a supplement to LINKS Magazine
Preferred Real Estate Firm Of
Experience The Difference With Fite Shavell & Associates The Fite Shavell Loxahatchee team is proud to represent the finest properties in The Loxahatchee Club. Our experienced sales team is committed to providing the highest level of service to buyers, sellers and prospective members. Let our proven team show you the Fite Shavell Difference. Come see The Loxahatchee Club from our personal point of view.
YOUR LOXAHATCHEE CLUB TEAM
DEBBIE DYTRYCH 561.373.4758
561.655.6570
101 N. County Rd., Palm Beach
DAVID FITE 561.847.0187
PAULA WITTMANN 561.373.2666
www.FiteShavell.com 11237 US Hwy 1, N. Palm Beach
561.694.6550
The Loxahatchee Club THE PRISTINE JACK NICKLAUS-DESIGNED COURSE MIGHT BE WHAT ATTRACTS PEOPLE TO THIS UPSCALE SOUTH FLORIDA COMMUNITY, BUT IT’S THE ACTIVE, TIGHT-KNIT MEMBERSHIP THAT KEEPS THEM HERE
T
HE WORD “COMMUNITY” is taken for granted when it comes to real estate developments
COURSE PHOTOGRAPHY BY L.C. LAMBRECHT; CLUBHOUSE PHOTOGRAPHY BY BENZUR
that center around golf. While they’re all called “golf communities,” the word carries a lot more meaning at The Loxahatchee Club in Jupiter, Florida. What community stands for at The Loxahatchee Club is the sense of belonging that residents and members feel and the lasting bonds they have with one another, be they forged through good times at the club, on vacations together, or through shows of support to one another, the staff, or the area at large. To be sure, the Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course and the many great golf events are a huge attraction. Without question, the sub-tropical weather and location in this less-crowded, more natural area of South Florida is another big draw, as is the small size of the development and the variety of real estate offerings that range from $400,000 cottages to $4 million estates. And no doubt, the phenomenal level of service by the long-tenured staff where no request is too big is a major factor for prospective buyers, as well. But what truly makes The Loxahatchee Club exceptional are the people themselves. No one is a stranger at Loxahatchee. “I’ve lived in a lot of different places and belonged to a lot of nice clubs, but the sense of community is
truly unique here,” says Dominic Pileggi, who moved from Memphis with his wife and two teenage children in 2010. “We looked at all the other places in the area, but the members here were so welcoming and friendly that made the difference.” Mary Lynn Putney, who came to Loxahatchee with her husband, Fred, in 2010 from Hilton Head, loves the convivial atmosphere and all the fun they have with other members. “We had a whole list of communities to look at but the people here were so welcoming,” she says. “I asked a friend of mine who lived here if all the people are really that nice and she said, ‘They really are. We all have each other’s back. It’s just that kind of community.’”
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by repositioning greens, adding and removing bunkers and redoing bulkheads. He also softened a lot of the mounding that was in vogue back in the mid-’80s. Today the course is known for its terrific conditioning and marvelous shot values. The 7,147-yard layout can also play entirely different from one day to the next depending on the wind. Water comes into play on many of the holes, but the design leaves plenty of safe routes and bailout areas. The 13th and 15th holes share a double green, while in between is one of the best par fours anywhere, with water running down the entire right side to a raised,
JACK NICKLAUS has built about 275 courses during his 40-plus years as a golf course architect, but he’s only called a few home. The Loxahatchee Club is one of them. The course opened in 1985 and in the early days, members often caught Nicklaus working on the range with his longtime instructor, Jack Grout, who was also a member. Nicklaus has returned over the years to make subtle changes, but the biggest renovation was in 2004. A re-grassing with eco-friendly paspalum and installation of a new irrigation system turned into a redesign; Nicklaus strengthened a few holes
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JIM MANDEVILLE
THE COURSE AND CLUBHOUSE
386-yard 6th hole
angled green. The 597-yard 16th features an island green that has been more than one member’s Waterloo during one of the club’s many tournaments (there’s even a “Jeans” tournament for any woman named Jean). The outdoor Turtle Café that overlooks the 18th hole and the club’s signature waterfall is a perfect place to settle up bets after the round. It was recently reinvented from its original snack-bar design to more of a full-service, covered restaurant that’s popular with members from dawn to dusk when the waterfall lights up and the fire pit crackles to life. The improvement was part of a $5 million renovation that THE LOXAHATCHEE CLUB
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MEMBERSHIP
completely spruced up the interior of the 34,000-square-foot clubhouse. Other dining options include the casual Grill Room, outdoor terrace, and more formal Grout Room, all of which feature inventive menus with fresh local fare. The clubhouse overlooks a fantastic practice facility where members can hit to multiple green targets from either end of the expansive range. There’s also an excellent short-game area and temperature-controlled, stateof-the-art learning center. Another popular golf amenity is the caddie program, one of only about 10 in the area. The 52 caddies add a lot of enjoyment—and help—to any round. And with the tees and greens so close together, the course is imminently walkable, too. Since all the homes are on the perimeter of the course, usually set back behind a lake or waterway, Nicklaus had free reign to design the course he wanted without homesites, streets, or waterways restricting his vision, so he built a core golf course with the walking golfer in mind. No surprise the club received its fourth straight Platinum Club of America Award, ranking No. 6 in golf clubs nationwide in a national survey of club presidents and managers, ahead of such historically prestigious venues as Merion, Shinnecock Hills, and San Francisco golf clubs.
