For this group on the Top 41 list, the patios are profiled for Lakewood Ranch (Fla.) Golf & Country Club; The Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe (Calif.); Montclair Golf Club in West Orange, N.J.; Richmond County Country Club in Staten Island, N.Y.; Aldeen Golf Club in Rockford, Ill.; World Golf Village in St. Augustine, Fla.; The Club at High Hampton in Cashiers, N.C.; Lubbock (Texas) Country Club; Cowboys Golf Club in Grapevine, Texas; Reunion Golf & Country Club in Meridian, Miss.; Tampa (Fla.) Yacht & Country Club; Hampton Hall Club in Bluffton, S.C.; Champion Hills Club in Hendersonville, N.C.; The Oaks Club in Osprey, Fla.; The Club at Ruby Hill in Pleasanton, Calif.; and Pine Canyon Club in Flagstaff, Ariz.
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 Nos. 26-41 Ranked Private Clubs in the Patios category.
#26 Lakewood Ranch Golf & Country Club; Lakewood Ranch, Fla.
There are two clubhouses at Lakewood Ranch Golf & Country Club: The Main Clubhouse’s patio consists of covered outdoor spaces with the flexibility to be used for a number of purposes, including seated dining, cocktail receptions, wedding ceremonies—or any combination. It features a six-foot, round firepit with plush relaxed seating and conversation groupings. The expansive views overlook the Lakewood Ranch property’s nature preserve, fountain-filled lakes and golf courses and practice facilities.
The Lodge, Lakewood Ranch’s second clubhouse, features an a la carte dining patio with the ability to be configured in numerous setups. Conversation areas and multiple levels exist to open the space up. The patio wraps around the back of the Lodge clubhouse with 270-degree views of the golf course’s first tee box and the double green for holes 9 and 18, as well as the property’s expansive lake and the Lakewood Ranch putting course. From the Lodge patio, great views towards the west provide amazing sunset vistas.
In addition to the statistics shown on the Top Ranked table for Lakewood Ranch’s Main Clubhouse, the Lodge has a total patio area of 3,000 sq. ft., all of which is covered. Seating capacity is 60 and total capacity is 80. One walk-up bar adjoins the inside bar. The average number of daily meal covers served on The Lodge patio is 125.
#27 The Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe; Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.
The Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe is known for its beautiful clubhouse with wrap-around patios in the back that feature amazing views of the club’s world-class golf course.
The weather is always perfect on the patios for members and guests to enjoy al fresco dining and spectacular meals from Chef Jon Hearnsberger.
#28 Montclair Golf Club; West Orange, N.J.
Montclair GC’s impressive, spacious patio wraps around two sides of the club’s historic clubhouse, affording members sweeping views of the club’s historic golf courses (Montclair has four, nine-hole layouts) and the beautiful, rolling hills of the nearby countryside.
The club’s motto—”Your club, now and always”—is brought to life by the relaxed social setting that transforms the everyday into an exceptional lifestyle experience. At this thriving and vibrant club, members do not just play a round of golf or tennis and leave. They play, stay, and raise a glass to competition and camaraderie, or share a delicious meal in the company of close friends.
Montclair members choose to gather on the patio, which has been designed with covered areas, open-air dining and gathering spots, including a strategically placed firepit and various seating groupings among the wide variety of spaces and options. On the patio, members can order off the regular dining-room menu, while beverage service is handled from two portable bars. Covered portions of the patio feature built-in music.
While parents socialize, there are games and activities for kids of all ages to enjoy, all well within view and earshot of mom and dad. The practice putting green is immediately off the patio, with additional, inviting Adirondack chairs for viewing. The patio is also available for special events, including wedding receptions, corporate outings, post-tournament banquets, and other special occasions.
#29 Richmond County Country Club; Staten Island, N.Y.
With a rich history dating to 1888, Richmond County Country Club (RCCC) is the only private club in New York City and one of the original founders of the Metropolitan Golf Association. Its property occupies the highest point on the Eastern Seaboard and provides some of the finest views of New York Harbor from both of its clubhouses.
The terraces of the Main Clubhouse seat 300 people, allowing members to enjoy not only the scenic views of the Harbor from Brooklyn to Sandy Hook, N.J., but also the club’s resort-style swimming pools and cabanas while having lunch, dinner and cocktails during the summer season.
RCCC’s Annex Golf Clubhouse at its golf course boasts a newly renovated patio overlooking the 18th hole and first tee. With a seating capacity for 50 outdoors and another 50 indoors, this clubhouse and patio is open for complimentary continental breakfast and lunch service, as well as bar service until late in the evening during the season.
#30 Aldeen Golf Club; Rockford, Ill.
The Terrace at Aldeen Golf Club has an exceptional view of the 18th hole of the club’s golf course, as well as its 14,000-sq. ft. practice green, 1st tee, and scoreboard/entertainment area known as “The Grove.”
