May 21, 2019
Rob Thomas | Club and Resort Business
The historic club in the Philadelphia area has opened a new restaurant venue—the 1906 Grille—and added a stone patio for al fresco dining.
A state-of-the-art fitness center was added, as was a golf simulator lounge to offer year-round social and instructional golf experiences.
The Olympic-sized swimming pool and kids’ pool have been resurfaced, making the water-activities area a significant focal point of the club’s family lifestyle.
Philmont Country Club—a private club in the Philadelphia suburb of Huntington Valley, Pa. that was founded in 1906 and is home to a championship golf course originally designed by architect Willie Park Jr. has completed a multi-faceted, $5 million renovation. The restoration work, which touched nearly every part of the club, has introduced contemporary influences on the historic property while reinforcing the casual luxury lifestyle and family focus important to its expanding membership.
C+RB reported on the beginning of the project in 2017.
While maintaining the classic exterior of the 1925-era clubhouse, the interior redesign of the 80,000-sq.-ft. complex resulted in the creation of a new dining venue—the 1906 Grille—and a fresh restyling of the Founders Room, ballroom, and lobby lounge. A new stone patio extends from the clubhouse looking toward the 18th green, allowing members to dine and socialize al fresco.
Renovations were also made to the golf shop and men’s and women’s locker rooms. A state-of-the-art fitness center was added, as was a golf simulator lounge, to offer year-round social and instructional golf experiences.
The Olympic-sized swimming pool and kids’ pool have been resurfaced, making the water activities area a significant focal point of the family lifestyle that is a priority at the “new” Philmont Country Club. Additionally, the club has eight Har-Tru tennis courts and four pickleball courts for racquet-sport enthusiasts.
“The vibrancy of Philmont County Club is very apparent today,” said Rick Burkardt, General Manager.
“Word has spread about the club’s significant makeover and we are happily welcoming new members, as well as returning former members. They are discovering today’s enhanced lifestyle experiences.”
The latest golf-course renovations at Philmont Country Club complement the transition of two long-standing Philadelphia-area layouts into one 18-hole championship course, with a three-hole practice loop. Philmont’s North Course, which debuted in 1923, showcases the design of architect Park and was built by William Flynn. Over the years, the North Course has played host to many of golf ’s historic names, including Ben Hogan, Gene Sarazen, and Sam Snead. It also served as a venue for the Nike (now web.com) Tour and as a qualifying site for U.S. Open and U.S. Amateur Championships.
The renovation of the North Course was completed in 2018 by golf architect Andrew Green. Working closely with historical data, Green redesigned and repositioned the bunkering throughout the layout, to meet the demands of the modern game. He also crafted a new 18th green relocated to the right of the previous hole location.
The new three-hole loop consists of a par 3, par 4 and par 5, all designed to be fun for families and friends. The updated North Course is expected to continue as a USGA qualifying site and host to many Golf Association of Philadelphia events.