Quail Ridge in LinksLiving Fall 2011

FALL 2011

livingLINKS

he display-case-filled room, tucked

inside the clubhouse, is unassuming,

but speaks volumes about this

private golf community’s primary

passion.

Like most clubs, the memorabilia belongs to mem-

bers past and present. But unlike most clubs, the col-

lection includes one of Sam Snead’s iconic hats, a pair

of his shoes, a glove, and his clubs. The legend’s vin-

tage items share space with Bob Cochran’s 1961

Walker Cup jacket, Claude Harmon’s watch, and oth-

er museum-worthy objects.

All lived and played at the private, gated communi-

ty of Quail Ridge Country Club, located 10 minutes

south of Palm Beach, where they proudly proclaim,

“golf is king.”

That is no stretch considering the impressive ac-

complishments of the club’s members who have

played in the Masters, U.S. Open, U.S. Senior Open,

and Ryder and Walker Cups. More than 100 of the

current members are single-digit handicappers. This

is also the official home of the prestigious Society of

Quail RidgeCountry ClubAfter three decades, this prestigious private clubwith a zeal for golf still sets the standard for the region’s country club communities ABOVE: The 527-yard 4th

on the South courseBELOW: One of 946 residences sprinkledthroughout the community.T

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Seniors that requires its members be 53 or older with

a three handicap and have won statewide or regional

championships. Several dozen of the Society’s mem-

bers nationwide live here.

However, the club’s most remarkable golf story

may be 98-year-old resident, Lt. Gen. Bill Ely, who

has shot his age more than 2,000 times. Ely’s most

impressive round at Quail Ridge was in

2002 when he shot 74 as a 90-year-old.

Despite its distinctive golf heritage, the

club is not just for elite golfers. Players of all

skill levels have an easy time finding a good

game here. (The community is well known

for the friendliness of its members.) Even

residents without golf memberships can play

14 times a year with a social membership.

Quail Ridge, which was created in the ear-

ly 1970s, set the standard for south Florida

country club communities to follow. Being

the forerunner had its advantages. This type

of low-density design isn’t economically fea-

sible to build anymore. With plenty of open

spaces, lush landscaping, and no structure on

the property taller than two stories, the 600-

acre community feels like a park. Or perhaps

a tropical oasis.

Golf may be king here, but flowers are a

consuming passion. This Certified

Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary plants more than

80,000 flowers every year under the direction of their

horticulturist, Sathena Cabler, who has been with the

club since the very beginning in 1973. Along with her

landscaping crew, Cabler is assisted by an enthusiastic

Garden Club that has more than 100 members.

This is a very active community, especially in

ABOVE: The Northcourse’s 9th is a 160-yard par 3.BELOW: The 387-yard2nd on the Southcourse

FALL 20112 LINKSliving

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season. The clubhouse, with dining options that run

from formal to al fresco, is the starting point for the

extensive social scene. Gathering areas, pools, and

barbecues within each of Quail Ridge’s neighbor-

hoods give members even more opportunity to

socialize.

Debt-free and financially sound, the club has been

owned, managed, and governed by its members for

three decades. It also was completed and fully built

out when the membership took over. While fiscally

conservative, they have continually

renewed and improved the communi-

ty, ensuring both its stability and

vitality. The club has rebuilt and

partially redesigned both its golf cours-

es, renovated the clubhouse, added a

fully equipped health and fitness cen-

ter, and remodeled its three-acre, 16-

court tennis complex within the last

five years.

There are 946 residences sprinkled

throughout the immaculately land-

scaped grounds, ranging from two- and

three-bedroom terrace and garden con-

dominiums to custom homes.

Because the community has been es-

tablished for so long and didn’t get into the speculative

market, home prices have remained reasonable and afford-

able. Condominiums start in the low $100,000s and there

are lots of options all the way up to million dollar custom

homes. Sales have continued strong, especially this year.

Just 30 minutes from Fort Lauderdale and an hour

from Miami, Quail Ridge’s location offers plenty of

cultural choices within a short drive. Even closer is

Delray Beach, which after a major renovation now has

a great little downtown, full of interesting shops,

restaurants, and art galleries. The

convenience of Palm Beach Interna-

tional Airport is only 20 miles away.

Whether your passion is golf,

gardening, or gracious living, this

well-established country club com-

munity offers a lifestyle that many

have emulated, but few have been

able to achieve at the same level of

success.

You can see what it is like to be a

member here, with full privileges for

three days and two nights, for just

$399 a couple for lodging, golf, and

dinner. Details are available at

800.884.4990.

livingLINKS

Quail RidgeCountry Club

3715 Golf RoadBoynton Beach, Fla. 33436

800.884.4990QuailRidgeCC.com

SOUTHPAR: 72 YARDAGE: 6,726

YEAR FOUNDED: 1974ARCHITECT: Joe Lee

NORTHPAR: 72 YARDAGE: 7,003

YEAR FOUNDED: 1977ARCHITECT: Joe Lee

ABOVE: The green ofthe signature hole onthe South course, the349-yard 8th, has wateron three sides.

FALL 2011 LINKSliving 3

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QUAIL RIDGE COUNTRY CLUB3715 Golf Road

Boynton Beach, Fla. 33436800.884.4990

QuailRidgeCC.com

The South’s 207-yard 6th hole

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