beach, Calif.

“Our clubhouse is so special – the physical structure, the attention to detail in design, the intangible culture, and the way our members use the club,” says Robin Shelton, General Manager. “It is a place our members and team members [staff] are so proud to call their second home.”

Shelton says the California Craftsman design clubhouse helps his club stand out from its peers.

“The detail in construction amazes me every time I walk through the clubhouse,” says Shelton. “The patios and outdoor space is as good as anywhere I’ve seen, the views of the Pacific Ocean and golf course amaze first-time visitors.”