The Terrace’s outdoor TVs, fire pit, lounge furniture, bar, BBQ grill, smoker and beautiful landscaping provide a warm, relaxing space to enjoy lunch, dinner or drinks after a round of golf. Watching a beautiful sunset with friends while listening to live music makes the Terrace at Aldeen the best spot in town for enjoying a summer evening. And the party doesn’t end when the sun goes down, with beautiful landscape lighting that extends from the first tee all the way to the 18th tee continuing to provide a great view after dark.
Complementing the Terrace, Aldeen GC’s 30′ x 60′ special-event tent and the Illinois Bank and Trust Pavilion was featured in the January 2019 issue of Club + Resort Business (“Undercover Operations”).
#31 World Golf Village; St. Augustine, Fla.
The King & Bear Clubhouse is located within a gated, residential community at the World Golf Village in St. Augustine and just minutes from the World Golf Hall of Fame. It was built in early 2000 and has been the main hub for member events, as well as a gathering place for residents and public guests.
Over the last five years, the surrounding area has seen a surge in development and population growth. To appeal to the changing demographics of new residents, potential members, and resort guests, it was time to reinvigorate the existing clubhouse and offer a more modern vibe to appeal to this new and changing market while serving the current membership and public guests.
In early 2020, The King & Bear clubhouse underwent a renovation that included a complete overhaul of the restaurant, formerly known as The Champions’ Grille, and an expansion of the outdoor patio and dining area. The restaurant was rebranded and renamed AJ’s Kitchen & Cocktails, paying homage to the two golf course designers, Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus, and transformed into an open concept with a relaxed atmosphere, flexible seating areas, and new communal tables.
The bar was also expanded to twenty seats, and new flatscreen TVs were added. New flooring, updated wall colors, and new furniture brightened the interior and added to the fresh and modern appearance of the restaurant, which was redesigned to reflect a Florida Coastal vibe and a blend of Southern Coastal and Lowcountry charm.
The clubhouse renovation also included major changes to the outside patio and dining area. Previously, this area was much smaller and underutilized by members and guests. With the popularity of al fresco dining, it was enlarged to add more seating and ambiance. In addition, two stone firepits were installed along with a cozy, relaxing lounge area for members and guests to relax and enjoy stunning views of the 9th and 18th greens. Several trees have been recently planted to provide a mix of sun and shade during the warm-weather season.
The menu features comfort food with a local twist, including a variety of chef-inspired signature dinner dishes such as Minorcan Skillet and Atlantic Tuna Poke, and a selection of tasty, shareable big or small plates. Specialty drinks, beer samplers, and a wine wall are available, along with an array of signature craft cocktails. The restaurant and outdoor dining area serve lunch daily, dinner service Tuesday through Saturday, and Sunday brunch. Live music is available every Friday evening.
Since the renovation, outdoor dining at AJ’s has been in high demand from members, resort guests and local residents. The outdoor space is now more welcoming and vibrant, providing ample room to dine al fresco.
The new expansion now allows AJ’s Kitchen & Cocktails to serve about 36 diners outdoors. It has become the go-to place for an after-round cocktail and member socials, including a monthly Member Mix-it-Up event. It’s also been a popular draw for local residents and potential members. Since the patio opened in the summer of 2020, membership has increased by 6.5%, and F&B revenue has increased by roughly 40%.
#32 The Club at High Hampton; Cashiers, N.C.
The patio at Halsted House within The Club at High Hampton is the perfect patio for diners, with the lush backdrop of Hampton Lake reflecting the majesty of Chimney Top and Rock Mountains in its waters.
With 4,500 sq. ft. of open and covered space, diners have an idyllic setting for breakfast, lunch or dinner. After dinner, cocktails at the wood-burning firepit and lawn games for the kids provide a perfect ending to a day in the mountains.
The Club at High Hampton’s covered patio was designed with retractable, clear-side walls that can be electronically rolled up to take advantage of perfect summer days that also extend nicely into the spring and fall. The electronic shades can also be rolled down to keep the room climate-controlled and the space comfortable for use during inclement weather and the colder winter months. By having the patio walls be clear and retractable, beautiful views can be captured all year long.
The Club at High Hampton’s patio has ample comfortable seating, but can also be transformed into formal dining should the occasion call for it. When extended to use the surrounding lawn, the space can also be transformed from a comfortable breakfast setting for the family to a luxurious wedding venue.
Members of the club comment each evening about how wonderful the views are of the surrounding mountains, lake and forest. The patio has become a favorite place for many to enjoy dinners with friends, anniversary parties and more.
