Newport Beach Country Club has been recognized as the Clubhouse of the Year by Golf Inc. in 2017. This prestigious accolade reflects the club’s commitment to providing a home away from home for its more than 900 members, offering a state-of-the-art facility with a wide range of amenities and a welcoming, gracious atmosphere.
The new 56,000-square-foot clubhouse has transformed the club from a golf-only destination into a full-service, family-friendly venue. Members now enjoy fitness facilities, aquatics, dining, and banquet amenities that cater to a broader range of interests.
Designed in the California Coastal Craftsman style, the clubhouse exudes casual sophistication. The architecture is dominated by stone, crafted wood, and detailed interior finishes, incorporating a variety of native plant materials. The building site was elevated to maximize the panoramic ocean views, with verandas and patios that seamlessly flow from dining and meeting rooms, creating an indoor-outdoor feel that takes full advantage of Newport Beach’s year-round climate.
“The architect encapsulated our goals by creating a building that’s the opposite of stuffy,” said Membership Director Clint Cook. “The floor-to-ceiling windows allow a lot of light into the building. It’s open and airy.”
Zack Bates, CEO at Private Club Marketing, who oversaw the membership sales and marketing during the clubhouse construction, shared his perspective on the project’s success: “Our goal was to create a clubhouse that not only met the functional needs of our members but also exceeded their expectations in terms of design and amenities. We focused on integrating sustainable practices, ensuring the building was not only beautiful but environmentally responsible. The positive feedback and increased membership demand are testaments to the success of this vision.”
The interior design features cedar and softwoods with extensive gable roof overhangs. Natural color plaster was used on the interior walls to avoid painting, and the building exceeds California’s stringent energy-usage requirements by approximately 10 percent. This is achieved in part by using a “cool” roof with extra-thick insulation and LED lighting. Additionally, water from the site is channeled via continuous landscaping features to a bio-filter system, and all clubhouse landscaping is irrigated with 100 percent reclaimed water.
Cook noted that the feedback from members has been overwhelmingly positive, generating renewed enthusiasm for the club. “When I started here five years ago, we had 10 to 12 names on a list of members wanting to sell their memberships,” he said. “Now we have 50 names on a waiting list to join.”
Newport Beach Country Club’s transformation and its recognition as the Clubhouse of the Year highlight its dedication to excellence and member satisfaction, setting a new standard for private clubs worldwide.
