You got a Citation?
The course, which of course must be first rate, should be designed by one of the modern classicists, Doak, Hanse, Smyers, C&C. The design should carefully follow the dictates of Dr. Mackenzie in his formal code of design criteria. In particular, the course should be challenging for the skilled and fun for the less skilled. The course should of course fit the site regardless of where the site may be located. No "links" courses in parkland settings created merely by clear cutting and calling it a "links."
The clubhouse should not only be understated but actually somewhat rustic. There should be a wide porch where play to and on the 9th and 18th greens can be observed. There should be nothing fancier on the menu than a rib eye steak sandwich, and the cheeseburger should be locally famous. As Gib indicates, the wine list should be excellent, with French and California wines that go well with steak sandwiches and cheeseburgers.
No swimming pool, no tennis courts. A caddy program that actually employs caddies, and members who walk unless physically unable. The caddies can play every Monday and clinics are part of the caddy program.
Handicaps should be scrupulously accurate but most casual play should be scratch with matches organized to reflect levels of skill.
The lockers in mens and women's locker rooms should be purchased from Oakmont next time they upgrade their locker rooms. Maybe the porch too.
The speed of the greens should reflect the internal contours of the greens. Not necessarily "fair," but certainly playable.
As is the practice at Pensacola CC, the pros should actually play with the members, participating in the Saturday dog fight and other games.
Also like PCC, no tee times unless it's the club championship or something like that. While this could create a problem at some clubs, everybody knows when to show up and there's never more than a 20 minute wait on the first tee. A group on the 9th tee understands if a foursome jumps in on #10 to avoid a 20 minute wait.
Oh yeah, no restrictions on when women can play. Again, everybody understands when to be there in order to get on and play fast. All rounds are conducted in less than 3:30. Because there's no fancy clubhouse, lavish food operation, and money losing pool and tennis courts, the membership can be around 200 and the initiation fee/dues can be modest. The biggest item on the budget would be course maintenance.
I've actually been dreaming about belonging to a club like this for years.