Case Study: Old Design Versus New

ONTARIO, Calif., April 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Nestled in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains in Glendora, Calif., the Glendora Country Club is one of the country's premiere golfing communities. With a stunning 18-hole golf course, luxurious clubhouse amenities, and spacious outdoor areas, the club exudes a serene atmosphere. The club's management works diligently to maintain an upscale setting that is in keeping with members' expectations. For Eddie Arteaga, food and beverage director, the club's exterior spaces are equally as important as its interior.

"An outdoor dining area, a viewing deck, and balcony above the putting green are all favorite areas for members to enjoy activities, dine, or just gather with friends," he says.

Until recently, despite the beautiful scenery and relaxing ambience, the country club's outdoor furnishings had seen better days. The furniture used in the outdoor spaces had become worn from use, and Arteaga found that members were less inclined to plan luncheons or relax at the clubhouse's patio after a round of golf. He knew that a solution needed to be executed to rectify the issue.

Club management first planned to refinish the outside tables and chairs. The process would involve a costly, fresh layer of powder-coating, yet this did not solve the need to replace the seating cushions. Another problem was the fact that the pebble-tech patio flooring was becoming scratched by the older furniture's rough feet.

Seeing an opportunity to assist Arteaga and his staff, two Glendora Country Club members, Terri Lee Rogers and Doug Sanicola, took initiative and presented a solution to the club's board of directors.

Rogers and Sanicola didn't simply make suggestions as interested club members looking for an improved setting. Rather, they work in the outdoor furniture and accessory business, and they knew replacing the furniture and several fire pits would supply longer term benefits than renovating the existing furnishings.

Sanicola is the owner of Outdoor Elegance Patio Design Center, a retail store that offers outdoor patio furniture and firepits, among other items. He worked closely with Rogers, co-owner of O.W. Lee, an upscale casual furniture and fire pit manufacturer, to provide the club with not only new outdoor furnishings, but also a cohesive design plan for installation and placement.

"Our goal was to recreate the club's outdoor spaces by updating them with new furnishings and accessories well-suited to the members' tastes," says Sanicola. "We began with a careful consideration of the existing physical site, followed by a design plan that would define and harmonize exterior spaces."

Sanicola and Rogers' concept included a selection of tables, seating options, and fire features, which were designed and manufactured by O.W. Lee. For the club's viewing-deck overlooking the putting green as well as for the patio in front of the driving range, an ensemble of furnishings was specified. This included 80 Classico Arm-Chairs integrated with (18) 36-inch-round and 36-inch-square micro-mesh tables. In addition, Classico sofas and club chairs, two Largo Fire Pits, and 12 barstools for a community table provided spaces for members to socialize.

The essence of the design featured chat-style settings, seating areas that created a sense of place. These arrangements were conceptualized to serve as gathering places, where members could sit in circular fashions for visiting with each other.

The selection of furnishings involved a meticulous process of precise measurements and specifications to maximize member use of each new space. Unity of design was a predominant objective to result with a synergistic flow from one area to the next. "Design harmony was achieved by matching appropriate materials and finishes in each of the tables, chairs and fire pits," says Rogers.

The Glendora Country Club also invested in two fire chat pits and deep-seating furniture to encourage members to congregate after dinner. On Friday's, the club offers "Barbeque Socials," in which members can wine and dine together without leaving the property.

The new installation has changed the character of the exterior areas. Members have been spending more time at the clubhouse and the surrounding outdoors. The changes to the lounge areas have multiplied the number of members who spend time at the club. This has resulted in an increase of food and beverage sales, according to Arteaga. Also, the number of weddings and party receptions has risen, because the use of the patio comes as a complimentary bonus. "When showing the property to prospective wedding clients, the new outdoor spaces catch their attention and play a role in their decisions to host their weddings with us," he says.

Arteaga also notes members are planning larger group gatherings for luncheons using the new combination of round- and square-mesh tables, which were installed together to better fit the available space. "The tables' sizes and shapes allow groups to gather more easily in one place while enjoying our views."

With the new furniture upgrades, increased sales and positive encouragement from members, the club's management has recently decided to purchase two more fire chat pits and additional seating. "After seeing the furnishings, several club members have even purchased O.W. Lee-made furniture from Outdoor Elegance for their homes," says Sanicola.

The decision to purchase new outdoor furniture, as opposed to refurbishing the old, has thus far been a huge success for Arteaga. "The Glendora Country Club is known for luxury, and the new installations have yielded a high level of design and comfort for our members," he says.

For more information, visit: http://www.owlee.com, http://www.outdoorelegance.com  and http://www.glendoracountryclub.com.  

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SOURCE The Glendora Country Club