Palo Alto Hills Golf and Country Club (PAHGCC), a 60-year-old family-oriented, member-owned club nestled atop the lush rolling hills of the Arastradero Preserve with sweeping views of the Bay Area. The club is proud that its membership is comprised of 600 multi-cultural members who are reflective of the diversity of those living and working in Silicon Valley. Members and guests enjoy 30,000 rounds of golf annually, a robust tennis program, competitive and recreational swimming, fine and casual dining, a full-service spa and a state-of-the-art fitness center. Although PAHGCC has arguably the most picturesque course in the area, competition is stiff with five clubs in a 10-mile radius. What sets them apart? PAHGCC has earned an unparalleled reputation for its focus on innovative family- and youth-oriented programs and events. The term “family-friendly” doesn’t really do them justice.
Engaging the Whole Family
In 2009, PAHGCC’s members drove and funded an extensive renovation that expanded the youth and family facilities and, since then, youth programming has really exploded. The renovation included a garden that was initially planted by the kids; it has since been expanded by the executive chef and is a regular source for kitchen ingredients and farm-to-table dinners. The garden’s resident bee colony provides honey that the executive chef harvests and incorporates into the club’s menus for all members to enjoy. With the exciting new facilities, the club leadership held steadfast to a new commitment to youth programming that has proven to keep current members engaged and attracts new families.
“Engaging the children and teens of our members has really been a priority for our leadership because it increases the value of the membership for young families and gets the kids involved in the sports and activities that will create lasting memories and keep them coming to the club for years to come. Not to mention that parents can feel good knowing their child is well taken care of while they enjoy other club amenities or dinner and drinks,” said PAHGCC Membership Director Paula Provoznik.
Something for Everyone
The club experiments with creative and innovative events for the whole family as well as kids-only activities. They have enticing kids’ fare on menus throughout the club, a playground, a kiddie pool and dedicated kids’ zones and family areas to ensure that all ages feel welcomed and accommodated. The club has more than 800 children, with more than 500 enrolled in various youth programs.
In addition to one of the top junior golf programs in the Bay Area, kids enjoy junior tennis, recreational and competitive swim teams, summer camps, and a full calendar that includes all the traditional holiday activities such as the much-anticipated Halloween Fair and popular Earth Day celebration. Attendance is strong at regular Friday movie nights, flashlight scavenger hunts, laser tag, golf activities, camping adventures on the golf course, teen activities and dances, the tween Amazing Race, game nights, and parents’ night out activities. Club leadership continually seeks feedback from the members and their kids to ensure they are hitting the mark.
PAHGCC’s family-friendly culture is a big part of its identity. Provoznik explains, “Happy families are vital to our future and focusing on the entire family unit—not just the men—is the key to success. We have staff dedicated to youth programming and the entire club staff is versed in the balancing act between the traditional golfers and the high energy that comes with young families.”
Staff creates new events while traditional club favorites are reinvented every year to keep things exciting and relevant. All youth activities are priced to cover variable costs while remaining reasonable and often priced less than similar activities offered elsewhere in the Bay Area.
Dedicated Space
The club has dedicated space for kids to safely enjoy the club and behave like kids. The Youth Room is a popular lounge for children ages 7 and older. After attending an orientation session, kids can play and hang out in the Youth Room without parents but remain under the watchful eye of staff. Kids come by and can hang out with friends, do homework, watch movies, play games and test their foosball, pop-a-shot basketball and Wii skills.
The Kidz Club is another area designed for the safety, comfort and entertainment of the club’s youngest members, ages 1 through 7. It is outfitted with age-appropriate toys and members often bring their little ones in on weekend mornings when the club offers supervised care so parents can fit in a workout, tennis lesson, some golf or a spa treatment.
Having some freedom and autonomy is, of course, the goal for most kids. Kids can order food poolside with full-service attendants during summer. Once children reach 14 years old, they can complete an orientation that enables them to have full access to the fitness and spa facilities. At 16, children can drive to the club and enjoy all the amenities of the club. And one of the greatest pleasures for the club is to see the college kids returning on school breaks to enjoy the club and to seek summer employment where they feel at home.
According to Provoznik, “Our 600 members chose Palo Alto Hills because they appreciate the culture we have here. Our family-friendly vibe spurs our social membership sales: As the club began accommodating families more and more, more and more families started coming.
“Our membership helps define the programs that our demographic is looking for. It’s a collaborative effort between our membership and committees to identify and promote the activities that appeal to a broad group,” Provoznik explained.
“Being a member here means you have a variety of sports and leisure activities in an elegant and refined environment, but you can bring your kids with you and all have a good time. This culture and age-inclusiveness is one of our best assets.”
Club Trends Winter 2019