Oakland Hills to Open Rebuilt Clubhouse to Start a New Historic Run

    Just a few months shy of 100 years old in 2022, the world-renowned historic clubhouse at Oakland Hills Country Club was destroyed in a fire that not only took the building in whole, but a majority of the historical paintings, trophies and other golf memorabilia trapped inside.

    That terrible moment in the club’s history has been replaced with a new, rebuilt clubhouse that will open to all its members on Easter Sunday for brunch, when more than 1,600 people are expected for the historic opening. The following week (of the Masters) will feature a soft opening for members, culminating in a Grand Opening Celebration.

    Construction of the new clubhouse was the central component of Oakland Hills' ambitious ‘Next 100 Project,’ which broke ground in December of 2023. Spurred by the loss of its century-old clubhouse to fire in February 2022, the project will be completed on schedule and on budget ahead of the coming Michigan golf season. 

    Last summer, the Club opened its modernized practice range and a new Greens & Grounds Facility to support its two 18-hole top-ranked golf courses. The private Club’s new Golf Shop will debut in late March.

    The new clubhouse’s architectural details throughout the building, inside and out, evoke elements of Howard C. Crane’s original design. Standing tall once again is the white, 10-pillared veranda, just steps from the #1 and #10 tee boxes of the South Course, which will continue to host numerous USGA championships in the decades ahead. The next such event will be the 2029 U.S. Women’s Amateur, marking the 100th anniversary of the 1929 championship at Oakland Hills won by Glenna Collett-Vare. Most recently, the Club hosted the U.S. Junior Amateur, won by Trevor Gutschewski.

    “Walking the fairways of the South Course and seeing the clubhouse in the distance once again reminds us how special it is to have one of the finest amphitheaters for golf anywhere in the world,” said PGA Emeritus Professional Steve Brady.

    Oakland Hills' 110-year golfing legacy and championship history will once again be proudly on display throughout the two-story building, which includes member locker rooms, dining areas, lounges, and a grand ballroom, all offering expansive views of the world-acclaimed South Course.

    “This clubhouse reflects the membership’s deep pride in Oakland Hills, honoring our iconic history while boldly investing in a future worthy of it. It is a testament to the commitment of our members and ensures that Oakland Hills remains among the most distinguished and enduring private clubs in the world,” said General Manager and COO Marc D. Ray. 

    Oakland Hills’ hiring of Ray in the summer of 2025 marked a notable homecoming, as he began his career at the Club in 1998 during its last major renovation and helped put on the United States Amateur and the 2004 Ryder Cup Matches. “These grounds, this membership, our staff, and the entire metro Detroit community are truly special. We could not do what we do without this incredible community and the many trusted partners who support us. We look forward to continuing the legacy of excellence Oakland Hills is known for by serving our members and their guests as we prepare to welcome the game’s greatest championships in the years ahead.”

    The South Course opened in 1918, followed by the completion of the Club’s original clubhouse in August 1922 and then the North Course in 1924. Since then, the South Course has hosted many of golf’s most prestigious championships, including six U.S. Opens and three PGA Championships. Recently, in 2021, the South course reopened following a restoration of Donald Ross’s original design by Gil Hanse and Jim Wagner, returning it to its place among the game’s most revered championship venues.

    During a recent meeting with the membership, Club President Michael Costello reflected on the project, saying, “While championship golf has defined Oakland Hills on the world stage, the true spirit of the Club has always been found in the families, friendships, and traditions shared here. Our new clubhouse ensures that sense of community will endure for generations to come.”

    To read more about the saving from fire of golf artifacts history at Oakland Hills, go to our exclusive story from April 2022 with all the details: https://www.migolfjournal.com/featured-stories/a-rush-to-save-history