Refreshed patios are popping up in clubs everywhere, adding a sense of permanence to outdoor setups.

Pull up a lounge chair and lend an ear: Clubs are dusting off their outdoor spaces with polished patios that are more than just a pretty place to relax with friends. Often part of larger clubhouse-wide renovations, updates to these areas serve as natural extensions to casual dining, where members can unwind after golf, enjoy a pre-dinner cocktail with friends or watch the sun set in the fresh air. 

Hot Spot

At The Cape Club of Palm City, just 30 miles north of Jupiter, Fla., the weather is pleasantly balmy year-round, making outside amenities a must for its burgeoning membership. So when the former Fox Club Florida was acquired by The Cape Club Collection last May and underwent a property-wide renovation, a refreshed patio was high on the list of priorities. Now with more seating and designated areas for after-hours dining, nabbing a spot outdoors is practically effortless.

Situated at the rear of the clubhouse and overlooking the ninth hole, the new patio replaces 12 feet of pavers with a whopping 3,200 sq. ft. that ties into its natural surroundings. 

“There is a large lake and vibrant wildflowers that you can see while sitting on the patio,” describe Kristi Tower, General Manager, and Christina Intoccia, Club Controller. “We added a fountain to the lake, which lights up at sundown each night.”

A 160-foot-long by 5-foot-tall stone wall encases the seating area, which includes numerous options. 

“We knew from the start that we wanted to have a variety of furniture and seating options that were equal parts elegant and comfortable,” say Tower and Intoccia. Realizing that the stunning view would serve as the focal point, they opted for sectionals and chairs surrounding eight fire pits on the patio’s perimeter, along with umbrella-covered glass tabletops nestled closer to the clubhouse.

Like the patio itself, accommodations for this popular destination have also grown, from 24 to 75 seats, enabling the club to maximize its usage. Stamped concrete flooring was installed with footers to allow for a future roof, at which time lighting will also be added. And while the patio is primarily for al fresco dining, the space is also available for private parties, such as wedding ceremonies, baby showers and birthday parties.

To maintain the patio landscaping year-round, an irrigation system installed along the edge allows for easy watering. And when southern Florida is hit with sudden downpours, the club makes good on its investment of assorted covers for fire pits and sectional cushions. 

Since the patio’s reopening late last year, members have flocked to the space and their enthusiasm has spawned a regular event—once a month, the Cape Club of Palm City hosts Fire Pit Friday, complete with specialty cocktails and live music. 

“Members are commenting on the beauty of the patio and how much they love bringing their extended families and guests for the relaxed atmosphere, comradery and breathtaking view,” say Tower and Intoccia.

Three-Season Friendly

Patio weather in western Michigan has a limited window, but thanks to a soon-to-be-opened structure at Kent Country Club in Grand Rapids, the season just got a bit longer. A major update to its dining and patio area, which has been under construction since last December, is set to open in mid-May and will help maintain the facility’s reputation as a pioneer in the Michigan private club community. 

“Historically, the patio is the most popular space to dine in the summer, and a major reason for the project is to extend member engagement to multiple seasons,” says General Manager Ward Sutton, CCM, CCE, PGA MP.

The covered patio, located near the 18th green, will accompany a casual dining area, bar and porch, amassing 5,586 sq. ft. The project reflects a more contemporary vibe for Kent Country Club. Sutton characterizes it as “an update on the existing traditional style of the clubhouse, to a more modern design.” The patio’s cement flooring will be stained and finished to distinguish itself from the parquet tile and carpeted area in the dining room. The addition of LED lighting, along with decorative sconces, pave the way for a clubhouse-wide conversion over the next two years. 

The outdoor space is outfitted with standard patio tables and chairs which, notes Sutton, “allow for flexibility in group size, member comfort and ease of movement for service staff.” While the patio can seat 62 members—the same capacity of the previous design—the bar and dining space will accommodate up to 108 patrons, a bump up from the previous layout. 

To create two distinct areas between the indoors and out, sliding glass windows and nana walls will be installed to create an open-air feel. Clear PVC, removable windows, which will be added in the fall, will outline the patio’s exterior and allow for three-season dining. Infrared heaters and fans will be integrated into the roof for seasonal usage, and the steel cover allows for a possible second story if the patio is well-received.

Speaking of membership approval, the project was initially met with some hesitancy, which prompted management to develop a detailed communication strategy. In addition to a Q&A session with the design committee, monthly club newsletter updates and weekly social media posts, Sutton has taken an active role in promoting the positivity of the new space. 

“I usually give three to four tours to various groups each night through the construction area during the dinner service,” he says. “I think the buy-in to the project, from vote to current, has grown; there is definitely a feeling of momentum and enthusiasm for the project and excitement for its completion.”

On the Horizon

Ever since the idea of creating a new outdoor patio was introduced to the membership at Brookfield Country Club last year, the level of enthusiasm for the project has been tremendous. Construction at the Clarence, N.Y., facility is part of an extensive clubhouse overhaul, which will provide a slew of new spaces, including a members’ grill, banquet/ballrooms, locker rooms, wellness space and, of course, outdoor patios. 

“We were prompted by a review of where to go forward,” explains General Manager/COO Mark A. Maier of the reason for the multiphase project. “The patios are being developed to make [this] more of a lifestyle area and accommodate a greater dining capacity.”

Taking advantage of the view that showcases a sprawling golf course, club dining facilities were relocated to the back side of the course, with patio space spanning the surrounding areas. The grill room, member grotto and halfway house each have their own respective patios, illuminated by sconces and individual ceiling fans with lights on each bay. Stamped concrete flooring was chosen for its ease of maintenance and durability. Overhead, fixed ceiling radiant heating units lock in the warmth during the colder seasons, helping to extend the outdoor dining season. Meanwhile, two fire pits positioned between the men’s and ladies’ locker/card rooms offer a cozy spot for socializing. Members can also grab a seat at one of the bar-height tables or gather around long, rectangular tables, outfitted in a sleek, slate gray metal. 

With the first leg of the patio project due to be completed in May and the additional spaces slated for Labor Day 2024, members are anxiously awaiting the unveiling of the outdoor oasis. 

“They are excited by the diversity of amenity platforms that will be available to them,” says Maier. A total of 25 presold sports social membership, along with a waitlist, are indicators of the strong buzz that the project has generated.

As Brookfield Country Club approaches the celebration of its 100th anniversary—just four years away—the new clubhouse and surrounding patio area will be ready to serve as party central. And not just for the existing membership, but for generations to come. C+RB