West Orange Country Club’s Membership Grows

A Little Gem in West Orange County

by Debra Wood


West Orange Country Club

West Orange Country Club boosts membership after completing upgrades.


More than a year after a group of golf enthusiasts purchased West Orange Country Club and upgraded the property, membership has grown significantly.

“It’s been good,” said Jim Karr, a managing partner of West Orange Country Club. “We’re encouraged that the club is going to make it.”

Founded by citrus growers, West Orange Country Club opened in 1967, with a tree-lined, 71-par golf course designed by Lloyd Clifton. The club became a vital part of the community. Throughout the years, interest in golfing waned, and the membership aged.

Karr, who joined the club in 1981, continues to fight the negative comments by some naysayers that he and his partners plan to close the club. That is neither his nor the other investors’ intentions. They are working to ensure it succeeds as a golf course.

Ed Neill, a part-time Winter Garden resident, has belonged to the club for about 10 years. He said that he invested to help save it, so he can continue to enjoy the unpretentious atmosphere and comfortable camaraderie.

According to county records, the new owners purchased the club in July 2015 for nearly $1.3 million. At the time, it had 148 members. The new owners invested more than $500,000 in improvements, including repaving the parking lot, adding pavers and new furniture to the pool deck, resurfacing the tennis courts, and adding a new driving mat to the driving range.

Membership has grown to 250 members as of this month.

“We are encouraged by the progress, but we still have a ways to go,” Karr said. “We are anxious to have other people come out and enjoy this hidden gem.”

Many new members have signed on for a social golf membership with four pre-paid rounds of golf per month. Additional rounds can be purchased. Social members have full access to the pool, tennis and club facilities.

“We’re getting a number of young families,” Karr said. “It’s allowed the younger families to come out and use the pool.”

Many children are taking survival swim lessons. Other folks just relax by the pool and cool off in the water. Karr plans to extend the pool deck to accommodate all of the people who enjoy the pool.

The Windermere and west Orange communities are some of the fastest growing in the county, so the population increase should bode well for the club. Membership is not limited to the immediate area, with some members living in Seminole and Lake counties.

Anyone can dine at the club, but golfing on the 18-hole course is reserved for members only. The club does offer a member-for-a-day program, so prospective members can try the course and see if they like it, and it is open seven days per week.

Young people are learning to play the game at the golf clinics, led by Brendon Chase, assistant golf professional, and during afternoon lessons. Even young children are taking up clubs and enjoying the sport. Youth in high school or college can join on a student membership and play the game and practice. Student memberships include golf privileges after 2 p.m.

“This is the youngest group of people I have seen out here ever,” Karr said. “That’s the future of golf. If we don’t get younger folks out, I don’t know if the game will survive.” 💓