Old Style Club Under New Management
Linwood Country Club is one of the Atlantic City region’s oldest, and most venerable, private golf clubs, but 2018 was a year of new beginnings for the nearly 100 year-old club. Linwood Country Club is a classic, old style golf club that has a new lease on life under brand new, and locally raised, ownership.
Linwood Country Club’s new ownership group is led by brothers Frank and Joe Dougherty. Owners of the iconic Dock’s Oyster House, Harry’s Oyster Bar and the historic Knife and Fork Inn, the Dougherty family is a fixture in the Atlantic City food scene. Family and community and are the focus at Linwood C.C.
“We’re locals with strong ties to the community and a vested interest in seeing Linwood Country Club succeed,” said Frank Dougherty. “Our vision is to enhance the experience for existing members, attract new members and provide unparalleled event space to make Linwood Country Club the top event destination in the area.
“The club has the potential to be the premier private golf club. There’s a real opportunity for change within the food and beverage program, which is our specialty.”
PGA Teaching Professional Devon Peterson teaches putting to Miss America Pageant contestants at Linwood C.C
Linwood Country Club has several affordable membership options, including social memberships starting at just $100. This price point, along with extensive renovations, have attracted hundreds of new social members. The clubhouse underwent the majority of these renovations in 2018. A stunning 5,500 square foot Grand Ballroom accommodates up to 300 guests and features an elegant staircase from the Bridal Suite. Arched windows frame the view of the course and the bay against the Atlantic City skyline. The addition of a dramatic two-story foyer and a luxurious Bridal Suite make Linwood Country Club’s Ballroom one of the premier wedding venues in the area.
Improvements to the golf course and locker rooms are on the tee for 2019.
“We are very excited about the Doughertys’ plans for the property,” said club president, David Gardner. “We are looking forward to working together to write the next chapter for the historic club.”
New P.G.A. Director of Golf, Jeffrey Bonicky and lifelong P.G.A. Teaching Professional and mentor Devon Peterson are hoping to help write the next chapter of Linwood Country Club on the golf end with new Superintendent, Ryan Tretter. A prior assistant at two of America’s most important clubs, Oakmont and Pine Valley, Tretter brings his considerable greens keeping skills and unique knowledge to maintain and improve upon the classic 1920s Herbert Strong layout. The course, a mostly parkland course with links holes similar to neighboring Atlantic City Country Club and Seaview’s Bay Course, has been an area favorite, and rival to ACCC and Seaview, the Shore’s two oldest golf courses, opened in 1897 and 1914, respectively, for going on 99 years.
“Linwood is a great old course with a great history and great members,” said Bonicky. “This is a family golf course with many members’ families going back two, and sometimes three, generations. Our goal is to make Linwood Country Club a place for more families to join, enjoy and grow for generations to come.”
