Hospitality Design - November 2016 - 131

Big Sky, Montana's Yellowstone Club

A residence at Baker's Bay Golf & Ocean
Club in the Bahamas' Abaco islands

Photo by KIM SARGENT

perfect powder. In the summer, there are numerous outdoor adventure
opportunities as well, making it the ideal year-round getaway. When you're
at Silo Ridge [Field Club in Amenia, New York], you will have access to
hunting and shooting because the club is located in hunt club country. There
is a farm-to-table emphasis that is true to Hudson Valley style; we have
planted our own garden and plan to raise our own cattle and chickens onsite.
We have perfected the beach club communities with unique and pristine
coastal properties at El Dorado Golf & Beach Club [in Los Cabos, Mexico],
Kuki'o [Golf & Beach club in Kona, Hawaii], and the soon-to-be-unveiled
Dune Deck Beach Club in Westhampton Beach, New York.

You also provide comfort stations at various holes at your golf
courses.
They are stocked with full bars and every imaginable treat (candy, sushi,
dried fruit, homemade potato chips, jerky, cheese, ice cream) and depending
on which property, specialty items influenced by where the club is located.
There are margarita machines at El Dorado and huckleberry-flavored treats
at Gozzer Ranch in Idaho, for example.
At some clubs, they even cook on the course between holes, including
offering fresh burgers and steaks right off the grill. The Madison Club in
La Quinta, California is known as the five-pound round in reference to the
weight you could gain from all the food offered. There are comfort stations
on the course at the Yellowstone Club but since golf is not an option in the
winter, there are also warming huts on some ski runs-places to stop in and
have warm cider or venison chili.

Why do you think guests have responded so positively to these
communities?
It is a universal sentiment that people's No. 1 regret in life is not having
enough time with their families. At Discovery, we offer a respite from the
grind, where [guests] can be present and focused on spending time with
those they love.

Photo by JOHN LAIR

We have [also] found that American luxury is desirable across many
cultures and our brand translates worldwide. Therefore, we are considering
projects in the UAE, Russia, Brazil, and China.

Your properties are known for their custom beer pong tables
and the fact that golfers aren't required to wear collared
shirts. Why is a casual atmosphere so important?
Whether at their homes, at the clubhouse, or on the golf course, we want
people to be pampered but always comfortable. Bathing suits and shorts are
the attire of choice. We have successfully created the antithesis of the stuffy
country clubs of past generations. This is again the result of my background
(I was born in Milwaukee), and the experience of trying to get my kids to
golf with me when they were younger. At one of my first projects, Iron
Horse in Montana, the golf pro came up to me on the course and said my
kids had to wear collared shirts. They were frustrated and I thought that
was a dumb rule, and it makes the game seem so formal and intimidating.
So we threw it out. The casual and organic environment of our golf courses
lends itself to being inclusive of all family members.

What's next for you?
We plan to expand internationally and possibly start some high-end
boutique hotels and develop luxury apartments. Our company and work
as developers really translates into limitless opportunities. And of course,
beyond just real estate, I will continue my other career as a tequila baron,
promoting my brand Casamigos [with Rande Gerber and George Clooney]
around the world.

Since this is the new icons issue, who are some of the people
you see doing great things?
My mentor and the person who has influenced me the most is [movie
producer] Jerry Weintraub. I also admire and respect [financier and
philanthropist] Michael Milken, Steve Wynn, and [real estate developer]
Lyle Anderson for all of their accomplishments.

How do you pick the locations?
We need to be strategic and seek out popular, family-friendly destinations.

hospitalitydesign.com November 2016

131
http://www.hospitalitydesign.com
Hospitality Design - November 2016

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Hospitality Design - November 2016
