Top Ranked Patios (#1-5)

For this group on the Top 41 list, the patios are profiled for The Club at the Dunes in Naples, Fla.; Club 27 at Sykes/Lady Overland Park (Kan.) Golf Course; Legends Golf and Country Club in Fort Myers, Fla.; Army Navy Country Club in Arlington, Va.; and The Club at Quail Ridge in Boynton Beach, Fla.

Club + Resort Business has released its list of Top Ranked Patios for 2021. The rankings reflect the ratings of club and resort properties that submitted entries, as judged independently by General Managers and Membership/Marketing Directors of several leading clubs.

The rankings reflect the judges’ scoring of data provided on patio square footage, both total and covered; total capacity and seating capacity; features such as outdoor ovens, firepits and outdoor bars/service stations; and average daily meal covers served on the patio. 

Entries also included descriptions submitted by the club and resort properties on why their patio area should be top ranked, and a full complement of supporting photos.

The judges weighted the data and material provided to score all entries on a scale of 100.

The full rankings can be viewed on the main Top Ranked Listing Page. Here are profiles of the Top 5 Ranked Private Clubs in the Patios category.

#1 The Club at the Dunes, Naples, Fla.

As the predominant feature of The Club at the Dunes, the patio areas define a coastal casual lifestyle. Immediately upon entering on a winter evening, members are greeted with palm trees swaying in the coastal breeze, the sound of four crackling firepits available for full food-and- beverage service, and gently falling waterfalls in the resort-style pool centerpiece that is visible from all patio areas.

Members who choose to sit outside and enjoy the Florida weather have five options to choose from: the covered terrace, poolside tiki patio, indoor/outdoor sandbar, tiki bar and fire pits.

All covered areas are complete with built-in heaters and fans. Portable gas heaters are in abundance for those in the poolside tiki patio seating. Two distinct kitchens operate to cover all patios and fulfill every need of each member and guest.

#2 Club 27 at Sykes/Lady Overland Golf Club, Overland Park, Kan.

The Sykes/Lady Overland Park Golf Club opened an entirely new, state-of-the-art clubhouse in 2019, featuring the Club 27 Restaurant, an indoor/outdoor restaurant and bar with patio seating for 200. The concept for the new facility is a country club-like setting at a public golf course.

The covered upper patio has seating for 110 guests and features a full-service walkup bar. Overlooking the golf course with panoramic views, the scene of the superbly maintained course from the covered upper deck seating is breathtaking. Positioned on the east side of the building, diners appreciate the spectacular views of the sunrise in the morning, while enjoying shady, comfortable seating by noon. There are five televisions inside the restaurant and five outside on the patio for guests to enjoy sports and entertainment while dining with friends. The “garage doors” are raised in the restaurant to let diners enjoy the open, fresh-air concept.

The lower patio has seating for 90, featuring 20 tables with umbrellas, a firepit with cushion seating, a portable bar and a full view of the golf course. The lower patio is also available for special events and tournaments.

Adjacent to the patio seating is artificial turf used for putting, games, exhibitions, concerts, registration and buffet set-up for events.

#3 Legends Golf and Country Club, Fort Myers, Fla.

The Sunset Grill is the place to be at Legends G&CC The venue has capacity for 173 patrons and features tables both on an outdoor terrace and under cover.

The Sunset Grill overlooks a resort -tyle pool, driving range, putting green, and offers vistas of the magnificently landscaped grounds and sunsets over a large lake.

There are 16 televisions strategically positioned along with a large video wall, allowing members to follow their favorite teams and sporting events.

The Sunset Grill also has its own kitchen, so each dish arrives fresh and hot.

#4 Army Navy Country Club, Arlington, Va.

Army Navy Country Club has a total of five outdoor patios. Some are used for catered events (both covered and uncovered) while others are used for a la carte dining.

Much of the club’s outdoor patio space overlooks the parapets of Fort Richardson, a Union Army encampment built in September 1861 as part of the defense of Washington, D.C. during the American Civil War.

Today the club’s #9 green of its Red golf course is located in the original ‘footprint’ of the Fort and, in the distance, the Washington Monument and the Air Force Memorial can be seen.

Members enjoy this nowhere-else-in-the world view as they dine on The Eisenhower Lounge Terrace or attend an event on the rooftop terrace.

#5 The Club at Quail Ridge, Boynton Beach, Fla.

The members of The Club at Quail Ridge enjoy being seated on the patio where they can soak up all of the scenic landscaping, golf views, and the outdoor water features.

The patio area is the social spot to be during the season, as members enjoy the indoor/outdoor space in close proximity to the club’s kitchen, so service is always prompt and dining experiences are always the best in class.

The views in the evening are equally impressive, as the fire pits come alive with color and the uplighting around the clubhouse and golf course is truly breathtaking.

Carefully placed TVs in the patio and outside bar areas make certain that members’ favorite sporting events all receive proper coverage.