OUR STORY
West Hills Country Club was founded in 1899 (Originally named: Orange County Golf Club) at the half way point between the City of Middletown and the Village of Goshen. What was once lush farmland with rolling hills nestled along the majestic Wallkill River is now the site of one of the Mid-Hudson’s finest golf courses and event venues. An incredible design along with impeccable course conditions and exceptional service provide members and guests with an unforgettable experience.
Today, we continue serving our guests and community by providing championship level golf, world-class country club experiences, and unmatched luxury for weddings and events without compromise.
OUR TEAM
OPERATIONS
At the helm is our Club Manager Jim Finnegan. Raised in Goshen, New York, Jim began working in the Hospitality Industry at the age of 13. After years learning the ins and outs of Restaurants and Country Clubs, Jim attended SUNY New Paltz where he earned a Business Degree in Business Management and General Business. After graduating, Jim found the perfect fit at West Hills Country Club and was hired as Clubhouse Manager, where he has learned the intricacies of managing an upscale Country Club. Jim thoroughly enjoys the Club’s Membership and working with the great team at the Club on a daily basis to help make West Hills Country Club the Premier Country Club in the area.
Operations Manager Shawell Thomas has worked for Bonura Hospitality Group since 2009. Shawell started with BHG at The Grandview in Poughkeepsie, NY. He then worked his way up the ladder at Shadows on the Hudson, Dutchess Golf and Country Club, and the Poughkeepsie Grand Hotel. Shawell is now the Operations Manager at West Hills Country Club. Whether Shawell is assisting a wedding couple, organizing corporate event timelines for 400, or orchestrating golf outings, he does it with style and finesse. Shawell says that the best part about working at West hills Country Club is the relationships he developed with the members and the clients over the years.
GOLF AND GROUNDS
Class A PGA Golf Professional Jim Doyle has faithfully served the membership of the club since 1998. He continues to look for ways to provide the membership with opportunities to sample and test the latest and greatest equipment and merchandise in the golf shop. He is a competent and certified club fitter with Ping, Titleist and Callaway golf equipment. Though he loves to play and Manage the golf side of the facility, Jimmy’s true passion when it comes to the golf business is teaching. Jimmy comes from a family of educators and truly believes constant improvement for himself as a teacher, translates into improvement for his students. To this end continuing education in various PGA seminars and programs are a very important part of his activities. Jimmy’s ultimate goal is to create the best possible golf experience for each and every West Hills Member.
Michael Lashlee serves as our Golf Course Superintendent. Prior to joining WHCC, Michael was the Senior Assistant Superintendent and Construction Project Manager at The Saint Andrew’s Golf Club in Hastings-on-Hudson, NY. Prior to Saint Andrews, Michael was the Project Manager / Irrigation Technician at Beekman Country Club where he was asked to rejoin the club five years later as the Senior Assistant Superintendent. Leading up to his fantastic career, Michael spent time in the military and received a formal education. Michael served in the United States Air Force and received an Honorable Discharge. He attended Airman Leadership School at The Community College of the Air Force. Thank you for your service Michael. He graduated Rutgers Professional Turf Management School in Brunswick, NJ. As for professional licenses, Michael is a Certified New York State Commercial Pesticide Applicator. He maintains memberships with the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America and the Metropolitan Golf Course Superintendent Association.
NOTABLE FEATURE
Our club’s Signature Bridge which spans the Wallkill River was designed and built in 1926 by John A. Roebling & Sons Company, builders of the Brooklyn Bridge.
MISSION
Our mission is simple… If you can dream it, we can create it. We take hospitality to a whole new level by continuously training our staff alongside our team members of the Bonura Hospitality Group. Our WHY can be summed up in our manifesto:
We make dreams happen every day. Not because it’s our job, it’s our passion. We’re more than just amazing food, we are perfectionists and ready to prove it. We are masters of the wow, and award-winning hosts. We can accommodate any group from 2 to 1600 and always offer impeccable personal service and attention. Our extraordinary staff, breathtaking views, and attention to detail make every occasion unique and memorable. We are down to earth, LGBTQ friendly, courteous, and captivating. We are The Bonura Hospitality Group.
POWERED BY THE BONURA HOSPITALITY GROUP
In 2012, The Orange County Golf Club was reborn as the “NEW” West Hills Country Club. Bonura Hospitality Group (BHG), operators of high profile food and beverage venues throughout the Hudson Valley, including Anthony’s Pier 9, The Grandview, Blu Pointe and Shadows on the Hudson completely transformed the facility into one of the best private golf and country clubs in the region.
