Fort Worth is home to some of Texas's most prestigious and beautiful country clubs. From Rivercrest to Shady Oaks, these clubs offer their members a wide variety of amenities and activities to enjoy.
Fort Worth's country clubs are a great place to golf or play tennis, and they are social centers for their members and the city's influencers. Many clubs host events like wine tastings, holiday parties, and fundraisers. They come to network over cocktails and meet new people at the tasting dinner.
If you're looking for a luxurious and active lifestyle, then a Fort Worth country club is the perfect place for you. Learn more about these institutions and what they can offer you.
Fort Worth Club
The Fort Worth Club is a luxury social, business, and athletic Club that prioritizes excellent service and an unyielding standard of excellence. While the only Club on the list without a golf course, the prestigious Club has served as a business, athletic, and social Club for leaders in the community for over a century. The prime downtown location off 6th Street places this Club at the center of Fort Worth.
Club History
A group of Fort Worth businessmen formally established the Commercial Club on June 10, 1885, intending to form an organization to promote the city's growth and for socializing opportunities.
As the city grew, so did the Club and its mission. Over time, members felt that "Commercial" did not accurately represent the Club's goal, so in 1906, the name was changed to "The Fort Worth Club."
The Fort Worth Club erected a stunning 12-story high-rise at Throckmorton and Seventh streets in 1926, with apartment units for important members. In his personal quarters, club President Amon G. Carter hosted prominent visitors, including Franklin D. Roosevelt, Bob Hope, Gene Autrey, war hero J.D. Doolittle, sports figures, and more. The new Fort Worth Club quickly became downtown Fort Worth's social center.
Amenities
Today, the apartment rooms have evolved into 21 boutique guest rooms. The Inn at the Club caters to guests worldwide, exclusive to members, club tenants, and others who require short-term lodging in Fort Worth's beautiful downtown area.
Three dining rooms with sweeping city views complement the cuisine. The culinary experience is overseen by Executive Chef Tim Prefontaine, 2014 ACF Chef of the Year. Enjoy a five-star fine dining restaurant at The Library. Casual fare for breakfast and lunch are served at The Grille, while the sports-themed Davey O'Brien Sports Lounge begins cocktail service at 3pm.
Club members have access to the most up-to-date equipment in the Athletic Center. The facility offers various group exercise rooms, weight facilities, and classes to accommodate members' individualized fitness objectives. The boutique services include cryotherapy, muscle activation therapies, nutrition counseling, lab testing, pilates, and a physical therapy office.
Event spaces on the 12th floor fit various event sizes, from 30 guests to up to 300, depending on layout. The rooms feature historic architecture and excellent views of Fort Worth from multiple angles.
Membership
Members receive access to world-class activities not available elsewhere, such as culinary treats by Executive Chef Prefontaine, specialty clubs, and memorable social and holiday events.
Fort Worth Club membership is by invitation from an existing member. All applications are reviewed by the membership committee. Full membership includes access to all Club amenities for members, spouses, and dependent children. Athletic Center membership is an additional amenity offered to members. Membership also grants you access to reciprocal Platinum clubs worldwide.
River Crest Country Club
Fort Worth's oldest, most storied private country club lies five miles from downtown in a quiet, charming neighborhood. It prides itself as much on its history as its modern amenities and hospitality.
Club History
River Crest Country Club began in 1910 as the idea of leading businessmen and community members who were all avid golfers.
It was the state's eighth country club when it opened on May 6, 1911, and notably, the first to offer residential housing on its grounds. This innovation aided in start-up financing and ensured the project's sustainability. Since its opening, the Club has hosted many notables of the sport.
Golf course
River Crest was designed by Tom Bendelow and A.W. Tillinghast, with later upgrades by Colligan Golf Design. The course is a 6,300-yard par 70 with narrow fairway corridors and well-protected greens with bent grass greens, Bermuda grass fairways, and zoysia grass tees.
Facilities
Members have access to two dining rooms, an on-site tavern, and two other meeting rooms. The family-friendly pool area has a zero-entry area for youth and a 50-meter lap swim area. The fitness facilities run programming and are equipped with high-end Techno gym equipment.
Membership
River Crest offers different membership levels from stockholder to non-resident. Many members are multi-generational, meaning their families have been members for three or four generations. Contact the Club for information.
Ridglea Country Club
With an intent to be a modern, family-friendly country club, Ridglea Country Club is southwest of downtown in the Ridglea Hills area. The member-only private Club runs two courses and provides supporting lifestyle amenities.