#33 Lubbock Country Club; Lubbock, Texas
Chilton’s, the name of the outdoor patio at Lubbock CC, is named after the drink, “The Chilton”—which legend holds that a member, Dr. Chilton, would come to the club and tell the bartender how to make the drink, which then became so popular it is now a Lubbock favorite.
Lubbock CC opened Chilton’s in 2016 years, and it offers the best view in the city. Live music is provided on the weekends and with heaters in the ceiling, the patio can be used year-round. With four televisions and a state-of-the-art sound system, it has become a favorite spot for all of the club’s members.
#34 Cowboys Golf Club; Grapevine, Texas
When a club’s name and reputation is integrally linked to the world’s most revered sports brand, it’s essential to be exceptional and deliver on the brand promise. The “Five Points Patio” at Cowboys Golf Club, named in honor of the iconic star logo on the Dallas Cowboys’ helmets, delivers in dramatic fashion.
With 1,200 sq. ft. feet of all-season, outdoor dining and event space, patio guests at Cowboys GC have views of a dramatic water feature including a waterfall and bubbling stream, as well as a floor-to-ceiling, wood-burning stone fireplace, and the golf practice facilities.
The relaxed outdoor patio area has open and flowing spaces, with Adirondack chairs, overstuffed couches, and bar and table seating, including large farmhouse tables. Soft limestone and concrete are complemented by pops of color on cushions and upholstery, as well as large-screen televisions. The furnishings can be moved for extraordinary special events, as a large portion of the club’s business comes from hosting and supporting groups and tournaments.
Cowboys GC, a public facility, is known for its private-club quality in customer and culinary experiences. The club is open seven days a week for golf, dining, hospitality, and private events, which range from weddings and golf tournaments to corporate outings, fundraising galas, business meetings, holiday parties, and other special occasions. It’s also the perfect place for happy-hour or small gatherings, and its location in the center of the growing Dallas-
Fort Worth metroplex is less than 10 minutes from the DFW Airport.
The Cowboys GC patio is also dog-friendly, kid-welcoming, and people-pleasing, with an always-inviting atmosphere and unique dining experience. The menu is decidedly different and not typical club fare or bar food. Five Points Patio shares its menu with an award-winning restaurant next door. This experiential dining establishment features a lively bar offering a selection of artisanal cocktails, along with a rotation of a dozen local craft beers and an international wine menu that complements the “right off the ranch” selections. Charred pork chops, 16-ounce ribeye, shrimp cavatappi, blackened redfish, brisket flautas, and chimichurri salmon are among the distinctive menu items.
Throughout Cowboys GC and the Five Points Patio, a vibrant, interactive fan experience is exemplified by the dramatic original artwork and memorabilia of the storied Dallas Cowboys franchise. A visit here is more than hanging out on a patio—it’s a sensory, fan-exuberant experience.
#35 Reunion Golf & Country Club; Meridian, Miss.
Reunion Golf and Country Club’s patio and terrace creates a relaxed atmosphere overlooking the property’s award-winning golf course.
In addition to Adirondack chairs on the patio’s edge, the terrace pavers feature plush teak wood tables, lounge chairs and sofas. Three gas firepits provide a special autumn attraction, as members break bread with friends and family and enjoy a glass of wine, craft beer or their favorite cocktail.
Al fresco dining and marshmallow toasting are just a few of the many activities that take place regularly on the patio. The inviting setup also attracts a number of celebrations, including everything from wedding ceremonies to golf-tournament entertaining to Reunion G&CC’s annual crawfish boil. In all cases, the events are enhanced by how the patio venue creates an inviting atmosphere and offers beautiful views.
Reunion G&CC’s newly added, 1,200-sq. ft. tent extends the property’s patio space and offers another venue option while providing shelter from Mississippi summer heat and rain. Weddings, live music, food festivals can be held in the tent while still benefitting from beautiful views.
#36 Tampa Yacht & Country Club; Tampa, Fla.
The Tampa Yacht & Country Club is located on the western shore of Hillsborough Bay, immediately south of the Ballast Point Pier.
The pool deck, telltale bar and terrazzo patio provide members and guests with water views and have been the focal point of many member experiences for special club events and holiday celebrations, as well as those days when members just need to escape the busy world outside the club.
#37 Hampton Hall Club; Bluffton, S.C.
When the need for outdoor dining was in high demand as the pandemic took hold, General Manager/COO Loraine Vienne, along with the Food & Beverage management team of Hampton Hall Club, responded by revamping the property’s outdoor dining space and offerings. Space was transformed to truly create an atmosphere where life in the Lowcountry could be fully enjoyed with access to exceptional outdoor living and dining spaces.
Hampton Hall Club’s Lakeside Terrace offers the ultimate outdoor living experience for its members, with newly designed and executed menus. Elegantly integrated with the clubhouse, the 3,000-plus-sq. ft. patio is accented by towering palm trees, colorful floral landscaping, and a stately, white pergola. Members enjoy casual al fresco dining with glorious views of the expansive lake, accented by the relaxing sounds of a 30-foot fountain.
