Golf course as part of The Lookout Mountain Club
Two historic institutions, the Lookout Mountain Golf Club and the Lookout Mountain Fairyland Club, jointly announced the closing of a merger to combine the two private clubs into one entity called The Lookout Mountain Club.
Both clubs were originally part of the tract of land in Lookout Mountain, Ga., developed in the 1920s by Rock City Gardens founders Garnet and Frieda Carter as the resort community of “Fairyland.” The 18-hole, world-class golf course was designed by renowned American golf course architect Seth Raynor in 1925. One of only 35 remaining courses in the United States designed by Mr. Raynor, it is also the last course he designed before his untimely death in 1926. It is also the only course he ever designed on a mountain, giving it the unique character of being both an inlands and links course. Known and respected as a true golfer’s golf course, its challenging holes and sweeping vista views make it a favorite among veteran and amateur golfers alike, said officials.
Similarly, the Fairyland Club has been a beloved community institution since originally opening its doors in 1926 as The Fairyland Inn. Once upon a time, it too had a golfing attraction, as the site of the original Tom Thumb golf course in America, known today as miniature golf. Perched on the scenic Eastern brow of Lookout Mountain and nestled among giant boulders, its stately Tudor clubhouse is a popular venue for weddings and special events, and offers dining, swimming, tennis, fitness and year-round social amenities to its members.
“Given the clubs’ close proximity to each other and our complementary amenities, it just made sense to combine the two into one,” said The Club’s Co-President President Will Kline. “Members of both clubs saw the benefits of combining our strengths and voted overwhelmingly in favor of the merger."
“We believe it’s a real win-win, not only for our members, but also for the entire community,” echoed The Club’s Co-President Andy Pippenger. “Rather than competing for members, we can now offer something for every member of the family to enjoy, all within one club.”
In order to stay relevant to today’s members, private clubs across the country have had to constantly evolve, by adding more family-friendly amenities that appeal to all ages and interests, said officials. Trends include more casual dining and event spaces, outdoor venues, state-of-the-art fitness facilities and more recreational offerings. The Lookout Mountain Club is able to provide this array of amenities and is positioned for future generations of members.
There are two classifications of membership: Full, for full club privileges, including golf; and Regular, for all amenities except golf. Within those two main classifications, there are also sub-categories of membership, with dues and fees based on age and place of residence, as well as a deferred payment plan for initiation fee payments.
“We share a common vision to elevate The Lookout Mountain Club to a whole new level and to become one of the preeminent private clubs in the Southeast, all while continuing to offer a great value for our current and future members,” said Mr. Kline. “Together, I am confident we will be able to reach that goal.”
Swimming pool as part of The Lookout Mountain Club