For this group on the Top 61 list, the clubhouses are profiled for Western Golf & Country Club in Redford, Mich.; Treviso Bay in Naples, Fla.; Riverside Country Club in Bozeman, Mont.; Reunion Golf & Country Club in Madison, Miss.; and Longbow Golf Club in Mesa, Ariz.
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/.
46. Western Golf & Country Club, Redford, Mich.
Western Golf & Country Club’s impressive, state of the art, built from ground-up, brand new clubhouse officially opened in April 2021.
Western’s new clubhouse features all modern amenities but maintains the classic touches of the 1920’s craftsman era. When designing the new club, the efficiency of the building and a layout conducive to employee success and member satisfaction was key.
The clubhouse boasts three stories with balcony seating overlooking our stunning Donald Ross designed course and pool. Four unique dining facilities, expansive locker rooms and lounge areas, ample meeting space, Kid Kamp, three banquet rooms for events, plus more.
Western’s future looks bright with upcoming projects that include a pool house renovation, fitness facility, simulators and wine lockers.
47. Treviso Bay, Naples, Fla.
Treviso Bay is resort-style living at its best in the heart of Naples. The amenities of this splendid community include an 18-hole TPC designed championship golf course, professional tennis courts, fitness center and two private clubhouses that include fine dining, shops and spa services.
Treviso Bay also offers a bundled equity golf membership with the purchase of select homes, making it the only TPC bundled golf experience that exists in Naples.
The centerpieces of Treviso Bay are the 64,000 sq.-ft. luxurious main clubhouse and Villa Rilassare, a 15,000 sq.-ft. monument to good friends and great times. Residents enjoy a wealth of amenities such as resort-style lagoons, lap pools, tennis center with pro shop, fitness center, aerobics and Pilates studio, there’s both tennis and golf pros to perfect your game! Treviso Bay is unlike any other community in Florida. This Mediterranean-inspired community features elegant bridges, fountains and landscaping.
48. Riverside Country Club, Bozeman, Mont.
Riverside approached its 15th birthday in dramatic fashion by opening a brand new clubhouse in 2007. Our first half-century reflects Bozeman’s evolution from farm town to thriving city, now with five golf courses in the area. The first Bozeman Country Club and Golf Course occupied land located east of the Bozeman cemetery. The land was purchased in 1922 from Gallatin County for delinquent taxes at a total cost of $115.82. Serving the nine-hole, sand green course, the log clubhouse still stands near Lindley Park and is now known as the U.C.T. building. In the 1930s, a second nine-hole course called Valley View was built along Sourdough Ridge, now occupied by homes.
During World War II, military service and gasoline rationing reduced membership, as it did in many golf clubs. The local Elks Club bought and operated the course and clubhouse. When gambling in charitable organizations terminated in the late ‘50s, the Club closed. Negotiations began that aimed to combine the two golf courses and establish a new club. Instead of a merger, the split continued. Members of Valley View moved to Kagy Boulevard while the other group formed the Gallatin Valley Golf Association, and in 1959 and 1962 purchased two parcels from Mary (Baxter) Nelson along the East Gallatin River at an average cost of $307.00 per acre. This became Riverside Country Club.
The new nine-hole course (with grass greens) and clubhouse were finished in 1960-61 with about two hundred charter members. One of them recalls playing the first round in 1960. Those were the days when ladies of the club removed rocks from the fairways with screwdrivers and forks. The clubhouse was dedicated May 6, 1961.
Funding for construction came first from a membership fee of $12.00, plus a Certificate of Indebtedness in the amount of $388. (An accountant recommended the odd format to avoid possible tax liability for the club from $400 fees.) To guarantee its non-profit status, Riverside’s original Articles of Incorporation stated that, in case of dissolution, all assets were to go to Montana State University, but this clause no longer applies. The club obtained a loan from Treasure State Life Insurance Company, and later the Bozeman banks funded the development. Dues were set at $15 per month. Additional debt relief came from the sale of lots along Gallatin, Park Plaza and Riverside Drives, leaving the Club with 197 acres.
Expansion and renovation have been continual. With a $350,000 bank loan, the back nine, swimming pool and Fireplace Room were built in 1974-76. The Maintenance Shop was added in 1978. From 1970 until 1978, the club supported a trap shooting range north of the sixteenth fairway. When it was phased out, the building was moved to its present location as the tennis pro shop. In 1979, Gallatin County deeded five acres of dedicated parkland to the club – the current site of the tennis courts. The entire clubhouse and other facilities were relocated and refurbished in 1990 at a cost of $380,000.
Bozeman’s rapid growth in the ‘90s led to improvements at Riverside. In 1999, the Board of Directors authorized renovation of the front nine, including paved cart paths, new tees and reshaped greens. The cost was $811,000 partly defrayed by a $1,000 assessment, and the front back reopened June 3, 2001. This upgrade led to a decline in membership and a rejection of the Board’s proposal (2002) to reconstruct the back nine. In 2005, members rejected a Board proposal to triple the size of the clubhouse. By the spring of 2006, golfing membership had fallen from 450 to 340, but the Board proposed both a new clubhouse and infrastructure developments including interior furnishings, back nine improvements, pool and parking lot (estimated cost: $6,990,000, with a $5,000 assessment). This measure passed, and golfing memberships began to climb toward the current 410 limit. Three lots adjacent to holes 14, 15, and 16 were sold in 2007. Demolition and construction proceeded rapidly through the winter of 06-07, with a farewell celebration, the Hard Hat Ball, in the old clubhouse on February 17, 2007. Spring witnessed the reversal of the front and back nine in order to accommodate the relocated clubhouse. Remarkably, Martel Construction kept construction on schedule and within budget by covering late additions with a voluntary assessment. Dedication of the new clubhouse and course occurred on July 21, 2007.