The Lakeside Terrace provides for a seating capacity of 56 at dining tables with umbrellas and an additional 1,000 sq. ft. of covered space. The Terrace is also available for cocktail parties of 200-plus for member events and banquets.
Additionally, the Lakeside Terrace features a soft-seating area around expansive firepits. This seating area also provides for a comfortable and luxurious fireside experience following dinner inside, where a specialty after-dinner drink or expresso can be enjoyed.
The newly created space has been in high demand, offering cool, shaded comfort to enjoy food, drink and friends while surrounded by the natural beauty of the Lowcountry.
#38 Champion Hills Club; Hendersonville, N.C.
The patio has become the heart of the Champion Hills clubhouse. With its awe-inspiring sunsets and pristine views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, laughter and new friendships are often forged right here.
The Champion Hills patio is also a place for members to bring their pets, and members’ dogs can often be seen enjoying the camaraderie while savoring a refreshingly cool bowl of water.
While the nearby downtown of Hendersonville has many outdoor dining options, the Champion Hills patio has uniquely positioned itself because of the view it provides and the tranquility of a natural setting by the ambient glow of the fire pit. As the club’s members say, “If you can grab a burger and a beer with your favorite friends and pets without having to move while viewing one of our stunning signature sunsets, why would you go anyplace else?”
#39 The Oaks Club; Osprey, Fla.
The Oaks Club’s patio features impeccable views of the signature 18th hole of the club’s Arthur Hills-designed Eagle course, one of two championship 18-hole courses on the property.
Equally inspiring views of the lake on The Oaks Club’s thousand-acre property, and of Sarasota, Fla.’s world-class sunsets, can also be enjoyed.
#40 The Club at Ruby Hill; Pleasanton, Calif.
Even before the pandemic breathed new life into outdoor spaces and socializing, the patio at The Club at Ruby Hill has always been the “heart and soul” of the club. In fact, it was the perfect setting for the club’s recent 25th anniversary celebration, with its Tuscan design bringing a bit of European feel to Northern California’s lush wine country.
Perfectly positioned to overlook the 18th hole, the patio offers over-sized, upholstered furniture groupings, as well as high-tops and rounds, so guests can choose from a variety of seating options. It’s become the place where friends watch others finish a round of golf, meet up after a busy day, or cheer on the club’s robust bocce activity. The two regulation-size bocce courts are immediately adjacent to the patio and are made from crushed oyster shells, harkening back to the club’s original landowner, who made his money in the oyster trade. More than 400 club members are involved in league play, and competitions—for men, women, and juniors—run all week long.
Even when the club is open indoors, members prefer being on the patio to take advantage of the beautiful, temperate climate. Five firepits, four of which are movable, create natural gathering points. A popular semi-circular couch adds to the sense of community: There’s a standing reservation each week for a skins group that for years has filled this section of the patio with laughter and good-natured ribbing.
An adjacent circular patio—an extension of the main patio—is popular for weddings and other events. To avoid issues of privacy or noise, an ingenious curtain system can be activated to separate patio-goers from these events.
Other events that use the main patio include “Yappy Hour” for four-legged friends and their owners, karaoke nights, and other live entertainment echoing off the hillside. Children of members have taken over the patio for birdhouse painting, while adult members use the patio to “get an artistic buzz on”—pairing painting and wine.
When on the patio, Ruby Hill members can order off the regular menu, and beverage service flows from two portable bars. The covered areas feature built-in music and there are always plenty of games for kids of all ages to enjoy.
#41 Pine Canyon Club; Flagstaff, Ariz.
Pine Canyon’s newest outlet, Morrish Station, has been a well-timed and perfectly executed addition to the club’s offering of premier amenities, world-class golf, and luxury services. The club’s mission is to be not just a destination, but a refuge where high-end hospitality blends with the exclusive community.
Infused with a wonderful sense of adventure, Pine Canyon’s Morrish Station ties in the historical significance of railroads in the Flagstaff region with a playful sense of belonging. Positioned on the golf course as a dining outlet for the turn to the back nine, it features an open-aired deck overlooking the 9th green, an interior bistro with curated decor, and a full-service kitchen that is always staffed with two cooks and two servers at a minimum.
Soaking in the fresh mountain air, members stop and gather at Morrish Station during their morning walks around the community and cheer on friends who are finishing out their putts.
The space offers a menu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and is the fourth dining outlet available at the club. It also offers a unique ability to host live music and themed events and has become a meeting place for adults and kids.
Opened in early 2020, the new outlet has brought in $155,000 in revenue, a significant increase from $15,000 at the previous facility. Additionally, the club has seen a significant increase in members’ satisfaction.
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