The Club Times: July/August 2024

EXPERIENCES to Deliver Extraordinary Events at Atlanta Athletic Club

Harkleroad believes it’s the little details that take events at Atlanta Athletic Club to the next level. It’s not always the “fireworks at the wedding” that make the biggest impression, sometimes it’s the small touches that people remember most. In 2023, Club and team members had the opportunity to put a Halloween spin on the East Lake Cup, a college tournament that AAC had the unique opportunity to host. Fall florals and skeletons were scattered along the tables in the 1898 House, where teams and their families could recuperate throughout the competition. The biggest crowd pleasers, however, were the scarecrows set up along the patio, decorated to look like the visiting golf coaches, each surrounded by objects that represented each school. “All of the players loved it, the guests loved it, and the people of the club loved it,” says Ortner, who enjoyed seeing people stop by to get a photo with their team of choice. “Creating elevated experiences is about the wow factor,” Sutherland explains. “What are they walking away with? Not necessarily something physical, but are they having a great time? How are we creating certain moments that are unexpected?” “We want our club to look the best, to have the best, and to have the best members we can be,” says Tholen. “And we are so glad that we are able to do it together.” Want to learn more about how AAC continues to elevate experiences? Scan the QR Code to watch a video!

accommodate the number of people eager to attend the Club's larger occasions, such as the Christmas Spectacular, which faces the challenge of limited space each year due to the colder weather. However, Sutherland and her team not only created more space with an outdoor tent, but they also used this new component to enhance last year’s Who-ville theme. “I think creating that space and actually turning it into something great like the Grinch’s Lair where you’re in the mountains and it’s cold and drafty,” says Sutherland, “it ended up working perfectly for that event.” As most members know, Atlanta Athletic Club has hosted an impressive list of golf tournaments alongside the PGA and USGA. Still, they may not realize the impressive décor and special touches that are spotted throughout the tournaments are produced through the joined efforts of club and team members. Ortner and Tholen recall having iconic Palmer umbrellas hung from the ballroom ceiling for the Arnold Palmer Cup in 2017. They also worked with the team to turn the back of the Clubhouse into a traditional, relaxing, southern backyard for the young men competing in the U.S. Amateur in 2014. As recently as this past May, the pair pulled a group of volunteers together to transform the Jones Center into a patriotic lounge and locker area for the USGA’s National Junior Golf Team. “When you have these events, they’re like guests in your home and you want everything to look right,” Ortner explains. “You want it to be special – something out of the ordinary.”

Serving Our Club with Gracious Hospitality We don't just expect gracious hospitality and great service from our club, we are here to serve our club and each other with a mindset to leave things and people better than we found them.

Inspiring Discovery Whether it's a long-held passion, something new to explore, or friends old and new to spend time with, we inspire ourselves and each other to discover and deepen what matters most to each of us.

Growing Stronger For 125 years, our club has pursued excellence. That's why our members and our club are never done pursuing the growth that makes us stronger - for ourselves, and collectively as part of our shared experience at Atlanta Athletic Club.