Exploring 'The Cove' Outdoor Fitness Center at Newport Beach CC

On this episode of the Club + Resort Talks podcast, Rob Thomas speaks with Robin Shelton, PGA Master Professional and General Manager of Newport Beach Country Club, and Bianca Gillett, the club’s Director of Fitness and Recreation. The trio discuss the celebrated club’s newest edition—an outdoor fitness center called “The Cove.”

Gillett shares the space’s unique features and amenities, how it integrates with the existing facilities at Newport Beach Country Club, and what types of fitness programs and classes will be offered. Shelton touches upon construction costs, the expected return on investment, and how “The Cove” will contribute to the club’s member retention rates.

Rob and Senior Editor Phil Keren opened the podcast by talking about Phil’s recent visit to Glenmoor Country Club in Canton, Ohio to cover the Northern Ohio PGA HOPE Cup. PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) is a program that provides free golf lessons to veterans and active duty military service members. In the Glenmoor event, 15 teams, each consisting of four veterans and a PGA Professional, competed in a 9-hole scramble. The winning team was led by PGA Professional Kevin Sullivan and consisted of veterans Tom Brown, Rob Sutton, Jason Wallingford, and Jim Morrison. Special guests at the event were former Ohio State University Head Football Coach Jim Tressel and PGA Professional and TV host Jimmy Hanlin.

Phil and Rob also discussed an enhancement project happening at Brown Deer Park Golf Course in Milwaukee, Wis. Money from the American Rescue Plan Act is being used to fund the construction of a new practice facility that will include a 23,500-sq.-ft. putting green, a 1,500-sq.-ft. practice bunker, and 5,300 sq. ft. of asphalt cart paths. The facility will be located just west of the current driving range near the clubhouse. The project will replace a small practice bunker and a concrete pad from previous years with the new putting green and practice bunker. The existing putting green between the clubhouse and the driving range will remain.

Rob and Phil also highlighted an interesting discovery made by golf course workers at Omni Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, Va. The resort features two classic courses, one being the Old Course, established in 1892 and lined with mature oaks and maples. Throughout the year, workers clear dead and fallen trees, which they chop into firewood for the resort. This routine task took an unexpected turn when a thick piece of oak was split open, revealing two golf balls embedded in the wood. While both balls were encrusted with dirt and sap, one exhibited distinctive characteristics of an antique golf ball, including a square dimple pattern that was popular around a century ago. Further examination by an expert will be needed to learn more. Victoria Nenno, Senior Historian at the USGA Golf Museum and Library, suggested the diamond or mesh (square) pattern most likely dates between 1910 and 1930, indicating it is probably a rubber-core ball.