THE MEMBERS at Loxahatchee come from all over the
Northeast, Midwest, and Canada. There’s an Ohio contingent (thanks to Nicklaus), a Michigan contingent, New York, New Jersey, Boston, Philadelphia, Toronto, and Quebec, as well as the Carolinas and Georgia. “Part of the enjoyment of the club is all the different people you meet here,” says one longtime member. “It sounds like a cliché, but people here really enjoy each other’s company. My wife and I wanted something a little smaller, a little more intimate. There’s an understated elegance to it.” Unless you’re talking about the monthly trivia night at the club, then all bets are off. It’s not uncommon to have 200 members show up in the clubhouse for some spirited fun. With about 10 people to a team, the competition can get pretty fierce—in a good way. The key is to get a wellrounded team with people from different walks of life, which isn’t a problem at Loxahatchee. While there are some celebrities and captains of industry who belong to the club, nobody really cares about your status. A love of golf and an inherent sense of fun and decency are the ties that bind members to one another. The logo of the club tells you everything you need to know about the lack of
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Clubhouse and Activities Center pool (opposite)
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pretentiousness. Whereas most clubs have a grandiose coat of arms as their emblem, Loxahatchee’s logo is a jaunty little tortoise with a feather in its cap and a club over its shoulder. (The name is an Anglicized simplification of two Seminole words that mean “turtle river.”) It’s the kind of place where the CEO of a giant corporation can have a long, animated conversation with a small business owner. Members are also involved in many philanthropic causes. Over the years, The Loxahatchee Club Educational Foundation has donated more than $1.4 million in scholarships to club staff and their families and to worthwhile educational organizations in the Jupiter area. “There’s a real giving spirit in this community,” says Mary Lynn Putney, who sits on the board of the foundation. “We really do appreciate our employees. It’s important to give back because we’re part of the community and we should be contributing to the community. I think that for all of us seeing the difference it’s made in these people’s lives and these children’s lives, it feels good. It’s not a difficult fundraising job.”
JUPITER LOCATION THERE’S A REASON why so many PGA Tour pros now
call northern Palm Beach County home, including new residents Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy. Because Jupiter is located east of Lake Okeechobee, the winter weather is a lot warmer—meaning it rarely gets as cold as it does north of the lake. The January average low is 57 degrees, and there’s no need for overseeding since the grass never goes dormant. The population density is also not nearly as great as it is farther south and there are more natural preserve areas. There’s still a sleepy, shorts-and-sandals vibe to Jupiter, yet the area offers all the amenities of a major metropolitan region with West Palm Beach International Airport only a half-hour away and world-class restaurants, shopping, medical facilities, and culture just outside the main gate. The renowned beaches are also close, just two-and-a-half miles away.
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JACK NICKLAUS HAS BUILT ABOUT 275 COURSES DURING HIS 40-PLUS YEARS AS A GOLF COURSE ARCHITECT, BUT HE’S ONLY CALLED A FEW HOME. THE LOXAHATCHEE CLUB IS ONE OF THEM.
434-yard 7th hole
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Preferred Real
202 ECHO DRIVE Situated on a nearly half-acre lot. 3BR/3.5BA, 3758 SF home with den, exercise room plus water and golf views. Marble floors, crown molding and oversized yard with south exposure plus pool. Web ID 3224 $1.875M
100 TERRAPIN TRAIL 216 LOCHA DRIVE One of the only remaining custom estate lots. With rear Custom 4BR/3BA on an oversized lot. Ideal for vacationing SE exposure, this parcel offers golf/water views. Two or full time residence. 14 ft. ceilings and hardwood floors. lots can be subdivided. Web ID 3037 $2.495M Master suite with lake views. Web ID 2938 $1.099M
152 SOTA DRIVE Desirable oversized lot with lake views. Full set of architectural drawings for a custom 3,700 SF estate included. Web ID 2853 $749K
107 SOTA DRIVE Rare opportunity to build your dream home on this Beautiful lake views with a vacant lot and a half. Beautiful lake views with a s southeastern exposure. Web ID 2822 $749K
561.655.6570 561.655.6570 101 N. County Road, Palm Beach 101 N. County Road, Palm Beach
Estate Firm Of
123 ECHO LANE Charming 3BR home on cul-de-sac offers great golf views. Overlooks 16th hole. Lovely outdoor entertaining area. Renovated kitchen. New wood floors. Two car garage with golf cart garage. Web ID 3012 $1.199M
116 TERRAPIN TRAIL Custom 4BR/5.5BA with pristine lake views. Light & bright. Relaxing Florida room with wall to wall sliding doors overlooks pool/spa area. Web ID 3032 $999K
118 WEOMI LANE Immaculate 3BR/3BA home including courtyard with heated pool/spa perfect for entertaining. Impact glass, French doors & marble floors. Web ID 2878 $699K YOUR LOXAHATCHEE CLUB TEAM
104 LANITEE CIRCLE One of the last vacant cottage lots. Build your custom cottage on this parcel on private cul-de-sac. Short golf cart ride to activities center. Web ID 2944 $119,500
DEBBIE DYTRYCH 561.373.4758
PAULA WITTMANN 561.373.2666
www.FITESHAVELL.com
561.694.6550 561.694.6550 11237 US Hwy 1, North Palm Beach 11237 US Hwy 1, North Palm Beach
The recently renovated clubhouse features an outdoor fireplace, grillroom, and elegant lobby.
