Rooted in Community
In the 1870’s Thomas Lake Harris, “Citizen of the World”, and founder of the utopian community/commune called “Brotherhood of New Life” met Kanaye Nagasawa, one of the first Japanese immigrants, at his upstate New York Commune. Thomas Lake Harris was a prolific author, delving deeply into religious and social concepts. Nagasawa went out west with Harris when he came to Santa Rosa to purchase the 1,500-acre Fountaingrove Ranch which was to be the “home center” for his followers. For nearly 30 years the commune flourished and became successful at winemaking. The Fountaingrove winery was one of the first four Sonoma County wineries to gain national attention, and even some international recognition and distribution.
The Baron of Fountaingrove
In the early 1900’s Thomas Lake Harris left Fountaingrove under a cloud of suspicion, and Nagasawa became the proprietor of the property, and activities of the winery and “community.” During prohibition, Nagasawa tapped the cellars of the winery to entertain numerous local and international dignitaries such as Luther Burbank, as well as several Japanese delegations who came here to experience the “good life.” This gracious hospitality and influence gained Nagasawa the name “The Baron of Fountaingrove.”
A Cattle Ranch
The ranch was sold upon the death of Nagasawa in 1934 to Grass Valley gold mine owner Errol MacBoyle who continued the winery and the tradition of entertaining at the ranch. After MacBoyle's death, his widow married German-born Siegfried Becchold, who removed the vineyards to make pasture for his cattle, spelling the end of Fountaingrove’s seventy five year winemaking history.
Swift-Changing Ownership
As Santa Rosa’s development began to flourish in the 1970s and 1980s, the California Teacher’s Union decided to build a championship golf course and clubhouse in 1983. The Teachers Union owned and operated the property as a public facility until 1990, when Japanese investors purchased the Club. Futsu Golf Club Company had a vision of being a semi-private country club and building a resort hotel. When it became clear that a resort hotel did not make financial sense, Futsu investigated the concept of an Indian casino. When the ballot measure to build the casino was soundly defeated and the Japanese stock market crashed, Fountaingrove was sold to RNM Properties in 1996. RNM had visions of becoming a private country club, but sluggish membership sales, and bothersome CC&R’s convinced RNM to put the property up for sale in 2002.
A Club is Born
In December of 2002, a group of 18 individuals, Fountaingrove LLC, purchased the club from RNM. This group was made up of locals, many of whom were previous members, all of whom were motivated to turn this property into a premier private golf and athletic club. The first year was filled with challenges and successes. The first hurdle was to convince over 800 Fountaingrove Ranch homeowners that becoming a private country club was in their best interest, and to cast a vote to change the CC&R’s to that effect. After a lot of door-knocking, over 95% of those who voted were in favor of the proposal. With this in hand the club was able to submit an application to the Department of Corporations for their approval. Concurrently, construction of the much-anticipated pool and fitness facility commenced.
On August 1, 2003 approval from the DOC was obtained, and the process of converting the current memberships into equity members for the new club began. In October, the conversion period was completed. Over the next 14 years, the Club grew in memberships and prestige, serving generations of families in a premier environment.
The Fire That Changed Everything
In October 2017, The Tubbs Fire blasted through Sonoma County, ravishing the landscape and burning our beloved clubhouse to the ground. Somehow—and some would say, miraculously—our Athletic Center remained unscathed. Organically, it became a meeting place and safe haven not only for our members but for the entire community. People flocked here to find peace, respite and safety. We came together to mourn the loss of homes, keepsakes and memories and we gazed out over a valley with a broken heart.
That was when we learned the resilience of the Fountaingrove community.
In a matter of weeks, the Club was up and running, hosting meals and events on a daily basis. Families flocked to the pool and dozens of individuals filled the Athletic Center, many finding exercise to be the salve needed to heal. The golf course welcomed a busy season of games and clinics and the tennis courts were full most afternoons.
At times, it felt scrappy, but our efforts were steadfast, dedicated and creative. We erected a dozen semi-permanent tents to house equipment. We purchased a new fleet of GPS-enabled golf carts. We redid the bunkers across the course and our passionate executive chef served up all sorts of snacks and meals from temporary culinary facilities.
We started a new tradition called "Fountaingrove Fridays" which welcomed both members and members of the community to the pool on Friday afternoons. In time, our membership started to heal and it started to grow once again, in large part thanks to the open arms with which we welcomed the community at large.
New Beginnings
In December of 2021, we opened our much anticipated new clubhouse and restaurant and bar, Summit Kitchen & Cocktails, for our members to enjoy. Featuring the same stunning views and in the same location but a completely different design and feel from the previous building, this mid-century modern design combines the warmth of natural finishes with floor to ceiling windows, sliding glass doors that open up to our large patio space and a showcase kitchen. Our culinary team features a seasonally updated menu, with everything members are craving from just off the golf course appetizers, to delicious dinner entrees Tuesday-Sunday. Whether it’s a business meeting, family get together, birthday celebration or quiet evening with a special someone, our members are able to enjoy it all with views of the course, Fountaingrove lake, and the coastal hills beyond.
A new Golf Shop, locker rooms, a Boardroom and administrative offices complete the space.
We continue on our rebuild journey with excitement and optimism that The Fountaingrove Club will continue to grow and become the premier golf and fitness venue in Sonoma County for years to come.