Welcoming New & Returning Traditions
Our many celebrated traditions are what makes Ocean Reef first and foremost a club. These long-held traditions, some dating back to before the Member buyout, help to create the lasting memories Members and their families enjoy here year after year.
Years ago, summers at The Reef were considered quiet, but now our summer has become a season unto itself, filled with Equity Get Togethers, world-class fishing, summer camps for all ages, and more. Although more Members are choosing to stay at The Reef year-round, we still deem our November traditions our “Welcome Back” events to mark the start of another great season to come.
Forming New Traditions
As the years go on, we see new traditions begin to form – like that of the Member-Associate Tennis Tournament. Now in its fourth year, the Member-Associate Tournament, held Tuesday, October 22, saw 20 Ocean Reef Members and 20 Club associates representing 11 departments come together for a day of friendly competition and camaraderie. The tournament was conceived by Members, with the idea of connecting with associates in an informal setting outside of their typical work environment. Director of Tennis, Jim Morton told participants, “There are very few Clubs where you would find this type of event taking place. It is truly special and speaks to the culture of Ocean Reef Club.”
Another new tradition is Golf’s Meet the Team Invitational. This tournament began two years ago as a way for the Golf Team to welcome back Members following Hurricane Irma, and has morphed into an annual event inviting Members to meet the new and returning Golf Professionals and kick off the season.
Once in a while you’ll also see a break in tradition, like the annual Member-Guest Golf Tournament, now in its 47th year. Taking on a new twist, the Member-Guest Tournament will become a men’s-only tournament as of this year, leading the way for the ladies’-only LGA tournament in February. With a full field signed up for the men’s Member-Guest, and more than a dozen on the waitlist, it seems like this change in tradition is being greeted with open arms.
Returning “Welcome Back” Events
Among numerous decades-long traditions, is the ultimate welcoming celebration – the Equity Welcome Back Party. Since its inaugural celebration in November of 1993, coined “The Gathering”, this event has continued to bring out the Membership in a celebration of season with live music, food stations and friendship.
In addition to this Club-wide celebration, many of the different departments at The Reef have their own special ways of welcoming back their Members in the start of the season. The Tennis & Games Center welcomes back tennis-loving Members with their Harvest Moon Extravaganza, featuring tennis, pickleball and croquet, culminating in a potluck dinner. In November, the Tennis & Games Center boasts opening days for all of their weekly classes and clinics – Men’s Day Tennis Opening Day, Mixed Doubles Opening Day, Croquet Mixer Opening Day, and Ladies’ Pickleball League Opening Day to name a few.
The traditions continue, welcoming back our Canadian Members with the 26th year of Canadian Weekend. Participants celebrate their reunion with each other and The Reef through croquet, guided kayak tours around our waterways, pickleball, golf, and of course, delicious food.
For the many golf groups at ORC – including MGA, LGA, 9-Hole Ladies and the Niners – they are all welcomed back with November Opening Days, kicking off a season of weekly gatherings to play the sport they love.
Our timeless traditions are just a part of what makes up Ocean Reef Club’s unique way of life and with them, the Club’s remarkable history continues to carry on from one season to the next. See below for a full list of November “Welcome Back” events.
Harvest Moon Tennis, Pickleball & Croquet Potluck – October 30
Meet the Team Invitational – November 1
Men’s Day Tennis Opening Day – November 1
Men’s Day Pickleball Shootout Opening Day – November 1
Mixed Doubles Opening Day – November 2
Croquet Mixer Opening Day – November 3
MGA Opening Day – November 4
C Level Friendly Round Robin Opening Day – November 4
Mixed Doubles Tennis Scramble Opening Day – November 4
LGA Opening Day – November 5
Member-Guest Golf Tournament – November 6-9
Ladies’ Pickleball League Opening Day – November 6
Ladies’ Day Tennis Opening Day – November 6
Member Fitness Welcome Back Party – November 6
Men’s Pickleball League Opening Day – November 7
Equity Welcome Back Party – November 10
9-Hole Ladies Opening Day – November 14
Canadian Weekend – November 21-23
Turkey Shoot – November 28
Thanksgiving Weekend – November 28 – December 1