Wednesday, June 28, 2017

The Triple Play at Applecross: Something for Every Member

(DOWNINGTON, PA) — Applecross Country Club, the Greater Philadelphia’s first Nicklaus Design golf course, debuted in 2010 and has emerged as one of the area’s most innovative and progressive country clubs. For 2017, the club is celebrating yet another series of milestones with three great new member facility improvements coming online this season.

1. The grand opening of the golf clubhouse
2. A renovation of its Trego dining facility to include three distinct dining venues
3. The new sport court area at the Grove Amenity center

Located less than 40 minutes from Philadelphia in Downingtown, Applecross CC is a residential country club community featuring a broad array of first-class club amenities, including a Nicklaus Design golf course on which Michael Nicklaus served as lead architect.

The golf course at Applecross weaves through the Chester County countryside providing a unique-to-the-area experience for golfers, blending magnificently into landscape that boasts breathtaking views of sparkling lakes and rolling countryside. Wetlands and water features grace the surroundings of 14 of the holes.

In addition to its signature golf course, the club boasts a series of amenities unmatched in the region. Members can enjoy the Oasis Bar along with a 10,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art fitness center, indoor pool and Jacuzzi, resort outdoor pool area with Junior Olympic swimming, kid’s splash pad, basketball and tennis. The club’s sprawling amenities are professionally managed and offer a host of specialty programs and personal training.

Milestone No. 1 — The Golf Clubhouse
The Nicklaus golf course goes to a new level in 2017. The three-level, state-of-the-art clubhouse is expected to greatly enhance the club’s golf experience.

The sprawling new Golf Clubhouse is approximately 15,000 square feet; with gracious outside deck spaces providing the framework for a destination that meets any golfer’s needs. Located at ground level, the men’s and ladies locker rooms provide a haven before and after a round, with convenient access to cart staging by the 19th tee. On the main level the pro shop and a deck overlook holes 18 and 19, and represent the place for everyone to get their round started right.

Designed around the success of the “Crow’s Nest” at Mid South Club in Pinehurst, this adult’s only lounge features a full-service bar, casual seating and its own private deck overlooking holes 18 and 19. Food service in the Eagle’s Nest includes a timeless menu of snacks and bar style food to help make the end of a round as memorable as the fun on the course. Stair and elevator access conveniently connects all three levels of the clubhouse.

The stunning new Applecross golf clubhouse was designed by Structural Design Associates located in Downingtown. Andrew Sheerer, the principal of SDA, and his team brought an immense amount of experience along with a hands-on and comprehensive approach to all aspects of the project. www.structuraldesignassociates.com

Managing day-to-day construction for the Applecross Clubhouse was in the hands of Chris Yates and his firm Innovative Building & Remodeling. Chris was 24/7 on the job coordinating the various trades and working through the immense amount of field decisions that go along with a job of this nature. www.innovative-building.com

Milestone No. 2 — Country club dining for every taste
Side by side with the new Golf Clubhouse is Tregos, the club’s dining facility, which received its own renovations this season to provide a unique dining space for families, pub-style dining and a special niche for wine lovers.

Family Dining and Kids Wii/Xbox Lounge - Family dining at large community style tables is a centerpiece of the Applecross dining experience. Recently renovated, the club’s four-season garden pavilion at Tregos plays host to regular family dining with multiple Xbox/Wii play stations. Complimentary fresh popped popcorn, beanbag chairs for the kids and a host of other family friendly touches make this a regular spot for the many families of Applecross. The club’s recent Xbox tournament was a big hit with more than 50 families competing.

The family dining area was a must-have program element from the inception of design. “Having a distinct family dining area is an important feature,” said Applecross General Manager Gregg Russell. “We know how challenging it can be sometimes to take the family out and keep the kids occupied while mom and dad can finish their dinner. The ‘Wii Room’ was first deployed at our sister club, Talamore, and it has been a huge success. Applecross’s new family dining and fun zone takes that original concept to a new level. It is extremely popular with all the families at Applecross.”

Comfortable and Casual Dining in the new Bar & Grill — Moving to another section of the club’s expansive dining facilities is the Casual Dining Bar and Grill. Booth seating, hi tops and a comfortable bar make this a great place for casual club dining.

And for the wine aficionados — Set for an early July opening is a new Member Wine Locker program, where members can store their own wine at the club and dine in quiet comfort at yet another dining venue. The Wine Bar is also located in the Trego dining facilities building. “We have quite a few members who share a passion for wine and wanted to have their own special spot and unique touch. Our new Wine Bar and Wine Locker program gives them just that,” said Russell.

Milestone No. 3 — All bases covered
The Grove amenity area of Applecross received its own expansion with a new sport court area. The custom design features shuffleboard, tetherball, four square, hopscotch and half-court basketball. Weight lifters at the club’s fitness center can shoot a few quick hoops after their workout with the convenient location of the new basketball court. And for kids, the club got a special hoop that can be lowered to 6 feet, which was just right for the Memorial Day Weekend Slam Dunk contest for kids.

Three great milestones — One simple approach
“The general goal is simple,” said Russell. “We have a diverse membership and want to provide a unique and comfortable spot for everyone. Our ‘triple play’ of new member enhancements this year takes huge steps to meet that goal and vaults our club to a new level.”

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