Wabeek Club

ADDING LIFE INTO THE COUNTRY CLUB LIFESTYLE

By Robbyn Moore

The new owners at Wabeek Club have poured more than $7 million into renovations throughout their establishment, including the pool, banquet hall, dining room, fitness area and locker rooms. With a contemporary modern feel that’s comparable to an experience in Miami or LA — right in the heart of Oakland County — the club is taking the country out of country club and adding life into lifestyle.

While the clean, new look attracts young professionals and families, the 180-acre golf course, designed by Jack Nicklaus and Pete Dye, have remained a timeless staple to the club’s legendary golf experience. “When we think back to the original founders of Wabeek Club, it’s easy to understand the potential they envisioned when designing this pristine course,” Membership Director Laura Barrick said. “From rolling hills and towering trees, it’s a ‘Pure Michigan’ golf community at its finest.”

The new investor group, led by Joe Barbat, envisioned and then created a warm, friendly environment where all club members could experience an elevated level of service at any touchpoint throughout the establishment. In 2019, a complete renovation to the 45,000-square-foot clubhouse added a modern twist to the original 1972 look and feel. The private event space can host intimate gatherings as well as large groups up to 400 people with floorto-ceiling window views of the golf course and customizable menus.

“Whether a member is looking for a casual lunch from the grill or an elegant, date night dinner, W Club spared no expense,” Laura shared. The impressive food and beverage service is available throughout its entire location, offering healthy menu choices during all seasons. “Coming later this winter, we will launch a new five-star restaurant called Tribu, with an executive chef who is a culinary master,” Laura said.

The resort-like pool offers members a getaway feeling that rivals any luxury vacation without the hassle of leaving the neighborhood. Other additions include a year-round golf experience with two state-of-the-art TrackMan golf simulators and a new fleet of golf carts featuring GPS technology. “W Club has maintained its legendary pro-level greens that are challenging for all skill levels from beginner to advanced,” Laura said. “We’ve also invested in our staff of professionals who are PGA certified, courteous, knowledgeable and family-friendly.” The club offers weekly men’s and women’s leagues as well as junior golf camps and clinics.

With a focus on healthy living, W Club has spa-centric locker rooms with a steam room and sauna, and fitness programs that include private training and group classes. Moreover, their multipurpose sports court and turf can host minicamps, social events and youth programs, and offer families endless opportunities to play basketball, volleyball and tennis. The 2,500-squarefoot fire-pit lounge area is available for added fun to any social occasion.

“Over the years, W Club went from a member-owned club to a privatelyowned club,” Laura explained. “The recent change in management allowed us to update the space while still maintaining the integrity of the club that the original founders had envisioned when they designed the pristine course.”

W Club hopes to become a top 10-rated private golf course in Michigan and further expand its youth programs, including adding a summer camp program. “We are confident we will continue to elevate ourselves as the premier club in the area and expand our membership to increase capacities for both memberships and events,” Laura said.

“Our club is the perfect setting for any networking opportunity as our members are all business owners, successful professionals and leaders in the community,” Laura shared. “W Club provides a social atmosphere that mixes a multidemographic group of likeminded and affluent individuals. We are very proud of this melting pot creation within our community of members.” W Club also offers corporate memberships as well as event space for small-to-large gatherings or open house events.

Since 2019, the club has seen a significant growth in their membership, with golf membership at almost capacity and a tentative waitlist for the 2021 season. “There is something for everyone in the family here,” Laura said. “With all the activities we offer to our members, W Club is more than just a golf course — it’s a lifestyle.”

For more information about Wabeek Club, call 248-855-0700 or visit wabeekcc.com.

Sponsor Spotlight: Laura Barrick