Photo by Denise Ritchie

The Riomar Country Club closed out its centenary season with a big bang, harkening back to the swanky days of yesteryear last weekend during a two-day Centennial Jubilee and Razzmatazz celebration.

On Saturday evening, members enjoyed cocktails in the current clubhouse one last time. Riomar staff in hard hats took everything in stride as they greeted the arriving guests, welcoming them inside where a décor of yellow caution tape and orange cones was a not-too-subtle hint about the upcoming renovations.

The writing was literally on the wall, with people scribbling their names on the soon-to-be-stripped walls and leaving messages of gratitude for the good memories. With some twinkles in their eyes, many grasped that if walls could talk what tales they could tell.

Revelers made their way down a long, raised walkway to a large tent for an elegant dinner topped off, appropriately, with birthday cake, before dancing to Big Band music reminiscent of an earlier time.

Asked to be creative in their black-tie attire, attendees sported fancy socks, crazy ties, short pants and even a 100-year-old flapper dress. For the evening’s grand finale, everyone gathered on the green for a spectacular fireworks display to close out the season and a 100-year-old legacy.

Sunday morning featured a day of frivolity, with guests turning up for the Razzmatazz part of the weekend attired in golf knickers and crazy hats to play less than conventional games of ‘cross country’ golf and croquet. There was even miniature golf played on a Riomar course replica – accurate down to the lakes, sea grapes and even the club’s resident wounded crow.

Randy Old and John Baker watched from the shade as other club members teed up among a colorful array of flamingoes. Both were in agreement that the membership is what makes the Riomar Country Club so special.

“None of us take ourselves too seriously,” noted Old. “We know almost everybody, and we enjoy each other’s company. It’s a very close membership.”

As members raised their glasses and toasted “Cheers to the next 100 years,” the moment was bittersweet. While some were a tad sad to say farewell to the clubhouse, there was also an undercurrent of anticipation as the club begins making memories for another centennium with fresh new look.