For this group on the Top 20 list, the locker rooms are profiled for Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, N.J.; Richmond County Country Club in Staten Island, N.Y.; Sawgrass Country Club in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.; The Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.; and BallenIsles Country Club in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.

1. Baltusrol Golf Club, Springfield, N.J.

When fire and water damaged this storied golf club’s clubhouse (“Saving a Special Place,” C+RB, February 2021), rebuilding the men’s locker room presented a fortuitous opportunity to showcase Baltusrol’s 125-year history. Throughout the spacious men’s locker room, historical memorabilia—including photographs, magazine covers, scorecards, and videos—are on display.

The functionality of the locker room space is apparent, with stair access from the main level of the clubhouse and outside, ground-level entrances. Generously sized lockers, showers, and steam—fixtures in the locker rooms of many fine clubs—are enhanced by the personalized service of locker-room attendants. Shoeshine, ironing, and an array of amenities including food and beverages are available to members and their guests.

The men’s locker-room dining area includes a spacious service bar and seating area for drinks or dining. Here, too, historical memorabilia convey the story of Baltusrol’s courses and champions—only fitting for a club that has hosted 17 major and national championships. Locker-room dining spills over onto an outdoor patio, adjacent to the new scoring room, to take advantage of temperate weather and afford ease of access to the nearby practice putting green.

The club is proud of its history and made a major investment in telling its story in a tasteful and informative fashion. Members are very proud of their club’s past and traditions, and have gone to great lengths to preserve and exhibit it. As the club likes to say, “Our history defines our future.”

As part of the renovation, Baltusrol added the scoring room, open to all golfers and guests, where the tournaments it has hosted are celebrated with photos, scorecards, trophies, and interactive displays, all tastefully presented to illustrate the club’s rich championship pedigree of USGA and PGA events. The treasures include replicas of the U.S. Open and Wanamaker trophies.

2. Richmond County Country Club, Staten Island, N.Y.

Richmond County Country Club (RCCC) boasts first-class amenities, a championship golf course, a state-of-the-art aquatic facility and newly renovated fitness center, eight Har-Tru tennis courts with a pavilion, an exciting bocce league, exquisite dining options, exceptional service, impressive events, and picturesque views of the surrounding harbor. Since 1888, RCCC has been known around the world for its rich tradition and family values.

In 2021, RCCC completed an exciting renovation of its golf clubhouse campus, featuring prestigious locker rooms with an abundance of amenities for members and guests.

The men’s locker room at RCCC totals 4,000 sq. ft. and boasts 323 lockers. The women’s area comprises 1,400 total sq. ft. and 72 lockers. First-class amenities include steam rooms, whirlpool and therapeutic, saunas, shoe service, and a bar with dining available for members and guests. A pair of TVs let members watch sporting events or stay informed about the news of the day.

Golf arrived at RCCC in 1894. The growing popularity of the sport was led by George Hunter, George Armstrong, and James Park. Hunter and Armstrong were members at St. Andrews, and participated in the “unofficial” amateur championship of 1894. These pioneer golfers designed a 9-hole course.

In 1897, RCCC moved to its present location on the Dongan Hills to accommodate the rising interest in golf. A new 9-hole course was built, and a second 9-hole course was created the following season. The present clubhouse was acquired from a lavish estate.

In 1989, the state of New York demonstrated its interest in Staten Island’s Green Belt by purchasing the golf course, then giving RCCC a 99-year lease. This provided an opportunity for the club to finance noticeable course enhancements, cover annual maintenance costs, and build a modern clubhouse adjacent to the championship golf course.

To this day, RCCC continues the vision of excellence established by its founding members, and proudly provides first-class amenities and state-of-the-art facilities in the heart of Staten Island.

3. Sawgrass Country Club, Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.

Today’s clubhouse must be designed to impress members and their guests who travel to play other world-class clubs. A very high hospitality standard is expected. The elevated golf experience can no longer provide a place just for changing, but should provide areas that transform the social aspects connected with the game of golf and luxury, pampering spaces.

For a club with a rich history in tournament golf, the locker room and surrounding golf operations are as important, if not more important, than the food-and-beverage amenities. Sawgrass Country Club needed a place to celebrate its rich history and create a place where golfers could relax and share old and new stories with other members and their guests.
The membership voted to invest in a Peacock + Lewis-designed replacement clubhouse. Because golf is at the center of the members’ lifestyle, the construction was built in phases, to allow members and their guests to use a portion of the existing clubhouse while the new one was being constructed.

Locker rooms today include card tables and sitting areas within the space. The men’s locker room at Sawgrass goes above and beyond with the addition of concierge tailoring services, for the ultimate personal service. The entire lower level of the new clubhouse is dedicated to golf operations. The centralized locker rooms wrap the lower level of the club with an outdoor colonnade lined with windows.

The millwork cabinetry is well-appointed for grooming and efficiently integrates appliances such as ice machines, refrigerator drawers, storage, and a large TV. Wet areas connect to the locker bays with no doors, making good use of space. A towel cabinet creates a visual blind between the locker room and showers and is filled with fresh towels, plenty of drawer space and a laundry hamper.

The new clubhouse carpets interpret the classic and tailored style of Scottish houndstooth. The men’s stained lockers and leather chairs create a warm and inviting space.

The ladies’ locker room is resort-style, with a gentle, concentric circle-pattern carpet accented with salmon, watermelon and coral pops of color and crisp linen lockers. The ladies’ lounge has been such a hit that ladies are scheduling this room to host intimate private parties.

4. The Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe, Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.

The Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe is home to some of the most outstanding locker-room facilities for both male and female members. The Bridges offers an ultra-modern experience that includes exceptionally comfortable seating, windows offering stunning views, welcoming balcony breezes, and spa amenities that help members relax while freshening up after a long day on the court or course.

The Bridges offers full-service dining out of the lounge areas for both the men’s and women’s locker rooms. Both serve as a staging and welcoming area before entering the locker-room facilities. The men’s lounge features a full bar, pool table, shuffleboard, dart board, indoor and outdoor seating, and five flat-screen TVs. The ladies lounge features indoor and outdoor seating, card tables, a reading nook and two flat-screen TVs.

Several high-end products are made available to members through the locker rooms. The Bridges can coordinate skincare and massage services through the Sports Centre, which features an on-site esthetician.

5. BallenIsles Country Club, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.

The moment members and guests enter the BallenIsles locker rooms, there is a sense of home and comfort. From the fine furnishings to the warm greeting from the locker-room attendants who are ready to assist, a sense of peace and tranquility is created for everyone during their visit.

The club’s locker rooms are conveniently located at both the Sports Complex and the newly renovated locker rooms at the clubhouse, offering open and welcoming gathering spaces. Individual lockers are available to store belongings, and large vanity areas are filled with products and amenities to prepare for the day.

A variety of relaxing lounge areas are available, including the sauna/steam rooms and multiple showers. Or members may choose to lay back and relax for a few moments in the facility’s quiet rooms. The rooms are stocked with complimentary snacks, sweets, daily newspapers, and magazines.

Within the Sports Complex locker rooms, members and guests have easy access to the club’s on-site Cosmo & Company Salon & Spa, which offers massages, facials, hair and nail services.