Out-of-the-Tee-Box Thinking

The Goal: Renovation of the 10th tee concession stand at the Rhode Island Country Club was needed; while the building was functional, it was an eyesore and not serving its full potential.

by C&RB Staff (editor@clubandresortbusiness.com)
April 2008
 

Out-of-the-Tee-Box Thinking The Goal: Renovation of the 10th tee concession stand at the Rhode Island Country Club was needed; while the building was functional, it was an eyesore and not serving its full potential. The Plan: Being a traditional club, it was decided to renovate the new structure so it would resemble the original clubhouse, built in 1895. An outside contractor was hired to design and build the 10th tee structure, now called “The Turn.” The Payoff: The members are thrilled with how another part of the property now evokes the club’s history, as well as with how it has been made a more functional facility that enhances the experience of playing the storied course.

The tenth tee concession stand at the Rhode Island Country Club in Barrington, R.I. was in a terrible state of disrepair, and had clearly become a misfit with the rest of the storied, over-100-year-old club. While the building was still functional, reports Clubhouse Manager Jules Olley, it was not serving its full potential, and had grown to become an eyesore.

The club felt it had two options: Live with the structure, or level it and replace it with something that provided a better fit with the property. They chose the latter.

The picturesque golf course, which had recently been renovated, is a combination of parkland, wooded and seaside holes.

The concession stand, in comparison, was not up to par.

So in October of 2007, the club began construction of a new structure designed to resemble Rhode Island CC’s original clubhouse, built in 1895. The new building, affectionally dubbed “The Turn,” is now used for much more than its predecessor structure could have ever handled—including small outdoor catered functions for golf outings.

In fact, “The Turn” has become a popular destination restaurant for members, subsequently capturing more F&B revenue the club was previously not generating.

“The view from the tenth is stunning,” says Jules Olley, Clubhouse Manager. “We were able to adopt a couple of young trees, and we’ve built an outside grill.”

While “The Turn’s” design is reminiscent of the original clubhouse, it features some modern updates all its own, including a cleverly concealed exhaust system, as well as air conditioning and restrooms.

So Rhode Island CC, which has hosted four USGA championships and is the home of the CVS Charity Classic, now also boasts a much-improved 10th tee concession stand. Its members are thrilled to have recreated an important piece of history in the form of a ­­­more functional facility for its newly renovated course.

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