Gorgeous new clubhouse for Baywood Greens now open
August 6, 2004
One of the more successful marketing plans for public golf course owners is to recreate an upscale private country club experience for daily fee golfers willing to pay for it.
This view greets golfers looking past the 18th hole toward the clubhouse.
Owner/developer Rob Tunnell has now completed most of the required elements for this goal, with the recent opening of Baywood Greens’ fabulous new clubhouse.
The 28,000 square foot facility beautifully complements the popular Long Neck golf course, and is a welcome addition to the recreational and dining opportunities in the Cape Region.
I met recently with head golf professional Brian Barrows and food and beverage director Paul Oliva for a tour of the clubhouse. They are justifiably proud of their new digs.
The Atlanta architectural firm of Tunnell-Spangler-Walsh & Associates designed the structure, and the Whayland Company of Delmar oversaw its construction. Building began in the late spring of 2003 and finished sufficiently to be opened in mid-July. Landscape work continues all around the clubhouse.
Barrows said, “The Fire Marshall and the County were here on July 14 and gave their final approvals. We opened it up the very next day.”
A new access road off Route 24 leads to a distinctive entrance to the new building, with a wide, protective gable roof over the drop-off area at the front entrance. The foyer is dramatic, with a pair of beautiful wood stairs sweeping up to the second floor. Just past the foyer to the right is the new pro shop, which at 1200 square feet is twice the size of Baywood’s former shop. In the center of the first floor beyond the foyer is a dark wood-paneled library, reminiscent of old-line clubhouses such as Pine Valley and The Lodge at Pebble Beach. It would be a great meeting room for a small group.
“Signatures” is the name for the clubhouse’s main dining room, adjacent to the library. Oliva said the inside dining area now seats 44, with outside dining space on the adjoining porch set up for 48 more patrons. Oliva said they serve an “upscale American family fare” menu, with current offerings such as Veal and Crabmeat Piccata, Oriental Salmon, and Filet Diane. Entrée prices run from $13 to $27.
The restaurant opens at 7 a.m. for breakfast, followed by lunch and dinner. A light fare menu is also available from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Barrows took advantage of the new building’s dimensions and significantly expanded his offerings in the Baywood pro shop. Golfers can choose clubs from Mizuno, Titleist, Calloway, and Cobra, and Barrows also said, “I can special order everything.” He’s also selling a wide variety of colorful clothing lines, gift items, and shoes, along with a large selection of Baywood Greens memorabilia.
It’s a short walk from the pro shop to the locker rooms, which are the equal of any private country club I have ever visited.
The banquet facility on the second floor can accommodate 240 people, with room left over for the dance floor and a live band. There’s room for even more, if the portable dance area is taken up. The spacious room looks out over the golf course’s 18th hole, and dividers can split the area into 1/3 and 2/3 of the entire space. They already have their first wedding scheduled for early September, and I predict they will soon see a brisk business from Cape Region brides and grooms.
The clubhouse is topped by a crows nest, accessible by a circular staircase. Those willing to make the climb are rewarded with a great view of the property.
Baywood Greens’ new clubhouse boasts a beautiful, broad porch overlooking the 18th hole.
Although the entire building is simply stunning, I’m most impressed by the veranda that stretches across the entire backside of the first floor, and then some.
The porch is deep and very nicely furnished. Strategically-placed ceiling fans supplement the breeze for porch visitors, who will easily give in to the temptation to sit and watch other golfers finish their rounds.
The new clubhouse is a tremendous addition to an already remarkable layout, and should help produce some fond memories for Baywood’s patrons.
And, of course, fond memories lead to repeat customers.