Willow Oaks Country Club in South Richmond, Va., is embarking on a comprehensive, multi-phase, $11 million upgrade—the most significant set of improvements at the member-owned club in decades.
The planned enhancements include a clubhouse expansion, an indoor tennis court addition, four new dedicated pickleball courts, a cabana-style bar at the pool, and a 4,000-sq.-ft. indoor/outdoor golf practice facility with roll-up bay doors and Trackman simulators. These changes aim to elevate the overall member experience and position the club for long-term growth, both in membership engagement and new member recruitment.
The initiative builds on the club’s continued momentum during the post-pandemic golf boom. With nearly 1,000 member families and a waiting list of about 40, Willow Oaks is currently operating at capacity. Revenues reflect the strong demand, rising from $8.4 million in 2019 to $11.1 million in 2023.
The planning process began several years ago with a member feedback survey that emphasized a desire for more social spaces, enhanced dining options, and new recreational amenities like pickleball. The club partnered with Chambers, a Baltimore-based planning and design firm that specializes in private clubs, to bring the vision to life.
Clubhouse renovations will include updates to the kitchen, a reimagined adult dining and bar area, a refreshed entryway, and improvements to the daily dining restaurant. A fifth indoor tennis court will be constructed alongside the new pickleball courts. The indoor/outdoor golf practice facility will also feature a built-in social gathering space. At the pool, a covered cabana bar will be added, further expanding the club’s warm-weather offerings.
Construction is scheduled to begin in fall 2025, with Emerald Construction serving as general contractor and Baker Development Resources managing the city approval process. Work will proceed in phases to minimize disruption, starting with the pool bar and golf practice facility during the winter months.
The most significant impact to operations will occur during the clubhouse kitchen renovation. To maintain food service, the club plans to operate a temporary pop-up café supported by a mobile kitchen.
Project funding will come from a combination of special member assessment fees and bank financing through Truist. Members were given payment options, including up-front contributions, annual installments, or monthly payments over four years. About 70% of members voted in favor of the plan, indicating strong overall support. The club also projected a 5% attrition rate due to the assessment, though early data shows a lower-than-expected rate closer to 2.5%.
If the timeline holds, the entire project will be completed by 2027, aligning with the club’s 80th anniversary milestone.
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