“Summertime, and the livin’ is easy…”
George Gershwin, “Porgy and Bess”
As the warm, sunny days of July return, the living is indeed easy and the fun abundant at Bluegrass Yacht & Country Club in Hendersonville. Offering its members an 18-hole championship golf course and pro shop, a fully equipped tennis and pickleball center and a junior Olympic size pool, Bluegrass is the perfect place for families to spend their summer.
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.
While celebrating its 70th year of operation in 2021, Bluegrass remains youthful and vibrant, with an average member age of only 41. The younger median member age, coupled with the club’s extensive recreational and dining facilities, has helped make Bluegrass one of Hendersonville’s most popular destinations.
“The Bluegrass experience is unlike any other,” says Membership Director Samantha Weilandt. “There is always something happening here.”
While the club stays busy year-round, it is especially active during the summer vacation season.
“For adults, we offer a traditional-style golf course featuring narrow Bermuda fairways and small bent-grass greens, modern tennis and pickleball courts and a beautiful pool that includes a full-service bar & grill,” says Samantha. “For kids, we have a full slate of fun activities, including PGA junior league golf, Adventure Camp, ‘Crush It’ beginner golf camps, tennis camps, swim lessons and competitive swimming, ice cream socials, cooking classes, art classes and ‘Dive In’ movie nights at the pool.”
As always, 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.
“Executive Chef Donald Ferguson and his culinary team will blow you away with their fine dining creations, with menus updated every eight weeks. Steaks, seafood, custom dishes – we have it all,” says Samantha. “We also offer daily specials and fun wine and dinner tastings, like a recent 5-course tequila dinner.”
Currently, Bluegrass has more than 700 members spread across multiple categories, including Full Golf, Young Executive and Social. Full Golf memberships include unlimited golf, tennis and pickleball, pool, marina access, 50% discount on club dining and travel benefits. The Young Executive membership category is limited to members aged 18 to 39, and it includes everything offered to Full Golf members, with the exception of marina access. Social members receive everything offered to Full Golf members, with the exception of golf privileges.
While still locally owned, Bluegrass is currently leased to and operated by Dallas-based ClubCorp. This arrangement allows Bluegrass to retain the warm, comfortable feel of a hometown facility, while enabling members to take advantage of the resources of more than 200 private golf and country clubs spread across the United States.
All of these benefits are appreciated by Bluegrass members, who are quick to offer their own personal testimonials to the value they receive from their membership.
“My family and I have been club members for many years, and we have enjoyed every minute of it,” says Ron Hibbard, a member since 1997. “We particularly enjoy our golf and dining experiences. The golf course is challenging, never boring to play and it is always in great condition. The food and service are great, and the chef and his staff make us feel at home.”
Dave Snyder, a member since 2013, also has great praise for the club.
“I joined Bluegrass eight years ago, and it has proven to be the best decision I've ever made. I would have missed knowing so many great people if I had never joined,” says Dave. “Bluegrass has the top golf course in the area, and our chef makes Bluegrass the best dining experience in Hendersonville. While there are other country club options available, there is nowhere else in middle Tennessee like Bluegrass Yacht & Country Club.”
This summer, during the week of July 12 – 17, Bluegrass will offer several special events and activities to celebrate its platinum jubilee.
“On July 12th, we will partner with Chamberlain Realty to host an open house event for new Hendersonville residents who would like to learn more about our membership options. We’ll have contests on the driving range, signature cocktails, special food in the dining room, pool games for the kids, pickleball for adults and lots of prizes,” says Samantha. “Then on July 14th, we’ll have a mixer celebration for our members with complimentary drinks, food and fun. Closing out the special week, we will have an adult-only pool party on Friday night, July 16th, and a concert on the driving range on Saturday, July 17th, which will feature an Elton John cover band. It’s going to be an awesome week!”
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 Samantha. “We are happy to open up our facilities to support the needs of our community.”
All in all, the club’s 70 years of hospitality and community service have established it as Hendersonville’s crown jewel. If it is happening in the City by the Lake this summer, it is likely happening at Bluegrass Yacht & Country Club.
Bluegrass Yacht & Country Club
550 Johnny Cash Pkwy.,
Hendersonville, TN
615.824.6528
