With an innovative leadership team in place and a renewed dedication to providing an unrivaled member experience, the private, member-owned Raritan Valley Country Club (RVCC) is enjoying an exciting resurgence. The club, a fixture in Somerset County since 1911, recently embarked on an extensive golf course bunker restoration and is modernizing its facility, enhancing its dining experience and introducing an array of new social events for members of all ages.
“We want families to reimagine the country club lifestyle,” said RVCC’s Chief Operating Officer Ryan Dionne, who is supervising the revitalization project.
In 2016, the club completed a greenside bunker renovation on its 18-hole, H.H. Barker-designed golf course. RVCC’s new Golf Course Superintendent Rich Tacconelli, whose resume includes stints at Pine Valley Golf Club and Merion Golf Club, is restoring top-notch playing conditions to the course’s fairways and greens. Tacconelli and his maintenance team have upgraded the course’s irrigation system and incorporated modern equipment into its agronomic practices.
The club boasts an array of golf tournaments and programs including the popular Thursday night co-ed, nine-hole golf league that attracts close to 100 members each week. This season, RVCC will introduce more opportunities for junior golfers and will add more special member events. In addition, the club recently purchased a golf simulator giving members the opportunity to improve their skills year-round.
RVCC’s tennis facility boasts four, newly resurfaced Har-Tru tennis courts and its first-class tennis program offers leagues, clinics, and lessons. Also, RVCC is the only private country club in the area to offer two squash courts.
“We remain continually committed to improving our facility and adding new member amenities and experiences,” said RVCC Board of Governors President John Moore.
With that in mind, RVCC is remodeling the clubhouse’s Board Room, better accommodating today’s business needs. The club will install improved teleconferencing equipment as well as new décor that will convey a professional setting within the country club atmosphere.
The club is taking open-air entertaining to a new level with the installation of an awning over the clubhouse patio. Also on the patio, the club built intimate fire pits surrounded by cozy lounge furniture. A large screen television is being added this spring giving members the opportunity to enjoy a full season of outdoor relaxation and entertainment.
The club’s culinary team led by Chef Filomena is introducing seasonal rotating menus in the dining room and pub lounge. RVCC’s wine program, one of the most active on the East Coast, will again offer its popular wine dinners throughout the year.
During the summer months, many RVCC children flock to the club’s exciting day camp. Camp Raritan Valley is a full-day program that features arts & crafts and special theme days as well as group tennis, swimming, and golf instruction. The club’s pool, with an active youth swim team and adult water aerobics classes, becomes the social center for club families in the summer. In 2017, the club will offer enhanced poolside drinks and dining, making the RVCC pool a “resort-style” experience.
In 2017, 15 new events will debut on the club’s already busy social calendar. From the introduction of a “Margaritaville” party and a “Swine and Dine” golf event to daylong trips and dinner/dancing events poolside, RVCC members will have fun 365 days of the year.
There has never been a better time to become a member at RVCC. To learn more, contact Membership Director Heifa Perry at (908) 722-2000 ext. 207 or email her at membership@rvcc1911.org. “Like” the club on Facebook and follow RVCC on Twitter and Instagram (@rvcc1911).
