Four years after massive fire, Oakland Hills unveils new clubhouse

Bloomfield Township — More than four years after a massive fire ripped through and destroyed one of the most historic and recognizable buildings in golf, Oakland Hills Country Club's new clubhouse is finally and officially open to the membership.

Club officials formally unveiled the new, 110,000-square-foot clubhouse Monday, with a guided tour for members of the local and national media.

The new clubhouse, built to be a replica of the old clubhouse, down to the 10 stately white pillars on the veranda, but with updated amenities and infrastructure, cost more than $100 million and was paid in part by a large insurance payout as well as through membership assessments.

"This clubhouse reflects the membership’s deep pride in Oakland Hills, honoring our iconic history while boldly investing in a future worthy of it," said Marc D. Ray, Oakland Hills' general manager and COO, this month.

"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."

The new clubhouse, visible from all throughout the grounds of the historic South Course, features a two-level men's locker room, a bigger women's locker room, three kitchens, ballrooms, dining rooms, a cigar room, outdoor balconies, lounges and more. The new clubhouse has a hall of history, with artifacts from the club's storied past — many of which were saved by quick-acting firefighters and club staff during the Feb. 17, 2022, fire.

There's also a fitness facility, a lifestyles building and maintenance facility, and an upgraded parking lot at the clubhouse, located south of Maple Road and east of Telegraph Road.

The old clubhouse was about 90,000 square feet and built in 1922, and was celebrating 100 years when it was destroyed by the fire, caused by a propane torch being used by workers on a patio construction project. The old clubhouse hosted some of the area's most prominent movers and shakers, the greatest golfers ever, and even United States presidents. Oakland Hills had a temporary tented facility that served as a member gathering and dining facility for the past few years, as the new clubhouse was being built. Ground was broken in December 2023.