BHG purchased the failing Orange County Golf Club in Middletown, NY and created the all new West Hills Country Club. West Hills is one of few country clubs in the area trending positive with growing membership and a booming events business. Since 2012 we have undergone a multi-million dollar renovation transforming it into one of the premier golf and country club facilities in the region. The new West Hills Country Club is not only mesmerizing for our club members, it has become the most exclusive venue for wedding couples as well. Exciting developments such as new tennis courts, redesigned pool, outdoor bar and cabanas creates a decidedly elegant touch. The expanded and remodeled clubhouse, restaurant and new menu takes the country club experience to a new level. And our gorgeous new outdoor banquet facility with stunning views of the golf course nestled alongside the Wallkill River creates an unrivaled wedding experience that won’t be forgotten.
In 2015 West Hills Country Club opened a brand new 9-hole, Par 3 golf course named the “River Course.” The River Course has been rated for both Men and Ladies, playing to an overall par of 27. Designed with all levels of golfers in mind, beginners and experienced alike will enjoy the choice of playing a shorter course while building confidence in their overall game. Families will be able to enjoy their outing without the stresses of faster groups behind them. Kids will now have the opportunity to learn the game the way it was meant to be learned, from shorter shots to longer drives. The River Course can accommodate 3 different sets of tees and ranges from 76 yards to its longest hole of 240 yards, giving each player the challenge they are looking for.
HISTORY OF THE BONURA HOSPITALITY GROUP
For over forty years, the Bonura name has been synonymous with outstanding food and exceptional service.
The journey began in 1972 with a Perkins Pancake House in Newburgh, NY. In five short years, there were a total of six Perkins that were shortly followed by Mr. B’s, a Steak and Seafood Restaurant. In 1982, the focus of the Bonura Hospitality Group shifted dramatically away from ala carte dining to the event business.
One-by-one, the Perkins were sold to finance the expansion of Anthony’s Pier 9, the largest event facility in the Hudson Valley. It began as a 5,000 sf. seafood restaurant on one acre. By the early nineties, it boasted nearly 70,000 sf. on over thirty acres. Since then the entire facility has been redesigned to keep up with the ever-competitive event industry.
In 1994, BHG purchased the failing Radisson Hotel in downtown Poughkeepsie, NY and in under a year created a wildly successful catering and event hotel, now operated as The Poughkeepsie Grand Hotel.
After the hotel, ala carte dining came back into the fold for BHG with waterfront redevelopment. In 2001, Torches on the Hudson opened on the Newburgh Waterfront. After a drawn-out RFP process, BHG was selected to redevelop the Poughkeepsie Waterfront as well. In 2006 and 2007 respectively, The Grandview, the Hudson Valley’s most luxurious event venue, and Shadows on the Hudson, a large eclectic restaurant opened. Billy Joe’s Ribworks, an authentic barbecue experience, opened in 2011 also on the Newburgh Waterfront.
In 2012, BHG got into the country club business when it purchased the failing Orange County Golf Club in Middletown, NY and created the all new West Hills Country Club. West Hills is one of few country clubs in the area trending positive with growing membership and a booming events business.
BHG has since continued to grow. In 2015 BHG closed the doors of Torches on the Hudson to make way for the most elegant restaurant on the Newburgh Waterfront. After extensive renovations, BHG opened the doors to Blu Pointe, a luxurious farm-to-table style restaurant boasting a temperature controlled walk-in wine room, blue stone fireplace, cozy indoor and outdoor lounge, and much more.
Most recently, alongside the city of Poughkeepsie, BHG has begun a massive revitalization effort by constructing luxury apartments with spectacular views of the Hudson River. Water Club | Luxury Living, which opened its doors autumn 2016, offers one, two, and three-bedroom apartments with amenities that match and exceed the level of hospitality BHG is known for. All apartments include outdoor balconies, panoramic windows, stainless steel appliances, indoor parking, outdoor pool with cabanas, outdoor fire pits, bbq grills, gym, dog park, roof terrace, prime location, and much more.
Whether you’re looking for dinner for two, an event for two thousand, or anything in between, Bonura Hospitality Group is here with a perfect venue at the price point you want. Allow our family to cater to yours.