GCA Clubhouse

[Steve_Roths]

With the latest discussions of Old Money vs. New Money and Clubhouses ruining golf, how would you describe the perfect clubhouse?  Either name a place that does it perfectly or come up with your own.

I think Redanman did a good job on the other thread:

"Anything more than a bar, locker rooms with nice showers and mesh metal lockers (or an open area like GMGC), a place to eat or two is overkill.

The proshop should be a separate building near the first tee.

Other than that I have no opinion. "

[Brian_Gracely]

Take the existing Locker-room & ProShop at CPC and put the MPCC halfway house in the place where the current CPC clubhouse stands and you'd be hard-pressed to find much better.  

[Bill Gayne]

The best club house that I've been in is Shinnecock. The view from the back porch is great. I loved the simple white lockers. The size was not overwhelming.

[Bill Gayne]

The other clubhouse which I really liked was Old Head. It had a great a vista from the dining area. I think they did well in building something smaller that did not try to compete with the incredible setting. Close to parking, practice areas, and finishing holes.

[Paul Perrella]

       When you want to go to the "fort" with the boys, I would head to The Golf Club.

[Dave_Miller]

"Anything more than a bar, locker rooms with nice showers and mesh metal lockers (or an open area like GMGC), a place to eat or two is overkill.

 

With all due respect to my good friend Tom Paul you can have the locker room at GMGC.  Sorry but a hook to hang something on just doesn't cut it. \
Best
Dave

[Jimmy Muratt]

It seems like most of the favored clubhouses are ones that have been around for quite a while.  What are your favorite modern clubhouses that meet similar criteria but obviously don't have the history?  I have heard the Chechessee Creek has a very understated and classic clubhouse.  

[Jfaspen]

From photos alone, I really like the looks of both CPC and ANGC's clubhouses.

Jeff

[Mike_Sweeney]

This is an interesting thread. A bunch of guys who process to love golf courses that fit the "lay of the land" now want one clubhouse to fit all their post-golfing needs. Sounds like some bad architecture !!

I think there are many examples of clubhouses in many different locations that fit very well in one spot and not others. I mentioned last week, how The Orchards clubhouse was one of my favorites, yet it would not fit at Newport CC and vice versa.

[Adam_F_Collins]

I loved the clubhouse at St. George's in Ontario. I am partial to the old-school approach to clubhouse design.

However, I still hold that the course should be properly designed and built before millions of dollars are poured into a clubhouse. It is a reality, though that clubhouses are very important to the operating budgets of most clubs.

For a modern design, Devil's Pulpit has a wonderful clubhouse.
 

[Steve_Lovett]

Many of us have not experienced the clubhouses at many of the clubs you all are referencing... Please describe the details of the places you reference.  What makes them great, awful, special...??

[Bill Gayne]

Mike,

I understood what Steve Roths was looking for is to identify the styles or features that we liked in Clubhouses and give examples if we wanted. Not what all clubhouses should be.

In both examples that I used, you can tell that the setting of the clubhouse to provide views is important to me. And that if the natural setting is beautiful that the clubhouse doesn't overwhelm or detract from nature. If the setting does not have natural beauty than building something to enhance the natural setting is okay.

[Tiger_Bernhardt]

I like the combo brian noted. I also like Western Gailes locker room alot. SFGC is none to shabby as well.

[Mike_Young]

I think the Secession clubhouse is one of the better modern clubhouses....
B

[Gary_Smith]

Some of the best I've seen are Shinnecock, (from the outside), Augusta Natl (from the outside), and Medinah.  

[Tiger_Bernhardt]

It seems the Secession needs to be seen. Mike , How far is it from Athens?

[Mike_Young]

It is 4 hours but I can arrange if anyone wishes to play when down here for the tourney etc.
Mike

[Michael Moore]

The platform at Friar's Head, with the comfy chairs, giant cooler, and uninterrupted views.

Sweeney was smitten with the clubhouses in Kennebunkport, both of which consist of a tiny pro shop on one side and two tiny beat-up locker rooms on the other. Extreme displays of WASP understatement.

He did sort of look at me funny when I said there was no beer at Webhannet.

[Carlyle Rood]

I think Redanman did a good job on the other thread:

"Anything more than a bar, locker rooms with nice showers and mesh metal lockers (or an open area like GMGC), a place to eat or two is overkill.

