Nicklaus Clubhouse at Promontory
By Ann Wycoff
In keeping with the spirit of visionary ideas, the latest project at beautiful Promontory is an architecturally significant clubhouse overlooking the property’s Painted Valley Golf Course, designed by Jack Nicklaus in 2007. Scottsdale architect John Sather, who has a long tie with Promontory as the original land planner of the luxury mountain community in 1999, is driving the dynamic project, along with partner Brent Harris. The highly anticipated Nicklaus Clubhouse will sit on a wide-open prairie space; its eye-catching design nods to acclaimed and iconic architect Frank Lloyd Wright and his philosophy of organic architecture. A marvel of glass, natural cut stone, and steel integrated with the land, the clubhouse offers awe-inspiring southern and western views of the serpentine course’s back nine, rolling green hills and snow-tipped mountains afar. Mastermind Sather describes it as, “a place that is intimate but is focused on the hauntingly beautiful views to the hillsides and mountains beyond.”
Managing director Richard Sonntag relays that this contemporary clubhouse is designed for a new generation of golfers, and defies the notion of what a traditional clubhouse should be. “I haven’t seen another clubhouse like this ever. We’re thinking out-of-the-box on this one. The concept of this golf clubhouse is to make it more relevant, so it appeals to the future generation of golfers.”
Ground was broken for the 17,000-square-foot clubhouse in April 2014 with plans for a Memorial Day weekend launch in 2015.
The owners and architects believe the distinctive character of the clubhouse will play nicely off the originality and magnificence of Nicklaus’ course. The Painted Valley Course shines as the second of up to five planned championship golf courses to be completed at Promontory, an expansive 11-square mile private community.
As Nicklaus himself said, “Promontory represented one of the best golf course design opportunities of my lifetime. The site is extraordinary and I was given the freedom I needed to design a masterpiece.” Considered a supreme test of golf, the challenging, 8,079-yard course navigates high meadows and a central moraine of unspoiled beauty with meandering creeks, patchworks of wildflowers, and breath- catching vistas at every turn.
And now, after a rousing round of 18 holes, golfers will be able to retire to the striking clubhouse for craft beers, boutique wines or fine spirits and enjoy savory seasonal cuisine courtesy of Promontory’s acclaimed chef, Kevin Donovan. In addition, Donna Vallone of Vallone Design in Scottsdale will lend her artistic touch to the interior design. The clubhouse, with its modern contemporary, look will feature a charcoal gray, black and beige theme with pops of red. Amenities include a fine dining restaurant, bar, luxe men’s and women’s lockers, and inviting lounge areas with endless views. The golf shop will feel more like a stylish boutique than a pro shop, in keeping with Promontory’s artistic and forward-thinking take on the golf lifestyle.
