St. Andrews Country Club, Arnold Palmer Golf Course

Guest (cart included), played on Tuesday, February 2020 at 12:00 PM

St. Andrews Country Club has been a coveted private residential country club for over 30 years, and it’s not by mistake. While it’s true that the club exudes and caters to a certain lifestyle that the majority of us will not attain in this lifetime, it also shows that the Club is on the right track heading into the future. A mere 730 families call St. Andrews home. For a community with 2 private championship golf courses, 14 Har-Tru tennis courts, a newly renovated 10,000+ sq. ft. fitness center and multiple casual and fine dining venues, that’s a pretty low membership number, meaning you’ll have quick and easy access to just about every amenity the Club has to offer.

St. Andrews is not without its share of industry accolades, including recognition as a Distinguished Club of the World, and a Top Ten Healthiest Club in America award. Many consider St. Andrews a “Best of the Best” when it comes to country club living.

The homes within St. Andrews are all one-of-a-kind; no cookie-cutter homes here. All are luxurious and comfortable places to call home; well thought out spaces fit for entertaining, relaxing or whatever you have in mind. Open, original and spacious floor plans built with a passion for detail and superior craftsmanship.

For many, golf is the featured attraction at St. Andrews and it’s no wonder, with 36 holes designed by the iconic Arnold Palmer and Tom Fazio II. Each course will challenge you with rolling fairways, testy water hazards and greens framed by deep bunkers. LPGA professional Morgan Pressel lives in the community and touring professionals such as Phil Mickelson, Ken Duke, John Daly and Rocco Mediate enjoy playing the courses. With such a small private club membership, getting your preferred tee time is a breeze.

St. Andrews also has a Golf Performance Center which is state-of-the-art, with an indoor hitting bay, private practice area, a V1 Digital Coaching System and FlightScope Launch Monitor® technologies and a club fitting area sponsored by Callaway.

The Golf Shop at St. Andrews is filled with state-of-the-art equipment and fashionable, logoed apparel for men and women. Outfitting you in the proper attire is something St. Andrews takes pride in and they offer clothing for other community activities besides golf, whether it’s tennis, working out or just lounging around the pool! Their trunk and fashion shows provide opportunities to discover new styles to keep you looking good as the seasons change.

The Palmer Course presents several stunning vistas as it weaves its way through natural – albeit slight – rolling elevation changes. As you make your way around this layout, you’ll encounter several risk/reward opportunities that will keep you coming back to play again and again. One such hole is Number 9, a Par 5 that plays 479 yards from Blue Tees. This dogleg left features palm trees down the right side and trees, a large waste bunker and water down the left. A good drive down the right side of the fairway will give you the opportunity to go for the green; anything left of the middle of the fairway and you will have to clear a small grove of trees. Hit a good drive off the tee and you’ll have a hybrid or long iron into a long narrow green protected on the left by sand and water.

The second course at St. Andrews Country Club was designed by Tom Fazio II. What was originally named the Olde Course – after all, you can’t have a St. Andrews without having an Olde Course – was totally redesigned by Fazio II and crew and by all accounts is a lot more playable and fun. The visual appearance has changed considerably with new bunkering that is as eye-catching as it is strategic. The cart paths have been upgraded and the playability of the course has been improved making the course more enjoyable regardless of your skill level.

The Olde Course/Fazio II Course renovation was completed in December 2016 as part of a massive $25 million renovation which also included a total revamping of the golf practice facilities. In July of 2018 an 11,000-square-foot world-class spa was completed and includes a salt room, steam room and sauna, several new massage and treatment rooms, manicure and pedicure stations, and a new private make-up and hair area. Expansions of the main ballroom and ladies card room were also made and new outdoor sports amenities were added. In making these improvements to the club and community, St. Andrews is protecting the real estate and investments of its current and future members. The project took over three years and wrapped up last November with a $4 million renovation of the fitness and tennis facilities. The Tennis Center is headed up by former top-10 ranked tennis professional Aaron Krickstein. According to Krickstein, “The new tennis facilities’ redesign reinforces the Club’s commitment to the tennis program.”

The clubhouse at St. Andrews is where everything comes together. This 125,000-square-foot magnificent structure is where everyone goes to enjoy unrivaled food and entertainment. From the panoramic windows of the clubhouse you’ll enjoy stunning views of the fountain lake, herb garden and fairways. During the daytime hours, members enjoy bridge, gin, and canasta in the Men’s and Women’s Card Rooms as well as the occasional guest speaker and cooking classes. When the sun goes down, black-tie affairs, festive holiday parties and charity events become the norm.

As the membership base gets younger, there’s a need to be more family-oriented and the kids are going to love it here! Two bright retro décor rec rooms are home to video game systems, table tennis, billiards and air hockey tables as well as Internet access through several computers. There are also complimentary refreshments and an attendant during the holidays, creating the perfect venue for private parties and ice cream socials.

Many private clubs are judged by the quality of their dining, an area in which St. Andrews surpasses most others. The culinary staff delights in creating a fresh, innovative cuisine designed to enrich the palette. They use abundant amounts of healthy ingredients to create savory dishes, whether you’re enjoying breakfast, lunch, dinner or one of their many themed buffets. Their handcrafted cocktails and excellent wine selection will keep you coming back. Lunches are available as you make the turn on either course or can be enjoyed poolside at Café Blue.

The Gallery is the St. Andrews flagship restaurant and features several rooms decorated in modern art with expansive views of the fairways. You’ll find traditional Italian, Mediterranean, California, continental, and seafood dishes made with freshly picked herbs and locally sourced ingredients. Whether it’s gourmet or comfort food you’re looking for, the talented culinary staff will delight in serving you a savory dish.

When it comes to restaurants with a view, it doesn’t get much better than The Grille at Lakeside. No matter if you’re dining indoors or out, you can gaze out over a glistening lake, lighted fountain, and a one of two finishing holes. The Grille serves up favorites like pasta, pizza, seafood, and salads in a fun, casual setting. An expansive children’s menu makes this restaurant a favorite for family dining, and the separate bar area with its large, flat-screen TV is the perfect place to watch your favorite team. Whether it’s dinner or drinks, The Grille at Lakeside is the spot at St. Andrews to hang out with friends and enjoy the view.