Llanerch Country Club

Blessed with historic architecture and an award-winning golf course, Llanerch Country Club had the potential of being an upscale 21st-century club: hosting events, encouraging casual socializing, and promoting the relaxation of its members.  Over its 100-year history, though, the club had been updated in a piecemeal fashion and was in need of a full design, which is where my team and I entered.

Working with a narrow strip of land between the 18th green, parking lot, and clubhouse, we created an ADA compliant walkway to allow easy access to the Mixed Grille on the Middle Level.  One side of the path is flanked by a low wall veneered with stone salvaged from the clubhouse renovation.  The other side is bordered by an innovative retaining wall product.   Inside the wall’s pockets, we planted a variety of cascading succulents that create the illusion of a green wall up close or garden bed from afar.  The wall supports an open-air patio that can accommodate furniture arrangements for a range of functions as well as a built-in gas fire pit for cool evenings.   Surrounding the clubhouse, we planted a mix of vegetation – shrubs, perennials, and annuals – to generate seasonal palettes and easy-care requirements for staff.  Through our re-envisioning of the patio, pathways, and garden spaces, we were able to bring Llanerch Country Club into the 21st century while continuing to celebrate the historic nature of its clubhouse and golf course.