Club History
Bernie L. Anderson and his partner Morris E. Berney once owned the land on which Ridglea Country Club now sits. They ran Ridglea as a public golf course, but they wanted to see it expanded into a community recreation center for the Ridglea area.
The Luther Group acquired the course, and Clayton Luther vowed that Ridglea Country Club would be the finest country club in existence. He intended for Ridglea Country Club to be a destination of distinction, with high standards for quality and respectability. He also wanted the Club to reflect modern society. The country club initiative began planning in 1954 with amenities like a nursery and private dining rooms. It officially opened in 1967.
The Club continued expanding over the years and was acquired by the members in 1974.
Golf course
The North and South courses are demanding tests for experienced golfers, but they're also fair and pleasant for novices. A driving range, short game area, and indoor teaching center are available at each course. Each course has its own golf shop stocked with cutting-edge equipment and clothing.
The U.S. Open qualifier, the U.S. Amateur qualifying, and the Texas State Open qualifier have played at Ridglea in recent years, as well as other national tournaments such as the National Big I Junior tournament.
The North golf course originated in 1928 and was rebuilt and enhanced in 1954. The course formally opened with a length of 6,138 yards from the back tees and a par of 71. Jay Morish redesigned the course again in 1987 with challenging terrain.
In 1967, the South course opened, measuring 7,200 yards long from the championship tees and 6,300 yards long from the executive tees, with a 72 par. The South Course is longer, although the terrain changes less frequently. Some regard it as the more difficult of the two golf courses because of its length and tall rough. The South Course has a higher course and slope rating than the North Course and is only available for men's play.
Facilities
Ridglea Country Club's aquatic programs are among the best in the city, with a competitive swim and dive team. It provides swimming lessons for infants and water aerobics group classes in the summer months. The Family Pool is adjacent to the Clubhouse and features ample seating with beautiful landscaping. It has two diving boards and a slide, while the baby pool has several water activities for little ones to play with parents. Poolside food and beverage service are available.
The Ridglea Country Club Fitness Center is a first-rate fitness center with free weights, cardiovascular equipment, and a full complement of Nautilus equipment. The Fitness Center's professionals deliver comprehensive fitness instruction for all age groups. The programming includes Yoga/Pilates, Boot Camp, Senior Classes, and Water Aerobics (summer only). A massage therapist is also on staff.
Ridglea's Tennis Center has 11 lighted outside hard courts, a spacious covered gazebo, and separate watching areas. Several tennis leagues address all levels of play. Two pickleball courts have been added, and a pickleball professional is on staff.
For dining, the Family Grill is a family-friendly dining option in the Clubhouse. It also has an outdoor covered patio that extends the dining area all year. The Club's adult dining and cocktail area is located at the 19th Hole. The patio features picturesque golf course vistas, an outdoor music stage, and several fire pits. It's the ideal place to unwind after work, playing golf or tennis. Four other networking, meeting, and relaxing areas provide food and beverage service.
Ridglea Country Club promotes a family-friendly atmosphere, with dedicated children's facilities and a full calendar of kids and family activities. As of 2022, Ridglea Country Club has been named "Best Family Club in Fort Worth" for seven years running and a Reader's Pick for the Best Country Club in Fort Worth for the past four years.
Membership
Ridglea Country Club membership is available in five different packages, including Resident Golf and Athletic Non-Golf.
Colonial Country Club
This prestigious, private country club runs along the Clear Fork of the Trinity River, close to some of the top neighborhoods in Fort Worth and downtown amenities. It has a reputation for being a course for the who's who of Fort Worth.
Club History
Marvin Leonard, a pioneer in the development of Bentgrass greens in the region, founded Colonial Country Club in 1936. A fan of the sport, Leonard had extensively studied golf course design and hand-picked much of the course's layout. He sold the course to its members in 1942.
Since 1946, the Charles Schwab Challenge has been hosted at Colonial Country Club. It is the longest-running event on the PGA TOUR and takes place in the same location.
Facilities
The clubhouse provides fine dining cuisine from two elegantly appointed dining rooms. A valet, bag drop, and two locker rooms are at the members' service. Members also enjoy a seven-lane lap pool and a dive pool. Ten tennis courts are available for play.
Membership
Anyone interested in becoming a club member must email the Club's Assistant General Manager for details. The Club charges an initiation fee plus monthly dues.
Shady Oaks Country Club
As part of the prestigious Westover Hills area, the private Shady Oaks Country Club prides itself on providing excellent service for all its members.
