I had the pleasure of visiting the old Oakland Hills clubhouse several times before it burned to the ground in February 2022. The club now has rebuilt , with a building that looks remarkably like the old one from the outside.
My guess is that the inside does not have as many nooks and crannies as the old one, which seemed to me to be the result of a series of expansions over the years. With the USGA making championship stops over the next decade, the new design inside has no doubt been made with an eye to accommodating all the vast facilities that will need.
The full press release is below:
STANDING TALL AGAIN: OAKLAND HILLS SET TO OPEN NEW CLUBHOUSE FOLLOWING HISTORIC REBUILD
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, March 18, 2026 – The members of Oakland Hills Country Club will walk through the doors of their new clubhouse for the first time this April.
Construction of the new clubhouse was the central component of Oakland Hills’ ambitious “Next 100 Project,” which broke ground in December of 2023. Spurred by the loss of its century-old clubhouse to fire in February 2022, the project will be completed on schedule and on budget ahead of the coming Michigan golf season. Last summer, the Club opened its modernized practice range and a new Greens & Grounds Facility to support its two 18-hole top-ranked golf courses.
The private Club’s new Golf Shop will debut later this month, followed by the clubhouse welcoming members on Easter Sunday, when more than 1,600 are expected for brunch. The following week will feature a soft opening for members, culminating in a Grand Opening Celebration.
The new clubhouse was meticulously planned to be among the world’s finest in both finish and function. Architectural details throughout the building, inside and out, evoke elements of Howard C. Crane’s original design. Standing tall once again is the white, 10-pillared veranda, just steps from the #1 and #10 tee boxes of the South Course, which will continue to host numerous USGA championships in the decades ahead.
“Walking the fairways of the South Course and seeing the clubhouse in the distance once again reminds us how special it is to have one of the finest amphitheaters for golf anywhere in the world,” said PGA Emeritus Professional Steve Brady.
Oakland Hills’ 110-year legacy and championship history are proudly on display throughout the two-story building, which includes member locker rooms, dining areas, lounges, and a grand ballroom, all offering expansive views of the acclaimed South Course.
“This clubhouse reflects the membership’s deep pride in Oakland Hills, honoring our iconic history while boldly investing in a future worthy of it. It is a testament to the commitment of our members and ensures that Oakland Hills remains among the most distinguished and enduring private clubs in the world,” said General Manager and COO Marc D. Ray.
Oakland Hills’ hiring of Ray in the summer of 2025 marked a notable homecoming, as he began his career at the Club in 1998 during its last major renovation and helped put on the United States Amateur and the Ryder Cup Matches.
“These grounds, this membership, our staff, and the entire metro Detroit community are truly special. We could not do what we do without this incredible community and the many trusted partners who support us. We look forward to continuing the legacy of excellence Oakland Hills is known for by serving our members and their guests as we prepare to welcome the game’s greatest championships in the years ahead.”
During a recent meeting with the membership, Club President Michael Costello reflected on the project, saying, “While championship golf has defined Oakland Hills on the world stage, the true spirit of the Club has always been found in the families, friendships, and traditions shared here. Our new clubhouse ensures that sense of community will endure for generations to come.”
Founded in 1916 by Joseph Mack and Norval Hawkins, along with a group of Detroit-area golf enthusiasts, Oakland Hills Country Club quickly emerged as one of the nation’s premier golf clubs. The South Course opened in 1918, followed by the completion of the Club’s original clubhouse in August 1922 and the North Course in 1924. Since then, the South Course has hosted many of golf’s most prestigious championships, including six U.S. Opens, three PGA Championships, and the 2004 Ryder Cup. In 2021, the course reopened following a restoration of Donald Ross’s original design by Gil Hanse and Jim Wagner, returning it to its place among the game’s most revered championship venues.
With seven future championships awarded by the United States Golf Association over the next 25 years, Oakland Hills Country Club will continue to stand among golf’s leading championship venues. Most recently, the Club hosted the U.S. Junior Amateur, won by Trevor Gutschewski, and will welcome the 2029 U.S. Women’s Amateur, marking the 100th anniversary of the 1929 championship at Oakland Hills won by Glenna Collett-Vare.
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