Inside Influential Prestige Private Clubs
In an increasingly detached digital world, a sense of common ground has never felt more profound. Members’ clubs succeed as a prime example of the affinity economy and its lingering place in American life. Whether under the guise of golf, yachting, skiing or equestrian, members-only clubs give us a meaningful “third place” to invest in our social capital. Bonus points for convivial clubhouses and enviable lifestyles.
Private clubs remain a sharp validation of the social sanctuaries they provide. Suddenly, an inner circle—and an inner sanctum—became most vital and desirable. One highly coveted manifestation of this is Moonlight Basin, a membership club and community that offers the rare symmetry of rugged Montana, robust social conviviality and unsurpassed sporting pursuits from world-class skiing and golf to a wide variety of all-season outdoor activities. Moonlight Basin recalls life in the authentic mountain West, a place where time stands still and soulful adventure is part of daily life.
Moonlight Basin has emerged as a gold standard bolt-hole for the wealthy. This 8,000-acre private members’ ski and golf enclave adjacent to Big Sky Resort is bordered on three sides by protected lands. The newest club amenity, LakeLodge, includes 3-Forks Restaurant and Bar, a retail shop, fitness center, indoor 3-point basketball court, indoor climbing wall, golf simulator, ski and boot storage, outdoor pool and two hot tubs. Tee off at The Reserve, the beloved 18-hole Jack Nicklaus-signature golf course and clubhouse. The Signature Membership level includes reciprocal access to Spanish Peaks Mountain Club’s legendary 18-hole Tom Weiskopf golf course at Big Sky, where you could run into members Tom Brady or Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel.
At the nation’s most storied links, Augusta National Golf Club, old school members such as Warren Buffett and Bill Gates have rubbed shoulders with Washington power brokers for decades. That was then, so what’s the most coveted tee time invite in 2024? Michael Jordan’s new private golf club opened under a shroud of mystique in 2019 in Hobe Sound, adjacent to Jordan’s Florida home. Indeed, the stories around the secretive Grove XXIII have already become the stuff of legend—think the biggest names in entertainment and sport. Part of the growing enigma is that Jordan swears his members to secrecy. The one perk that guests can’t help posting to social? Video clips of the club’s drone delivery service dropping cold beer and nibbles to players mid-round have surfaced online. Hello Air Jordan!
While members may be drawn to the enviable Scottish-style links at The Abaco Club, they double down for the destination, after every family member and friend swoons for the views at first sight. While the club’s 18 holes remain the centerpiece amenity, the property sits on one of the most stunning locations in the entire Bahamian archipelago, owing to the exclusive, heart-shaped Winding Bay Beach, with its average water temperature of 79°F and powder-soft white sand. When it comes to captains of industry mingling over magnums of Moet and Maseratis, The Abaco Club offers members meaningful events that add value to the esteemed club’s social fabric. The décor pays homage to a noteworthy period of the island’s history from the late 1700s to the 1970s with its Neo-British Colonial style.
New developments like The Cays beachfront villas lead the way forward through purposeful design, while the Abaco leadership team innovates signature member experiences. The Founder’s Room is one of the most in-demand perks, with direct access to a private garden and accommodating up to 14 people for intimate gatherings. There’s an endless array of appealing ways to make the most of belonging: feasting at The Abaco Club’s four locally-sourced dining venues, or taking advantage of the spa and fitness center, tennis, pickleball and basketball courts, water sports, fishing and boating excursions. Little wonder members are so passionate about their beloved club, where the pace of daily life slows down, and the golf cart is the preferred mode of transport. Perks extend beyond its shores; members receive reciprocal privileges at all of Southworth Development’s award-winning private club communities, with each location offering its own distinct personality, amenities, golf course and accommodations. The Abaco Club members also gain access to The Executive Golfer Collection of more than 100 private clubs throughout the U.S. Memberships start at 150K, and there’s currently a waitlist.
Founded in 2012 in San Francisco, The Battery Club offers diverse programming like penthouse sound baths, wine tastings and country-themed dance nights. Designed by renowned interior designer Ken Fulk and located within a 58,000-square-foot former marble factory in the Financial District, the Battery boasts four bars, a restaurant, wine cellar, library, roof garden, wellness gym and a spa. There are also 14 guest rooms, including a penthouse with panoramic views of the Bay Bridge. Silicon Valley elites birth new businesses here; this is the advantage of private clubs in this era, they spark avenues to meet your next co-founder, investor, or advisory board ace. This is the enterprise of making business pleasurable. Just as Soho House goes truly global with Tel Aviv and Canouan locations, The Battery Club is doubling down on the Bay Area, developing an outpost in Oakland with its acquisition of the former Bellevue Club’s six-story Lake Merritt clubhouse. Further afield, Battery co-founders have established an alliance which grants members access to comparable clubs in 14 countries.
The most marvelous new amenity at The Battery? The world’s largest cheese cart lives here. Resident cheese curator Brandon Hicks guides diners through a rotating collection of 100 on any given night, pairing fromages and wines like a conversation between close confidantes. The theatrics of his presentation is a journey in itself, as every cheese on the cart evokes a story. Tasting the rare Vacherin Mont d’Or is euphoric, while the Sbrinz paired with honeycomb is ethereal. The Basque-style Vermont Shepherd between sips of tempranillo is a revelation. The Battery Club, with its eclectic blend of cultural events and culinary delights, epitomizes the spirit of innovation that defines the Bay Area ethos.
The timeless allure of members’ clubs stands as a testament to the enduring importance of genuine human connection. These exclusive enclaves, whether nestled in the rugged tranquility of Montana or gracing the sun-kissed shores of the Bahamas, serve as sanctuaries for those seeking respite from the frenetic pace of modern life. Each club offers its members a blend of luxury, camaraderie and bespoke experiences that transcend the ordinary. The bonds forged within these hallowed grounds endure far beyond the fairways and clubhouses. In an era where genuine connections are increasingly elusive, private clubs offer a rare opportunity to escape the noise of the world and savor the simple pleasures of friendship, fine dining and shared conviviality.
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