Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, Oakland Hills Country Club’s gleaming-white clubhouse has been rebuilt and restored to its former glory, with familiar architectural inspiration that harkens back to the structure that stood for more than a century before burning to the ground four years ago.
Leaders at the 110-year-old club in Bloomfield Township provided a guided tour of the new clubhouse Monday, April 27, emphasizing some of the new structure’s features while also highlighting the club’s championship history.
“What stands behind me is new, but what it represents is timeless,” said Marc Ray, general manager and chief operating officer. “This clubhouse was not simply rebuilt, it was reimagined with intention, guided by history and inspired by the generations who came before us. Every space, every detail, every line was designed to honor our past while welcoming the future.”
That future includes the seven U.S. Golf Association championships the club is scheduled to host through 2051, including U.S. Opens in 2034 and 2051, and U.S. Women’s Opens in 2031 and 2042. Paired with Gil Hanse’s recent $12 million renovation to the championship South Course, Oakland Hills is now at the forefront of clubs that vie to host golf’s majors.
The original clubhouse burned down on Feb. 17, 2022. Construction on the new clubhouse began in July 2024 and was completed in December 2025 “on time and within budget,” according to club president Michael Costello.
The club would not disclose what the final cost of the new structure but noted in a statement that while “not an exact replica, it remains familiar in both square footage and scale” and brought back many of the features from architect Howard C. Crane’s 1921 plans.
The most noticeable visual difference can be found on the expansive patio at the rear of the clubhouse that overlooks the South Course. There are now four upstairs uncovered seating areas.
Rooms and spaces inside the clubhouse have been reconfigured to better accommodate members, guests and events. The club’s heritage committee also consulted with Dr. Andrew Mutch to honor the club’s vast championship history by 25 display cases that feature heirlooms and artifacts that belonged to winners.
Contact Carlos Monarrez at cmonarrez@freepress.com and follow him on X @cmonarrez.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Oakland Hills unveils new clubhouse after fire burned down original
Reporting by Carlos Monarrez, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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