Traditional elegance the norm

Traditional elegance. That’s the best way to describe the newly

reconstructed clubhouse at Mesa Verde Country Club -- a $7-million,

4,200-square foot project which is transforming the club.

Visitors see a difference as soon as they drive up with about a

half dozen pine trees, spaded off the golf course, transplanted in

the front entrance.

The main dining room is wide and expanded farther out than the old

one, providing stunning views of the golf course. A fireplace at the

entrance of the upper-level dining room is the centerpiece of the

two-tiered main lobby area.

“The concept (of the new facility) lends heritage to the whole

golf course with its richness and landscape,” said Paul Anderson of

the architectural firm (Marsh & Associates) that reconstructed the

clubhouse. “I wouldn’t want to categorize it ... (the project’s new

look) is driven by the placement of the sites, the views and the

colors surrounding the landscape. The overall design intent is to

bring out (the club’s) heritage and richness.”

Added Mesa Verde General Manager Kim Porter: “It’s elegant, but

still like home.”

The browns give the inside a warm feeling, while the abundance of

windows allows onlookers to indulge with myriad views. There are new

balconies, as well, including outside of the spiffy banquet room

(formerly the Tony Lema Room), which could become Orange County’s

next hotspot for weddings and receptions.

“We’re booking weddings now,” Porter said. “We’re booking weddings

like crazy. Once we’re up and running, we’ll be hopping ... it’s

tough to beat the views.”

Especially at sunset.

The newly constructed clubhouse at Mesa Verde lends itself to the

ideal setting for a cool ocean breeze, an endless sunset and the

comfort of a classic, yet warm environment, nestled high above the

golf course’s landscape.

“It doesn’t have the feel of a huge structure,” Anderson said.

“It’s an atmosphere more like home ... the intention of our firm was

nothing monumental. We just wanted a good, comfortable, functional

golf course clubhouse, while also trying to take advantage of the

views.”

The old clubhouse, built in 1959, had a patio and balcony, but few

members ever sat there, because was ocean breezes were a little too

chilly. Now, with the main dining room pushed farther out, it blocks

some of the wind on the balcony adjacent to the banquet room

(capacity 250).

The clubhouse also complies fully with state and federal handicap

codes. It didn’t before.

The Olympic pool and diving pool are also out at Mesa Verde,

replaced by a family friendly pool (which is open for lap swimming).

That same pool area down below near the pine trees, and views of the

golf course, will be the wedding courtyard. The stairs leading up to

the banquet room will set up as wedding-photo friendly.

One of the most storied golf clubs in Orange County, Mesa Verde

hired the same architectural firm that built the clubhouse at The

Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe, an exclusive club with reportedly a

$250,000 initiation fee.

Mesa Verde has always resonated as a picturesque coastal Orange

County country club with one of the most refreshing natural elements

in the history of mankind -- an ocean breeze -- but its legacy comes

from having hosted a county-leading 12 professional golf tournaments

from the PGA Tour, Champions Tour (formerly the Senior PGA Tour) and

LPGA Tour.

The tree-lined, 6,726-yard golf course with narrow fairways and

plenty of teeth has also played host to a U.S. Open Regional

Qualifier (1973), the U.S. Junior Girls Championship (‘93) and the

Junior Girls America’s Cup (2001).

The course proved challenging for the LPGA Tour players during the

Kemper Open (1979-’81) and Uniden Invitational (1984-’86). In the

first Kemper Open, Joanne Carner won a five-way playoff with an

aggregate score of 2-over-par. Despite having almost all of the top

30 money leaders competing each year, no pro broke par for the entire

four-day tournament for any of the three Kemper Opens or the first

Uniden Invitational. In 1985 and ‘86, the LPGA Tour increased par

from 71 to 72, resulting in the first under-par winners.

The real estate at Mesa Verde, built by golf-course designer Billy

Bell in 1958, was once inhabited by an ancient civilization of

Indians and later became part of the great Rancho Santiago de Santa

Ana. Father Junipero Serra visited the area, enjoying a welcome

retreat from his journeys. The small adobe casita he occupied still

stands on a lofty knoll a short distance away from the golf course.

*

The list of early committed players for the Toshiba Senior Classic

at Newport Beach Country Club (March 17-23) includes defending

champion Hale Irwin, Tom Watson, Tom Kite, Fuzzy Zoeller, Gary

McCord, Lee Trevino, Ray Floyd, Ben Crenshaw, Dave Stockton and Lanny

Wadkins. Bruce Lietzke, who has never competed in the Toshiba Senior

Classic, has also committed this year. Tickets: (949) 660-1001.