Santa
Maria Country Club’s original clubhouse, built in the 1920s, was consumed by
fire in the early 1950s. Its replacement, pictured at the left, served for nearly
forty years. While there is no truth to the rumor that the
previous
facility started life as a barracks at the Camp Cook army post before World
War II, certainly many members would argue that it had a military bearing —
spare and functional; no one ever described the building as luxurious or elegant.
The
1950s-vintage facility underwent several expansions over its lifespan, followed
by several campaigns for replacement. Finally, in the summer of 1998, members
approved plans for a new multimillion dollar clubhouse.
Because
the new clubhouse will be located on the site of the old facility, members and
staff are currently using a portion of the cart barn, to which a large patio
was added. The limitation of
of
space and facilities has curtailed many social and dining activities during
the construction period. However, both members and staff have demonstrated a
strongly creative pioneer spirit to survive the inconveniences of construction.
Construction
activity began with demolition of the old clubhouse in the spring of 1999 and
is projected to last approximately one year. Occupation of the new clubhouse
in sched-uled for the spring of 2000. Once the club-house has been completed,
the cart facility will be demolished to clear the site for the new swimming
pool.
In
the meantime...
Before
