Twin Cities / Metro
*This archived article was originally published in Summer 2004.
Golden Valley Golf and Country Club
A private club with public meeting space? What better for an exec retreat, board meeting or employee reception?
BY PHOEBE LARSON
The Golden Valley Golf and Country Club sits back off of a curved road, a standing memory of the days of tennis whites, argyle and gentlemen’s clubs. Beneath its gabled roof, the feeling is reminiscent of a Napa Valley winery, with its arched entryways and rich, dark wood interior.
This Golden Valley retreat was the first golf club in Minneapolis, said John Sullivan, director of sales and catering. Originally opened in 1914, the club was completely torn down and rebuilt, the new building completed in May of 2001 with a total of 62,000 square feet. History states that after a difference of opinion, a group of golfers broke away from the club and went on to found the Minneapolis Golf Club. The Golden Valley Golf and Country Club still remained, however, supported by those who stayed. Today, it thrives with an active membership, new golf facilities, an expansive catering unit and spacious new event facilities.
Private golf clubs tend to bring to mind a feeling of exclusivity reserved only for those who pay their way. Despite its stately appearance, the Golden Valley Golf and Country Club is open to the public for a wide range of events, galas and corporate golf outings. "It was a reflection of the sign of the times and our ability to offer another option for off-site meeting space to the greater Minneapolis area," said Sullivan. "We have some of the top financial institutions in the Twin Cities using our facilities," he said.
Old Traditions, Modern Amenities
Old school traditions still reign at the club. Men have a private gentlemen’s room with their own bar that women use only for passing through to their own private women’s room and bar. Still, modern amenities run throughout the club, such as digital high-speed Internet dial-ups and digital analog phone lines. A conference services manager is also on-site to help with technical needs. "We have full-service, state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment and capabilities for a full production event," said Sullivan.
The club is unique in its catering capabilities as well, housing a double kitchen – one for member dining and one for banquet needs. Preparing and serving meals for 500 guests is never a problem, and each meal is guaranteed served hot. The club can host up to 750 people for a reception and up to 500 people for a plated or sit-down function.
Staff is available to help with every angle of meeting planning. Two full-time banquet captains oversee a staff of 40 and will meet one-on-one with planners to accomplish individual group needs. The staff is willing to work with outside vendors to accomplish unique requests in theme and décor.
"We held our annual party at Golden Valley Golf and Country Club," said Linda Werth, administrative manager for Virchow Krause and Company. "We asked them if we could do a casino night and they took care of working with the casino company to get it all set up the way we wanted it," she said.
A Gourmet Flair
Food at the Golden Valley Country Club is truly gourmet. Plates are large and geometric and flavorful sauces are painted across them like décor. The menu is expansive and offers choices for any type of eater and dieter. Executive Chef Matt Murphy developed a menu that includes a variety of fresh salads, entrées and desserts.
For breakfast, planners can choose from a variety of brunch options and buffets, depending on the size of their group. A variety of theme buffets are offered as lunch options. Gourmet sandwiches and salads are also available. Dinner buffets are available for groups of 50 or more. The club also plays host to frequent wine dinners and offers an extensive wine list.
In-house catering is provided for all events. Banquet captains are willing to help customize a menu for a particular event. Werth was pleased with the menu and service provided for her company’s holiday party. The staff accommodated her request to have extra tables set up at the last minute and provided four selections of entrées. Staff circled the room with plates of hors d’oeuvres chosen from an appetizer list pages long, said Werth.
Prime Real Estate
Golden Valley Golf and Country Club’s location makes it an ideal venue for planners. Not more than 15 minutes from downtown Minneapolis, the club still offers a quiet retreat and privacy. A free parking lot directly in front of the building allows for up to 300 cars. Additionally, it’s a one-stop shop. The staff prides itself on going out of its way to attain the experience required by clients. Werth was so happy with the outcome of her company’s event that she plans to use them again for her company’s upcoming holiday party.
"The whole thing is about the experience," said Sullivan, "and the experience is a world-class event facility complimented by excellent dining."