Club History
After designing Colonial Country Club and selling it to the members, Marvin Leonard was interested in building the finest courses in the world. He set his sights on transforming the rugged and hilly landscape near Westover Hills. Leonard brought a relentless quest for perfection to every hole on the course.
Mr. Leonard sought to establish the ideal Club where members would reign supreme. To ensure it met his high standards, he ran the Club for an entire year at his own expense before inviting a single member to join. The membership now includes some of Fort Worth's top golfers, many of whom are members of at least one of the city's other golf clubs.
Golf Course
Play the 18-hole course or the "little nine" course. Robert Trent Jones designed the 18-hole par 71 championship course with large bent grass greens and broad, gently rolling fairways. It is as challenging as it is beautiful, with numerous grand oak trees on the course that are thought to be hundreds of years old.
Facilities
Shady Oaks Country Club has three dining rooms. The Mixed Grill Room and Oak Room are ideal for a relaxing meal. Golf course views are available in both rooms. The Terrace Room is Shady Oaks' formal dining room with classical music and a breathtaking view of the beautifully landscaped golf course. You may also dine on the Terrace Patio, enjoying the tranquility and stunning vista of the golf course.
The state-of-the-art Health and Fitness Center is an approximately 6,200 square foot space with a cardio room, strength training equipment, and a free weight area. The center is stocked with various dumbbells, medicine balls, balance equipment, and exercise balls to meet all of your workout goals. On staff are personal fitness trainers for individual programs. They also run specific programs for golf and tennis, group exercise classes, and seasonal aquatic programs.
The Shady Oaks Tennis Center offers two indoor and five outdoor courts for members to play tennis. There is no limit on court reservations. With personalized coaching or clinics, the Shady Oaks Tennis Staff and program provides its members with every chance to play tennis and improve their game.
The pool features food and beverages served poolside, wireless internet, private swim and dive training, swim and dive teams, and exciting holiday activities. A baby pool is available for kids aged six months old or under. A three-meter diving board and a one-meter diving board are available at our twenty-five-meter swimming pool.
Membership
Shady Oaks Country Club limits its number of members to provide an exclusive experience. Membership is sponsored by a current club member.
Mira Vista Country Club
The newest country club on the list, Mira Vista is a member-owned club southwest of downtown Fort Worth and outside Fort Worth. Mira Vista is a full-service country club and the only 24-hour gated golf course community in the city.
Club History
In 1985, the Mira Vista development group acquired 625 acres of ranch property in west Fort Worth, intending to transform the landscape into an exclusive, high-end golf course neighborhood. The spectacular terrain and exhilarating views inspired the community name and its rolling course.
Golf professional Tom Weiskopf and golf course architect Jay Morrish designed the golf course, opening in 1987. The Club became member-owned in 2008.
Golf course
The par 71 course takes full advantage of the natural beauty provided by this 700-acre development as it meanders through the scenic vistas.
Facilities
Mira Vista is a family-friendly country club committed to delivering the best services throughout the year. Its long roster of amenities includes:
- Six outdoor and two indoor tennis courts.
- Premium fitness centers.
- Summer swimming and camp activities.
- Social activities and parties throughout the year.
The tennis program runs ladies' and men's leagues, weekly drills and clinics, tournaments and matches with other clubs, and junior tennis programs.
Swim facilities include locker rooms, showers, shaded areas, and a food and beverage service. Swim teams practice and compete in the summer.
Two fitness facilities are equipped with modern Nautilus machines, treadmills, ellipticals, bicycles, and free weights. Personal trainers are on staff offering group programs and individualized programs. Additionally, a jacuzzi and wet & dry saunas are available.
Members have several full-service dining, banquet, and catering facilities. The casual Horizon Lounge and Patio overlooks the 18th hole and has a gorgeous panorama of the western sky. Sunset Grill is an elegantly appointed atmosphere catering to both formal and casual meals.
A robust social calendar runs events throughout the year. Highlighted events are the annual Margarita Madness, New Year's Eve Celebrations, and Caribbean Parties. Weekly traditions include Wednesday Family Nights, Friday Night Seafood Buffet, and our Sunday Brunch.
A Kids' Club provides on-site professional childcare year-round so members can enjoy the Club's amenities. Summer camps are available for the kids in addition to the junior swim and tennis programs.
Membership
Mira Vista is a member-owned, equity country club offering five membership options, from Social membership to full Golf membership. For information, contact the membership director.
Living the country club lifestyle
Let the Chicotsky Real Estate Group help you find the right home near the country club of your choice. All of these options are near some of Fort Worth's top communities.
