Since 1951, much of the social life in Hendersonville has revolved around Bluegrass Yacht & Country Club. Founded 18 years before the incorporation of the city of Hendersonville, the club offers a friendly and welcoming environment for members and guests to enjoy a wide range of entertainment, recreation, dining and community activities.
Most of the club’s facilities are situated on over 100 acres of rolling grounds that was once the plantation home of Revolutionary War veteran Hubbard Saunders. Saunders was also a Methodist minister who founded the Saundersville Methodist Church, which still exists today, just a short distance from Bluegrass.
Bluegrass offers its members a number of amenities, including an 18-hole championship golf course and pro shop, a fully equipped tennis center, a junior Olympic size pool with locker rooms and showers and a full-service marina, featuring 68 covered boat slips ranging in size from 24 to 52 feet.
At the core of the Bluegrass experience is the world class dining and afterhours entertainment offered in the Harris restaurant and the adjacent 51 Lounge. Both the restaurant and the lounge offer stunning views of the scenic golf course that create a relaxing atmosphere for dinner and drinks with friends and family. In addition, Bluegrass offers an outdoor patio complete with large screen TVs, comfortable lounges and two fire pits that help to make every visit a memorable occasion.
“Our menu is planned and prepared daily from custom recipes developed by Executive Chef Donald Ferguson,” says Membership Director Samantha Starbuck. “Steaks, seafood, custom dishes – we have it all. From breakfast through dinner, our entrees are unparalleled in Hendersonville.”
While still member-owned, Bluegrass is currently leased to and operated by Dallas-based ClubCorp. This arrangement allows Bluegrass to retain the warm, comfortable feel of a locally owned facility, while enabling it to take advantage of the resources of the nation’s largest operator of private clubs.
ClubCorp operates more than 200 private golf and country clubs spread across the United States. Membership in Bluegrass provides access to the ClubCorp Network that features over 300 private clubs and resort properties across the world.
Recently, the club underwent a multimillion-dollar series of state-of-the-art upgrades. From redesigned dining and meeting rooms to a renovated swim complex to new golf greens and fairways, Bluegrass offers some of the most innovative and attractive facilities of any country club in the nation.
Currently, Bluegrass has 740 members spread across multiple categories including social, young executive and golf. After a one-time joining fee, monthly member dues range from $165 to $458.
Unlike the demographics of many other country clubs, the average member age at Bluegrass is only 41. This younger median age, coupled with the club’s extensive recreational facilities, has helped shape it into a very family-friendly destination.
Throughout its storied history, Bluegrass has played host to a number of celebrities. The list of notable visitors includes entertainers Vince Gill and Glen Campbell, professional athletes Lou Graham and Mickey Mantle and dignitaries Col. Harlan Sanders and Rev. Billy Graham.
The club has also had several famous members, including Reba McEntire, William Lee Golden, Richard Sterban, Roy Orbison and Conway Twitty.
Although Bluegrass is a private club, many of its facilities are available for hosting events for area corporate, nonprofit and school organizations. From meetings to catered luncheons to golf tournaments, Bluegrass is the destination of choice for Hendersonville area event planners.
“Unlike many other country clubs, you don’t have to be a Bluegrass member to host an event here,” says Jennifer Turrill, private event director. “We are happy to open up our facilities to support the needs of our community.”
Many different organizations make regular use of the Bluegrass facilities, including the Hendersonville Area Chamber of Commerce, the Junior Service League and the Hendersonville Rotary Club.
Bluegrass also serves as the home of several HolidayFest events each year, including the Garlands and Glitter Fashion Show, the Holiday Tablescape Fashion Show, the Bows & Ballcaps Breakfast with Santa and the St. Nicholas Ball.
Additionally, the club hosts many additional private events each year, including wedding receptions, reunions and awards celebrations.
“Hosting public and private events is not just good for our community, it is also good for club growth,” adds Samantha. “Many of our members decided to join Bluegrass after having attended an event.”
All in all, the club’s hospitality and community service have established it as a Hendersonville community treasure. If it is happening in the City by the Lake, it is likely happening at Bluegrass Yacht & Country Club.
Bluegrass Yacht & Country Club
550 Johnny Cash Pkwy.,
Hendersonville, TN
615.824.6528
