For the Continental Country Club in east Flagstaff, community extends beyond the neighborhood. As the only public golf course in the city, the club wants to be a family-friendly hub for residents to dine, play and entertain.
After the homeowner’s association of Continental Country Club successfully voted to raise dues in order to make improvements to the facilities, the community’s big plans for the club are immediately coming to fruition.
First, Bobby Zweifel has been hired as the club’s new general manager. Splitting his time as the general manager for both the Wyndham Flagstaff and the Continental Country Club, Zweifel is making developments move quickly and affordably.
Key developments include a new restaurant, a new approach to the golf pricing structure, a golf ball vending machine and a new events venue.
Taverna Owner Creates Restaurant and News Atmosphere
Replacing Jakes on the Green Restaurant and Bar, local restaurateur Ryan Field, owner of Taverna Mediterranean Kitchen and Field House Chicken and Waffles, recently opened the Oakmont restaurant, the Oak Bar and The VENUE.
“We opened up Taverna about six years ago on the west side of town and have had really good success there,” Field said. “Then we decided that Flagstaff could use another niche restaurant, so six months ago we opened the Field House, which is Southern-style chicken and waffles. Then, the country club approached us after we opened the Field House and said they were going to have an opening over at the clubhouse. They were going to let local restaurateurs put a bid in for the space and pick whichever one had the best concept.”
With plans to completely transform the space, Field and his team gutted the restaurant to create a blank canvas. He did not only want to create a new restaurant, but give the country club a new atmosphere entirely.
“[The country club] is a destination, and we really wanted to bring back a comfortable, neighborhood restaurant that was very approachable and has different venues to accommodate a lot of different types of people,” Field said. “We didn’t want to go super modern or super rustic, so each room or venue kind of has its own particular piece that kind of lends itself. But, overall, it’s not a real ‘snooty’ country club feel. It’s meant to be casual, comfortable, but also upbeat.”
With natural light flooding in from the wall of windows facing an incomparable view of Mt. Elden, The Oakmont is designed to be cozy, fresh and vibrant.
“We wanted to keep it somewhat natural, so we’ve got a lot of woods, steel and custom lighting,” Field explained. “We don’t want to overpower the view, which is the most important thing to this property.”
While the design is a popular topic of conversation, the food is expected to be a hit, too.
Field’s younger brother, Jared, is the executive chef at all of his restaurants. The brothers wanted The Oakmont and Oak Bar to serve modern American food with a twist. Their most popular dishes are the Bacon Lucy Burger – a bacon-and-cheese-stuffed burger with lettuce, tomato, grilled onion and smoked paprika aioli – along with Lobster Tacos and Prime Rib Nachos.
Field wants the Oakmont and the Oak Bar to be a go-to place for residents on the eastside of Flagstaff.
“We’re here to serve everyone on the eastside,” Field said. “That’s our number-one target. We want everyone over here to feel comfortable and we want it to be a place they feel they can bring their friends and family.”
Krista Renning, the director of sales and marketing at Continental, sees the Oakmont as a great addition to the club for all parties involved.
“It’s a win-win for everyone,” Renning said. “The restaurant owners get a great location and our residents and the Flagstaff community get a great restaurant.”
Renning also believes the addition of a private function venue will be a huge advantage for the residential community. Without a designated event space, the restaurant and clubhouse frequently had to close to cater special events.
“Having the private function room is huge,” Renning said. “We now have space for up to 125 people in the VENUE, and then outside on the patio we can fit 200 people.”
New Features for the Fairway
In addition to a new restaurant, Continental Country Club also hired a golf consulting company to look for more ways to improve services.
“When we passed the assessment campaign, we were able to hire OB Sports,” Renning said. “They’ve really come in and helped us improve our golf services. We’re redoing the driving range, and we will have a vending machine that distributes golf balls, so you just use your credit card and the balls pop out.”
The course also will have new extended hours and special Happy Hour pricing.
Flagstaff residents can also take advantage of exclusive locals’ rates through the High Country Card. For $99, golfers in Coconino County can enjoy a complimentary round of golf, bucket of balls and a logoed hat, and then be eligible for discounted golf for the rest of the season, including at other OB Sports-managed facilities.
Plus, families looking to use the club’s facilities without being a resident of Continental Country Club can do so by becoming a “Social Member.”
“If you don’t live in Continental Country Club, but want to use our amenities, we offer a social membership,” Renning said. “For $600, families can use our facilities, including our pools, miniature golf, pickle ball courts and more.”
The club is also looking to create more youth programs, including a junior golf league and tennis team, which will be open to the public. FBN
By Maria DiCosola
Flagstaff Business News
For more information about Continental Country Club and Golf Club, visit continentalflagstaff.com.
