golf clubhouses

[archie_struthers]

We're seriously thinking about building a new clubhouse at Greate Bay, and looking for a best of list. I know we've got some world travelers out there, so go for it!

Our club gets has fun members, lots of good players and many second clubbers from the Philadelphia area. By nature its a casual place, and it's important that the new clubhouse has that feel. We're at the Jersey shore, so it can't be stuffy.

We host lots of weddings and banquets so our idea is that the second floor be strictly dedicated to F&B. Separating the golfers from the banqueteers always seems to work well. Many clubhouses I see miss the mark on this one.

Looking forward to searing form everyone.

[TEPaul]

Archie:

In my opinion you need to just design the interior needs first and when that's done the look and feel and style of the interior and exterior can be decided upon. There's a whole lot out there for examples. Want some help?

[Steve_ Shaffer]

In the Philadelphia and South Jersey area, for new construction, I like Hidden Creek, French Creek and Scotland Run. I think that your requirement for a second floor banquet facility makes Scotland Run the leading contender to emulate.

[Craig_Rokke]

Archie-
I think that separating the golfers from the wedding-goers is a noble idea. The main thing you'd need to make sure of is that the banquet facilities are very serviceable for ground floor deliveries of food, rental equipment etc, as well as trash pickup. If the kitchen also caters to a golfers' grillroom, perhaps having both functions on the same floor has some merit.

I'd see if Scotland Run's 2nd floor facility works well.

I'd agree with Steve that French Creek has a tastefully-done Chester County farmhouse-styled clubhouse. They do cater some weddings there. What they did to separate the two contingents was to put them at opposite ends of the main floor. I believe the kitchen sits in the middle. The firm they utilized also designed Fieldstone's in DE, which also looked nice from pictures I saw.

Applebrook also has an attractive clubhouse in the same architectural vein. I do believe that their main kitchen is located on a level below the grill, but my memory is a little hazy.

[cary lichtenstein]

Whoever did Black Rock and Estancia is the best in the country

[Patrick_Mucci]

Archie,

Didn't Davis Sezna design a clubhouse to serve the two functions ?

I believe that Gene Mulvihill did the same with his new clubhouse up in Sussex County, although, I understand it's relatively large.

I'd contact both of them and get their imput.

What do bozos like TEPaul know ?  

 

[Steve_Lovett]

A few thoughts to consider...

For the type of club you are describing, unless you are completely space-constrained, there are probably better and more efficient ways to create good banquet space while separating golf/banquet uses.

Banquet space upstairs creates additional expense w/an elevator and operational challenges with constrained vertical circulation.  It also precludes the ability for associated prefunction and breakout spaces on the ground floor.  If possible, it might be good to look at the banquet spaces as a separate "wing" rather than stacking it.  The kitchen can be set up to consolidate banquet and restaurant functions to a great extent.

Also, many clubs are using exterior level lawn terraces as locations for inexpensive gatherings, etc.  Often these areas are pre-plumbed, pre-wired, and often pre-sleeved to accept a semi-permanent "event tent".  It is cheap additional functional square footage to capture - and reduces the need to build expensive building space for the infrequent large events.

It sounds like you need something functional, very nice, and unpretentous.  Addressing the REAL program needs and creating optimal efficiencies is a good first step (and will get you the greatest results for your investment) - while keeping an appropriate architectural style in mind.  The details of which can follow.

Good luck.

[Michael Robin]

Archie - The clubhouse at Riviera has a lot of what you're discussing. All the wedding F & B is seperate from the member use areas except for the overhanging terraces where the guests frequent and are a little noisy, which is only a problem in that it adds pressure to your hitting a good tee shot on 1. There is a great view for the guests though. Bel-Air has a similar upstairs/downstairs seperation of function that works well.

The nicest new facilities that I've seen recently are Mayacama in Santa Rosa, California, and Glenwild in Park City, Utah. Well sited, comfortable, great flow, great facilities, full fledged spas, great food, majestic spaces, wonderfully appointed. In fact, the DMB  Associates gang from Scottsdale really get this right at the clubs that they build (Lahontan - Lake Tahoe, Santaluz - San Diego, Glenwild - Park City). I'd pick their brain or check out their sites.

Also, I really loved the intimacy and easy feel to Wade Hampton. The proximity of the great porch to the 18th green leads to camaraderie and banter between those that have finished, and those that are attempting to. Great chairs on that porch too.

[Rob_Waldron]

Many of the best liked clubhouses feature numerous amenities within the Mens Locker Room. Including food service, a bar, a smoking area, exercise equipment, and very large televisions. My personal favorite is Adios in Coconut Grove, Florida. The fact that it is a Men Only club certainly helps.

The key rule of thumb that has already been mentioned is to maintain seperation between member areas and non member areas. When the two are mixed it is very uncomfortable for all.  

[wsmorrison]

Archie,

I encourage you to look at the Zmistowski Design Group:

www.zdesigngroup.net

They have done some outstanding work in clubhouse designs.  I guess these are really upscale though.  I was interested in them for a project I was working on.  I have no affiliation with the firm whatsoever.

[Dan Herrmann]

We are really liking the French Creek clubhouse - as was said before, the kitchen is centrally located, and is between the big ballroom (used for events and weddings) and the grill, which is a nice open rustic room with a great view of 18 green.  Nice fireplace too.

Interestingly, almost all of the stone for the building came from the property.  Good old Pennsylvania fieldstone.

and it's all non-smoking too  

You can see some pics at http://www.frenchcreekgolf.com/PublicContent/photo_gallery.asp  (just navigate thru the pics - the clubhouse pics will show up)

The architect is a member of the club too - he's 'gets' golf architecture as well.

[wsmorrison]

Dan,

That's right, I was really impressed with your clubhouse.  Along with the golf course, it may well be the best value in golf in the area.

Beechtree has a nice clubhouse as well, even if Cory is no longer there  

[archie_struthers]

Thanks and keep the great imput coming. I've been to a few of the places mentioned and will be at Adios in a couple of weeks to see some of my friends in South Fla.. It is one of the best locker rooms anywhere, but might cause some fraternization issues upstairs for us. Certainly the use of pre-wired and plumbed outside deck areas that you can tent is a great idea.

I'm going to look at some of the recommendations, would particularly like to visit Riviera if I can sneak to the left coast someday soon!

It seems to me that clubhouses, locker rooms with clear spans and minimal interior walls feel the best to me. Now if only we can get the grill room, pub feeling like the old Avalon Hotel!

[Matt MacIver]

I loved Devil's Paintbrush....very small by typical standards, designed to look like a British pub.  Fits the entire course style and atmosphere perfectly.  There's not even a locker room - in the back right corner there is an empty space with a dividing shade.  

[Mike_Sweeney]

Now if only we can get the grill room, pub feeling like the old Avalon Hotel!

Archie,

If you have any guts, you will call that grill room The Bongo Room!  

I would not limit yourself to golf clubs. Since you are talking about The Shore, you may want to look at Yacht Clubs. One modern one that comes to mind is South Carolina Yacht Club.

http://www.scyachtclub.com/

[SL_Solow]

Separation of function and ease of delivery can be aided by site selection.  If a sloping site suitable to a split level type of construction is available, separate entrances for golf and banquet facilities can be constructed on different levels.  Delivery entrances can also be planned to increase efficiency and ease congestion.

[mtp]

Here's a few

http://www.markfinlay.com/portfolio.htm

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