For this group on the Top 61 list, the clubhouses are profiled for Lakeside Country Club in Houston, Texas; Dove Canyon (Calif.) Golf Club; Tahoe Beach Club in Stateline, Nev.; Navesink Country Club in Red Bank, N.J.; and Canoe Brook Country Club in Summit, N.J.

Club + Resort Business has released its list of Top Ranked Clubhouses for 2021.

The rankings reflect the judges’ scoring of data provided on clubhouse square footage; locker room(s) data; event space and seating capacity; bar area(s) square footage; dining area(s) square footage; availability of outdoor dining; wine room/cellar; total dining and bar areas seating capacity; kitchen(s) square footage; pro shop square footage; fitness and wellness square footage; and whether a dedicated youth space is offered.

Entries also included descriptions submitted by the club and resort properties on why their clubhouses should be top ranked, and a full complement of supporting photos. The judges weighted the data and material provided to score all entries.

The entire list and details about all of the Top Ranked Clubhouses can be seen at https://clubandresortbusiness.com/club-resort-business-top-ranked-clubhouses/.

16. Lakeside Country Club, Houston, Texas

Two years after a $10 million renovation on the clubhouse at Lakeside Country Club, one of the most devastating natural disasters ever to hit Houston, Hurricane Harvey, left the facility and golf course underwater.

“While Lakeside lost its clubhouse in 2017, it gained motivation and perseverance to return as quickly as possible,” said Bryan Webb, Principal-Director of Design for Marsh and Associates Inc. (MAI). “We felt for this great community and were excited to be part of resurrecting this beautiful club for its membership, better than it was before.”

As maintenance crews set the tone and immediately started work to restore the golf course, the club brought in MAI to not only maintain the culture and tradition recognized since the clubs founding in 1951, but also to enhance the member experience and better protect the new club from future disasters.

Tradition and efficiency
Most of the amenities from the previous club were redesigned back into the new clubhouse, but with a more efficient layout that focuses on enhanced, aesthetically pleasing and comfortable spaces. A single kitchen was strategically positioned to serve both the banquet and dining spaces, improving staff and service operations. A series of pocket doors were placed throughout the dining areas to provide for a variety of dining and social events.

Resilience
In order to better protect the new club from future disasters, the site was built up 8 feet to allow the new structure to be above the 100-year floodplain.

Enhancing member experience
The higher site allowed the design of the new clubhouse to include main and lower-level walk-out terraces. MAI focused on creating a strong indoor/outdoor connection and presented the new facility with a vast amount of natural light and picturesque views of the golf course.

A variety of new spaces were designed to enhance the member experience and improve operational functionality, including:
•The Pro Shop provides for display fixtures that can easily accommodate seasonal changes and fluctuations in merchandise.
• New spacious golf locker rooms were sensibly designed to break up the vast number of lockers into several clusters of semi-secluded bays, providing a more private environment.
• Diversity of dining space options offer members and guests a variety of amenities, like a casual family bistro with an open pizza kitchen and an accompanying game/activity room, private dining with full-view glass wine display, a casual adult bar/grill complete with a large U-shape bar centered around taps featuring locally brewed beers, and elegant banquet rooms that accommodate 16 to 600 guests.

The new clubhouse fully reopened in 2020 and was immediately met with high approval. “We are seeing an excellent mix of member usage. We had hoped we interpreted the memberships needs accurately. It’s good to now know that we indeed did,” said General Manager Craig Schaner. “Our member dining is up 30%, club special events are selling out with waitlists, banquet business bookings have increased 30%, and waitlist for membership have increased.”

17. Dove Canyon Golf Club, Dove Canyon, Calif.

The Dove Canyon clubhouse is a magnificent 52,000 sq. ft. building, inspired by the architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright. The two-story building features two conference rooms, expansive banquet room, old world wine cellar, pro shop, locker rooms, fitness center, and two grill rooms. There is additionally seven distinct outside sitting areas, not including a wine country inspired courtyard.

