If you’ve ever been inside Denton Country Club, it’s time to stop by again. After significant interior renovations, the clubhouse looks completely different – infused with everything from hand-scraped wood floors to a new double-deck patio to a fireplace in the dining room. And that’s just the beginning.
The recent renovations are the first of several slated for the long-establish country club, which opened its doors at 1213 Country Club Drive in 1922.
Originally a 9-hole course with sand greens on 125 acres, the club closed during the Great Depression and re-opened in 1934. The club closed again during World War II when it was leased to area ranchers for cattle grazing before being re-opened in 1950 as a sand layout. In 1963, the clubhouse burned and new one was built the following year.
An additional 90-acre tract was bought in 1963, allowing for the expansion to 18 holes in April 1969. Since that time, four tennis courts, a member’s swimming pool complete with a pool for the younger set were added. In 1986, a new 20,000-square-foot clubhouse was completed along with major improvements to the golf course with Bent Grass greens, 419 Bermuda fairways and other beautification, according to the website, www.dentoncc.org.
Today, on a drive up to the golf course, new gates and landscaping at the entrance are the first signs that something is a little different at the Denton Country Club.
As you walk into the doors, a granite countertop surrounding the new welcome center to greet guests. Just to the right, a new private meeting room seats about 50 guests. Further to the right in the larger banquet center, new tables and chairs fill the room accentuated with wood ceilings and panels with scenic artwork lining one wall and ceiling to floor windows showcasing the outdoors view on the opposite side.
Walk through to the back dining room and, at first glance, one can’t miss the granite-topped bar where patrons can watch whatever they wish on four large screen televisions. Glance back and a new fireplace beckons with leather seating surrounding it and another large screen flat television flashes the latest news.
On one side, a row of wine lockers – each etched with notable names – hold the latest preferred wines ready to open when the family pops in for a meal. A central wine locker holds a wide assortment available for those perusing the new wine list.
Down a hallway, hand-crafted wood floors catch the eye, leading to private rooms available for everything from family gatherings to corporate meetings. Opposite the hallway through the restaurant is the garden room encased in glass with an unfiltered view of the lake and greenery below the Denton Country Club. The garden room can seat between 20-30 guests.
Outside, a new deck and two-tiered patio offer an opportunity to eat outdoors while enjoying the scenery. Just down the hill is Baker’s Landing, a patio complete with grill built by Austin Baker III for his father.
The work was completed for about $1 million with the help of several board members offering their contacts and assistance to keep costs low. At market, the renovations would have cost at least $2 million, says Club Manager Dean Nickerson.
The menu also has been renovated with Nickerson and the chef working to create such new offerings as filets and fish cooked on a wood-fire smoked grill.
Plans are under way for a new pool and pool house as well as a renovation of the clubhouse exterior, says Clubhouse Manager Dean Nickerson. The exterior work – the second of three renovation phases – will include new landscaping, stonework and more. The pool area, known as phase III, will also include a new fitness center with plans to have the complete pool area finished by next summer, Nickerson said.
With a view unlike any other in Denton County, Denton Country Club overlooks ponds and valleys from almost every window whether you’re stopping in for a meal with the family or drinks with friends or you’re attending one of the many organizational meetings scheduled during the year.
With more than 600 club members, Denton Country Club is the place to see and be seen, not to mention play a full round of golf with friends, colleagues or family.
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