Forest Lake Club, a member-owned golf club in Columbia, S.C., is approaching its 100th anniversary in a few short years. During its history as a golf club, it has experienced a lot of change. Some things remained the same over the years, including a male-dominated club that was focused on the 18-hole Championship Course that opened in 1929 and/or drinking or eating at the clubhouse lounge and/or no-frills locker room.
The newly completed capital improvements projects, led by Atlanta-based Kuo Diedrich Chi Architect, Hood Construction, and landscape architect Wood + Partners, Inc., have transformed the 44,000-square foot clubhouse with beautifully appointed new upscale dining/lounge facilities designed by Traci Rhoads Interiors. The club’s Lakeside Grille is an indoor-outdoor casual dining facility that overlooks its signature Forest Lake. Mark Diedrich, the architect of this new luxury club dining facility, maximized its “indoor/outdoor” setting with a covered porch, ceiling fans, and walls that opened up to a terrace with lake views.
Other popular Grille features include a double-sided fireside ‘
According to club manager Sean McLaughlin the 140-seat Lakeside Grille with its family-friendly splash pads and fountains and zero-degree entry, underwater seating and a large bar, has contributed to a significant increase in member satisfaction and growth this year. Food and
McLaughlin credits new amenities with driving up initiation fees for 2020 and next year. This has led to a boost in the capital reserve. Forest Lake’s membership, which was previously capped at 1,150, has seen a 16 percent increase in its waiting list to 100 people or four years. This growth is despite the Lakeside Grille being forced to close and only serving takeout until the end of May because of the pandemic. Forest Lake has resumed outdoor dining in the Grille since June. However, they have kept the capacity at 50% out of caution for members. The club also had a very busy summer pool season, with the pool and snack bar numbers exceeding budget. Forest Lake has lost some older golf members, mostly in their 60s, during recent capital improvements. However, they have gained a new generation of younger members, who are less price-sensitive and are willing to pay more for the higher quality F&B. These members have access the the best clubs of the Southeast. We want to surpass these expectations and continue to make Forest Lake Club one of the most sought-after clubs in the region. “
Based on the recent capital improvement projects, Forest Lake Club seems to be in a good position for another 100 years of South Carolina club living.