When Rockland County”™s famed Dellwood Country Club, the former “farm” retreat of Paramount Pictures”™ founder Adolph Zukor, came on the market in 2008, it was an opportunity investor and attorney Jeff Mandelbaum and his family couldn”™t pass by.
Not many places can say, “Mae West cavorted here.”
Mandelbaum says while his family has extensive holdings in real estate, the Dellwood is the first golf course the West Orange, N.J., family ”“ whom he calls “private investors” ”“ has taken under its wing.
“It was a private club maintained by its members and in addition to their yearly dues, there were constant assessments to maintain the grounds and the buildings,” said Mandelbaum. “Anyone who belongs to a private club knows that assessments can become astronomical.”
Eventually, maintaining the club became untenable for its members and it was put on the market.
“Now, those worries are gone,” said Mandelbaum. “Members pay their annual fee and we do the rest. We were very fortunate because nearly every former member has remained with us and we”™ve added another 70. It”™s a month before we”™ve officially opened, so its very exciting and encouraging.”
In addition to its crown jewel ”“ an 18-hole golf course designed by A. W. Tillinghast ”“ Zukor”™s home was transformed into the club house and is undergoing a complete renovation. These days, you”™ll find plenty of light streaming in from its new windows. “We”™ve made some dramatic changes to the interior,” said Mandelbaum. “The house itself is a gem. You will not find this type of architecture today, but inside, the atmosphere was dark, with lots of heavy wood paneling and little light. We”™ve brightened it up considerably but retained the charm that Zukor meant for it to have.”
Today, the wood trim and floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace Zukor installed remain in the dining area, but its new grill room will boast a 70-inch plasma television and hold up to 150 people. “In addition, there”™s a patio right outside, so our members and guests can eat outdoors or have parties out there; if the weather turns inclement, it can be closed off, so there will be no ”˜rain on anyone”™s parade,” said Kyla Jones, the club”™s marketing director and a golf pro herself.
The club”™s executive chef, Steve Haverson, comes to Dellwood from the Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck. “He”™s incredible,” said Mandelbaum, “and I”™m sure all his creations will be a treat for our members and their guests.”
Renovations to Zukor”™s former guest house are under way, as well. “There will be eight suites for our members; if they decide to stay overnight, they”™ll have top-shelf accommodations,” said Mandelbaum. “That was another unique attraction that captured our attention ”“ not many clubs can offer the opportunity to stay overnight to members.”
“The fact that we can accommodate members overnight is something that is very attractive, particularly for people who do not want to just play a round of golf and go home. Maybe they”™d like to spend the weekend in the Hudson Valley and do a little sightseeing,” said Mandelbaum. “There is so much to do here. It”™s a beautiful location only 45 minutes from Midtown.”
“We”™ve had people come and check us out for their weddings, and all of them have said they are not making any decisions until the renovations are completed,” said Manager Glenn Wollman. “We”™ve already booked more events than we had last year at this time and we”™re two weeks away from completing the renovations. We”™re confident the Dellwood is going to be one of Rockland”™s premiere destinations once more. It once was ”˜the”™ place to have your wedding, bar mitzvah, sweet 16 and a host of other events,” he said. “We believe it will take its place once more among the top destinations in the area and beyond.”
Mandelbaum agrees. “The property is an irreplaceable asset to Rockland. The fact that we”™ll be able to hold events here in our new ballroom that will accommodate over 350 guests is a big plus that few, if any, can offer.”
“We can also accommodate up to 1,000 people for an outdoor event,” said Wollman. “I don”™t think there is another venue in Rockland that can say the same. We”™re marketing ourselves locally and throughout the Hudson Valley, and we”™re also looking to Westchester and New York City for potential members and corporate event planners.”
In addition to its famous golf course, Dellwood”™s pool, where movie stars once sunned themselves, will be totally refinished, and the men”™s and women”™s lockers totally redone. “The garden in front of it will remain as it was when Zukor owned the property; it”™s really quite extraordinary and beautiful and has hosted many outdoor weddings and events,” said Jones.
Dellwood”™s new owner is also enlarging the children”™s play area, putting in miniature golf. A two-week camp will be offered at the end of summer for members”™ children. “People want places that are family-oriented, where there is something for everyone,” said Mandelbaum. “We plan to do just that.” Plans are in the works to add a luxury day spa and fitness room by the end of the summer.
“With the investment we are putting into it, we are getting an amazing response, and spring has not even arrived yet,” said Mandelbaum. “We feel we have a real gem here.”
Mandelbaum and the staff are encouraging regional businesses to take a look at what the club has to offer for corporate events. “In addition to meeting areas, we will have a wonderful ballroom, one that can be split for a smaller event and accommodate trade shows,” said Jones. “We hope the Hudson Valley business community will make the Dellwood a ”˜regular”™ on their list.”
Although the movie mogul”™s former estate will undergo a remarkable indoor transformation, Mandelbaum is not forgetting Adolph Zukor.
“There is a treasure trove of photos of Dellwood when it was in its heyday, when movie stars sunned themselves at the pool, lounged around the grill room or were out on the links. They are part of the club”™s history and its charm and will be displayed throughout the clubhouse,” said Mandelbaum.
The golf course officially opens on April 9, the clubhouse a month later. “We”™re very excited,” said Mandelbaum. “Zukor truly built a one-of-a-kind home and estate, and I am confident it will become a truly beautiful destination for Rockland and the entire metropolitan area.”
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