The mood is set the moment you enter the porte-cochere as you gaze up at the beautiful African Mahogany beams and stonework. Two 12-foot grand doors open into a beautiful foyer featuring a double-sided fireplace and atrium, complete with a custom water feature and colorful foliage.

As you pass through the foyer, you notice the entrance to our wine room, which features a grand table for 16-person private dinner and 36 private wine lockers. Each week we host a complimentary wine tasting.

Moving forward, you enter a sunken sitting area featuring spectacular views of Dove Canyon. Our members and guests call the views “National Park” status.

Leaving the sunken lounge, you cross the expansive banquet area where we host up to 300 people, including a dance floor. On the other side, you are pleasantly surprised to see our West room, complete with a cozy fireplace and outdoor veranda. From the room you see the stream and lake that is adjacent to our downstairs sitting areas.

Moving back to the foyer, you descend a beautiful spiral staircase to the lower level that features our well stocked pro shop, men’s, and ladies’ locker rooms, and two grill rooms – each with its own private bar. Outside the grill rooms, you find a cigar lounge area as well and a trellis covered patio, overlooking the stream and lake previously described.

The lake adjacent to the clubhouse is the perfect spot for weddings and other picture taking opportunities. On the patio you can hear the final surprise of your visit – a 150-foot waterfall cascading down from the clubhouse to the 18th green.

Dove Canyon is located in the heart of suburban Orange County, but you would never notice it. A typical day at Dove includes sightings of hawks, deer, coyotes, and bobcats; and although rare, even a mountain lion sighting has been recorded.

The majestic clubhouse, perched high above the golf course, is the perfect location for parties, dining, or just relaxing and enjoying the awe-inspiring views. The custom copper roofing, combined with the stone and African Mahogany makes the building a pillar in the Dove Canyon community. It is a truly unforgettable experience when you visit Dove Canyon.

18. Tahoe Beach Club, Stateline, Nev.

Premiere location on Lake Tahoe, private beach, floating dock, excellent amenities, and service. Excellent food, with an approachable and rotating menu. Premium bar products, creative/ innovative cocktails, club-centric pricing.

At Tahoe Beach Club, our vision is to offer our members and guests the quintessential Tahoe experience. From direct beach access to effortless hospitality and memorable adventures intended to spark stories that will be passed on for generations. Our connection with Tahoe does not stop at the water’s edge, however. In the spirit of Tahoe, we are also dedicated to upholding the best practices of sustainable development and adhering to the Green Globe Standard for green building design, with significant attention and resources directed to improving and maintaining this rare lakefront property. We are committed to preserving the Tahoe lifestyle along with its setting, landscape, and natural wonder.

19. Navesink Country Club, Red Bank, N.J.

Over the years, the club has diligently worked with industry resources on creating the best facilities possible for the membership. While this has been a significant financial investment, the outcomes are apparent. With dedicated “casual” spaces, gourmet options, and regular available, the food and beverage options are among the best.

A balance between maintaining the history of the original Riker estate while incorporating a coastal vibe meshes with the area. The private rooms for meetings and other member usage options are well appointed and provide members with a home away from home.

The commitment to facilities is apparent. The staff takes pride in the appearance and cleanliness of all spaces, and the end result is a huge benefit to the membership.

20. Canoe Brook Country Club, Summit, N.J.

Since the completion of our 2013 renovation project, we have seen an overwhelmingly positive response from Canoe Brook’s membership. Usage rates in member dining and non-golf sporting facilities have soared as a result of the new clubhouse. Canoe Brook’s newly renovated and expansive facilities, allow us to operate numerous spaces that appeal to different membership demographics.

The original clubhouse was built pre-1901. We have undergone numerous renovations and expansions in the years following but our most recent project was completed in 2016.

In 2013, a three-phase project to extensively renovate, restore and rebuild the Canoe Brook clubhouse and pool complex began. Completed in 2016, the club now features a significantly expanded grand ballroom, a large member bar & tavern, overnight guest accommodations, new family and formal dining rooms, extensive outdoor dining venues, full-service pool bar and grill, and performance center facility with indoor golf training room.