7 minute read
Design + Renovation
Covering a Lot of Ground
Pavilions provide a designated outdoor venue for golf tournaments, weddings and other special events.
By Pamela Brill, Contributing Editor
MANAGERS, TAKE COVER. As a surge in outdoor acti viti es envelops clubs nati onwide, so does the demand for spaces in which members can dine and socialize. And that has translated into a deluge of acti vity outside the clubhouse, where pavilions and covered pati os are popping up on campuses all over.
With 2023 promising more bookings for wedding recepti ons and catered aff airs, faciliti es that off er additi onal venues for hosti ng private parti es and bring the party outdoors are popular with members and guests. And with more clubs understanding the value that these events bring not only to their bott om lines, but to their reputati on in the communiti es, permanent structures in lieu of temporary tents demonstrate a club’s true commitment to long-term member sati sfacti on.
TOWHEE CLUB
Spring Hill, Tenn.
Brian Gordon, General Manager
CLUBHOUSE CONSISTENCY
At Towhee Club in Spring Hill, Tenn., members are whistling a happy tune as they enjoy the newly opened Birdsong Social dining facility and open-air pavilion. It’s all part of a clubhouse renovation that ties in both spaces and appeals to a variety of members. “Towhee Club and Birdsong Social are designed to provide a place where both golfers and non-golfers can come together to socialize and enjoy a sense of community,” says General Manager Brian Gordon.
Having debuted in mid-2022, the 3,600-sq.-ft. pavilion serves as a multipurpose facility that hosts golf tournaments, weddings, corporate events, viewing parties and member get-togethers. The club hired Franklin, Tenn.-based architect firm Consortium to create a well-balanced layout: a clubhouse containing a pro shop and contemporary dining, along with an event pavilion that extends a similar look and feel. “We wanted a permanent structure that would cohesively work with the clubhouse located steps away to create a uniform, consistent aesthetic among the buildings,” explains Gordon.
The pavilion’s open-air style permits unobstructed views of the 18th hole, while a combination of timber-framed wood cladding and full-depth stone provide visual contrast for the space. Adding to the casual vibe is the rustic, modern farmhouse décor that helps set the scene for carefully laid out amenities, including bocce ball courts, horseshoes and community firepits. Concrete flooring requires little to no maintenance, and because the pavilion is naturally exposed to the elements, no HVAC is required.
During the planning and construction of this space, designers were confronted with supply chain issues that temporarily hampered the project’s execution. Gordon credits the team for practicing patience and readjusting their plans to meet timing demands. Following its mid-year opening, the pavilion quickly gained purpose and has since hosted several golf tournaments, including Brandt Snedeker’s Sneds Tour for youth golfers in Middle Tennessee.
Looking ahead to spring, Gordon expects Towhee Club to expand the pavilion’s usefulness beyond the green. He hopes to receive comments similar to the positive feedback already heard from golfers, parents and tournament hosts alike.
“We look forward to beginning to host non-golf events such as birthday parties, reunions and wedding receptions at the pavilion now that the clubhouse and restaurant are fully open,” he says.
River Bend Golf & Country Club, Great Falls, Virginia
DESIGN AND ARCHITECTURE FOR PRIVATE CLUBS & HOSPITALITY
ROLLING MEADOWS GOLF COURSE
Milford, Kan.
— Tim Stedman, Clubhouse Supervisor
PRAIRIE PAVILION
Sweeping prairie vistas set against the backdrop of eastern Kansas’s Flint Hills is the perfect setting for a new event facility at Rolling Meadows Golf Course. This past fall, the Milford, Kan. facility unveiled a 3,500-sq.-ft. open-air pavilion that has already shown strong potential with its membership.
“The course was in need of a space to properly host tournament events, announcements and award presentations,” says Clubhouse Supervisor Tim Stedman. While events were traditionally held around the clubhouse, Rolling Meadows lacked a dedicated structure. When choosing between a pavilion or a tent, the desire for a permanent event spot superseded any other considerations.
To incorporate the pavilion into the course’s existing layout, designers found the perfect location: between the first and 10th hole tee boxes. The structure itself meshes well with the wideopen natural space; a concrete slab and steel structure—with no surrounding walls—is topped off by a 12-foot roof at the peak. “LED lighting and three large fans provide a comfortable, well-lit space even in the heat of the Kansas summers,” notes Stedman. Floors are either swept or power washed on a weekly basis to keep the space in mint condition.
Prior to construction, Stedman admits that membership was initially somewhat skeptical about the project going forward.
“Members were generally concerned about cost and functionality, but after using it for tournaments, they have definitely enjoyed the pavilion,” he says. In fact, since its opening, the club hosted a leadership council meeting in the pavilion. Approximately 30 people were in attendance and enjoyed drinks and snacks in the al fresco function space.
To further promote the pavilion’s usefulness in 2023 and beyond, Stedman is planning to connect with local wedding coordinators and photographers. And while no bookings have been made as of yet, he expects that to change quickly in the months ahead. “The pavilion will be used primarily for hosting tournaments, receptions after tournament and for anyone who wants to rent it out for events, such as weddings, graduation parties and small concerts,” Stedman says. “The options are aplenty.”
GREENBRIER GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB
Lexington, Ky.
—Angie Doyle, Membership Director
THE GOOD LIFE
Later this month, members at Greenbrier Golf & Country Club in Lexington, Ky., will be able to sit back and relax outside at a just-completed covered patio, which is part of a larger renovation. The club’s 16,500-sq.-ft. lifestyle center, which includes a fitness/wellness center, golf simulators, casual dining and bar area, extends its amenities outdoors in response to member demand.
“We surveyed members and they were asking for outdoor dining spaces both during and post-Covid, so we already know they wanted the new area,” says Membership Director Angie Doyle.
Providing connectivity to the pool deck (next to the practice tee), short game area and lifestyle center, the 864-sq.-ft. patio replaces a kitchen that previously serviced the pool area. The cozy spot now enables members to enjoy postworkout refreshments, snacks while on the practice tee or a dinner by the firepits. Seating for 40 (with an extra 35 in the uncovered area) ranges from high-top bar stools, to casual lounge and dining chairs positioned around circular tables.
Designed to mesh with the adjoining lifestyle center, the covered patio features an extended roofline with brick piers that support the surrounding perimeter.
“All sides of the patio can be enclosed using a Magnatrack screen, which will limit 95 percent of airflow and precipitation, providing shade and warmth to be more comfortable in all seasons,” says Doyle, pointing out the addition of permanent infrared heaters and ceiling fans. Televisions and music speakers will provide added entertainment, while a sizable NanaWall that opens to the inside will enable guests to interact with those seated at the bar.
Following the mid-November soft opening, Doyle expects Greenbrier’s lifestyle center and patio to be a big hit.
“Its proximity to the pool and practice areas will sell itself,” she predicts. “It’s going to be a very popular area; we can’t wait to see the finished product.” C+RB