A clubhouse can be a central part of a thriving community.  The friendships and comradarie that exists on the greensward can be enriched and ameliorated by a thriving and positive community of neighbors and friends.  The clubhouse can be a catalyst for that.

I'm so grateful that my home club invested in building a new clubhouse to complement its top-shelf golf course.  I love playing 18 holes with my buddies, joining them for a few beers, playing gin rummy in the card room, then washing up and meeting our spouses for drinks and dinner in the clubhouse.  I enjoy eating in the main dining room, watching the sun set over the lake on the 18th hole, walking out on the deck to smoke a cigar, pointing out over the golf course, and recreating the "drama" of that afternoon.

An excellent clubhouse can accentuate a pleasurable round, or provide respite from a disastrous one.  It's an opportunity to extend the enjoyment of your friendly round, or cultivate new friendships with the other daily combatants.

Clubhouses are integral part of golf course architecture and golf culture.  One of the most pleasurable parts of my trip to California a few weeks ago, was congregating in the Monterey Peninsula C.C. to enjoy a beer after our round.  I looked across the room and there must have been thirty gentlemen sitting together in a long row of tables that had been pulled together.  They were joking, boasting, laughing, and needling eachother delightfully.  I thought to myself, now THAT is GOLF!  You can NOT cultivate that sort of comraderie while you change your shoes in the parking lot.

[Jfaspen]

It is 4 hours but I can arrange if anyone wishes to play when down here for the tourney etc.
Mike

How far from Myrtle Mike?  Btw, I read the write up you did on it.  Sooner or later, I do wish to see that course

Jeff

[Steve_Lovett]

The clubhouse at Secession is nice - from the outside...  I drove through on a quick drive by basis last summer...  Given its location - it is a beautifully simple low-country Carolina building.  The cannon in the Auto Court is a nice touch too...

How big is the Secession club?  How many members?  How is it used (dining, grill, lockers/locker room, etc.)?  I saw the caddy building in front - are there carts as well...?

Hopefully next time I'm up to Beaufort I'll have time to take a closer look...

[A_Clay_Man]

Two of the nicest I have been in are at Adios and Shadow Creek. Their openness and subdued interior designs, are  much more appealing, than say, a polynesian looking monstrosity with mango misters.

[Mike_Golden]

Here's one man's opinion-if a private club doesn't have a quality clubhouse it's difficult to get members to hang out after golf.  If members don't hang out after golf, it's difficult to get to know people.  And, if members don't get to know other members, they quickly lose interest in the club and eventually go somewhere else.  You can't use examples such as Cypress Point, GCMC, MPCC, or Pine Valley as the criteria for the 99% of the clubs that have to compete for members.

[Daryl "Turboe" Boe]

It seems the Secession needs to be seen. Mike , How far is it from Athens?

You definitely do need to see it (not just for the clubhouse but for the whole experience)!  However it is difficult to get on (see below).

It is 4 hours but I can arrange if anyone wishes to play when down here for the tourney etc.
Mike

If Mike has the juice to get people on, I would highly reccomend anyone coming down for the Fall Outing make the effort.  It is off the beaten path, but well worth the effort.

How big is the Secession club?  How many members?  How is it used (dining, grill, lockers/locker room, etc.)?  I saw the caddy building in front - are there carts as well...?

Hopefully next time I'm up to Beaufort I'll have time to take a closer look...

Dont know the exact numbers, but I dont think it is very many.  The clubhouse as I recall has a modest proshop a nice area to eat with some good views, and a nice locker are.

The caddies are a nice mix of older experienced caddies and young clean cut men from nearby Parris Island Marine Base, and to the best of my knowledge if they have a cart or two it is only allowed if you have a temporary medical condition that precludes you from walking.  I say temporary because as I understand it if the condition is permanent, then since Secession is a walking only course you are probably a member of the wrong place.

[Steve_Lovett]

Seems to be turning into a Seccession thread.  Forgive me for jumping off topic, but I'll add that if a trip is in the offing, it is worthwhile to spend a little time in Beaufort...  It's a delightful southern town which time and progress has not ruined...

Not to mention that it is conveniently located between Hilton Head/Savannah and Kiawah/Charleston areas - each of which has become somewhat more affected by time and progress...