Like many clubs nationwide, Riverside has lived through trying times: a threat of foreclosure in the ‘60s, chronic cash flow crises, delinquent dues and high staff turnover. Thanks to the dedication and hard work of former and current members, many of whom have volunteered for Board and committee service or contributed funds for enhancing the clubhouse and the golf course, we now enjoy an outstanding full-service country club. Our racquet sports, swimming and dining facilities experience capacity use. As tales of rowdy men’s stag nights in the early years fade, the club retains its informal and congenial atmosphere and promises to remain one of Gallatin Valley’s most attractive places.
49. Reunion Golf & Country Club, Madison, Miss.
From its inception, the vision was that the Reunion Golf & Country Club clubhouse would be seen, thought of and remembered as an extension of our members’ homes – that time spent at the clubhouse would feel like being home. The clubhouse was to be built as efficient as possible utilizing natural resources, with consideration given to the local climate and seasonal temperatures. The clubhouse would be built using the finest, sustainable products available – especially where energy and water usage would be concerned. The vision of the owners was to create a legacy that members, guests of the club and the community at large would be proud to have been a part of.
Family was a central focus of the clubhouse project. It was important to the owners to not over-build spaces such as the large men’s and ladies’ locker rooms, that would separate members. Instead, the goal was to create indoor and outdoor spaces throughout the clubhouse that would encourage gathering in intimate yet comfortable areas where families, couples, neighbors, and friends could enjoy time spent together.
We certainly wanted the final product to be aesthetically pleasing, but also be comfortable, functional and unpretentious while remaining family-focused and attractive to members of all ages. The clubhouse exterior was inspired by a home that was originally built as a wedding gift on the property in 1846. The original owners, the Johnstone family, a royal Scottish family, built the gorgeous Italianate-style home, Ingleside, for their oldest daughter. In 1924, the home was destroyed in a fire, rebuilt in 1928 and currently serves as the development’s welcome center, featuring four of the original 32 columns, located at the entrance to our community.
Showcasing views of our Bob Cupp-designed golf course, the lakes and the property’s wooded acreage was an integral part of the clubhouse vision. Our sophisticated dining venue, Kristie’s, features floor-to-ceiling windows and doors that open to an expansive wrap-around porch; providing scenic views and allow for additional event space for club gatherings.
The main level of the clubhouse consists of the henry bar, Kristie’s, the Founders Room, and the club ballroom. Event space can be sectioned into three areas, creating the efficiency needed to host multiple events at the same time. Multiple kitchens – one on the main level and one on the lower level – allow the club to host large events and receptions, while not impacting daily club life. Members can enjoy family pizza night in Ella Jane’s Pizza Pub, while a formal 500-person wedding is being hosted on the main level. We are honored to have received the following accolades since opening our beautiful clubhouse: 2019 Golf Inc. Clubhouse of the Year, 2020 Golf Inc. Golden Fork Award, 2021 Mississippi Magazine’s Best Formal Wedding Venue of Mississippi, and 2021 Club + Resort Business Top Culinary Experience.
By incorporating neutral palettes throughout the clubhouse and adding vibrant colors with fresh flowers, elegant accent fabrics, wall treatments and muted finishes, allow views to take precedent with little distraction. Outdoor lounging and dining spaces are enhanced with comfortable furnishings, modern fire pits and unique light fixtures to blend indoor and outdoor transition.
Whether it is our wood beam ceiling accents, wrought iron chandeliers, our front-facing brick pizza oven or custom wine cellar; details blend timeless design concepts with modern interpretations. We have absolutely created popular destinations within the clubhouse for members to gather that are also aesthetically pleasing and functional.
Since our opening in August 2018, the clubhouse has hosted dozens of family events including Caribbean-themed date night, adult and junior cooking classes (dough throwing included!), painting/art classes, movie nights on the patio, Family Fun Days with petting zoos, inflatables, magic shows, annual Mother & Daughter Tea, Father & Daughter Dance, Harry Potter Party, and countless themed, holiday-inspired events. Serving our members and guests is our passion, and we are honored to do so in one of the most beautiful and impressive venues around.
50. Longbow Golf Club, Mesa, Ariz.
Longbow Golf Club has incorporated manufactured modular structures as permanent facilities. With extensive architectural design features and the addition of permanent function, dining and bar spaces, a unique facility stands as an example of alternate methods, reflecting southwestern architecture and efficient use of smaller spaces to create a full-service clubhouse.
Longbow Golf Club was named a Top 100 Resort Course by a national publication in 2009 and the surrounding development of Longbow Business Park & Golf Club includes a hotel adjacent to the clubhouse, entertainment, dining and service establishments to complete the resort atmosphere and to compliment the highly rated resort course.
Managed by Troon, Longbow Golf Club is known as “The Essence of Arizona Golf.” Host to First Tee, Fisher Bryan Golf Academy, Annual AJGA, Collegiate, LPGA, and more amateur and professional golf events; weddings, corporate, community and service organizations, the Longbow Golf Club clubhouse is an example of how the smaller but efficient clubhouse, modular but modern and efficient, is meeting the needs of today’s value conscious owners, operators, members, public and resort guests. Size doesn’t matter if you have it all.
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