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REAL ESTATE ONE REASON there’s such a strong sense of
community at The Loxahatchee Club is that there will never be more than 285 homes. The intimate size leads to intimate friendships. “It’s a membership where everyone knows everybody, so everyone feels comfortable coming to the club for events,” says David Fite of Fite Shavell & Associates, the club’s Preferred Real Estate Firm. “The events are always oversubscribed, so everyone really backs the club. And I think there is some joy being with each other. At other communities in the area, the clubs are so big that you don’t know half the people there and members are coming and going. It’s a little more transient. In this club, people come here and they stay for 20, 30 years.” Set on 340 acres with more than 71 acres of freshwater lakes and 40 acres of greenbelt, the com-
munity offers just about any kind of single-family home option possible, so there’s something for everyone. But, of course, prospective clients are buying a lot more than just a new home. They’re starting a whole new way of life. “New residents really feel welcomed and the entire staff knows their
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The Turtle Cafe overlooks the 18th hole.
name,” Fite adds. “It feels like home pretty quickly. A lot of the bigger clubs don’t have the ability to provide that kind of extraordinary service.”
chartering a jet, from monitoring your home in the summer to stocking your kitchen before your arrival, Jeanie Velez and her staff at the Homeowners Association will get it done. “It’s one-stop shopping,” she says. “One of the biggest things is that you don’t have to sit around all day waiting for your plumber to come or the cable guy to come. We’ll do that for you.”
THE STAFF A BIG REASON the staff treats members so well is the respect is reciprocal. It seems that just about every employee has been with the club for 20-plus years, which speaks volumes about how nice the members are in general and what a great place Loxahatchee is. The members treat the staff like family. In addition to the employee scholarships, residents also hold a massive employee giveaway day every other year, donating all kinds of items, from clothes to TVs, that fill up the entire maintenance barn. “It’s a hard place to leave,” says PGA professional Kim Verrecchio, the director of instruction. “I go to another club for a little bit in the summertime, but I can’t wait to get back here. The members are so kind to us. Every life thing that has happened to every one of us, the members know and care about.” So it’s not surprising that the staff will indulge just about any wish. From mailing a package to
OTHER AMENITIES many members can be found working out at the Activities Center, which opened in 2007. The 10,000-square-foot facility features 20 Life Fitness machines, a Pilates area, and Titleist Performance Institute-certified trainers, as well as spa treatments available in three massage rooms. There are also three lighted Har-Tru tennis courts with subsurface irrigation and a lagoon-style heated pool. The club just added a new children’s playground and bocce courts. While the amenities are a lot of fun in and of themselves, they’re just conduits for relationship building. After all, it’s the lifelong friends made at Loxahatchee that is the best amenity of all. ■ WHEN NOT ON THE COURSE,
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WHILE THERE ARE SOME CELEBRITIES AND CAPTAINS OF INDUSTRY WHO BELONG TO THE CLUB, NOBODY REALLY CARES ABOUT YOUR STATUS. A LOVE OF GOLF AND AN INHERENT SENSE OF FUN AND DECENCY ARE THE TIES THAT BIND MEMBERS TO ONE ANOTHER.
NATIONAL AWARDS Platinum Club Award Club Leaders Forum named Loxahatchee the No. 6 best Golf Club in the country.
Distinguished Emerald Club Awarded by BoardRoom magazine, the Emerald Club distinction, focusing on the Member Experience, is bestowed upon the top five percent of clubs in the country.
Epicurean International Award Membership is awarded to 100 restaurants worldwide. 552-yard 8th hole Back cover: 461-yard 3rd hole
JUPITER, FLORIDA theloxahatcheeclub.org F o r a d d i t i o n a l i n F o r m at i o n o r a p e r s o n a l t o u r , p l e a s e c a l l ( 5 6 1 ) 4 2 7 - 1 2 7 0