of San Diego)
Harland Brewing Company has assumed control of food and beverage operations at Mission Bay Golf Course and Practice Center. On June 5, the San Diego-based brewer officially brought its award-winning brews, casual cuisine, and community-driven hospitality to the bayside public golf course.
The clubhouse now occupies a newly built space at the Pacific Beach golf course. The facility features a brand-new kitchen with 2,000 square feet of indoor dining, including an adjacent
outdoor patio with a large island ideal for special events, team building, corporate
gatherings, golf tournaments and everything in-between.
Drawing from Harland’s midcentury-modern-inspired design aesthetics, the clubhouse’s bright indoor-outdoor space features large accordion doors, light wood features and furniture
with rounded edges and a slatted wood back bar.
The outdoor patio is furnished with shaded seating and umbrellas for guests to take in the views and fresh ocean air.
Schwab/Special for Times of San Diego)
“It took about three weeks to transform the space aesthetically and make it feel like part of the Harland family,” said Jeff Hansson, Harland’s CEO and co-founder. “It was important to
create a cohesive experience that aligned with our other locations and our brand. We added light slatted wood accents, mid-century-inspired tile, and our signature brass draft system. The goal was to warm up the space while preserving its connection to the golf
course.”
But not everyone was pleased by the new clubhouse’s recent opening, with some getting the initial impression that the new recreational facility was too much like a typical youth-oriented Pacific Beach pub.
“As a golfer at Mission Bay Golf Course, it is a shame what has happened with the opening of their new club,” said Robin Jett, a regular at the course who lives nearby. “Golfers used to have ample parking and a spot for a drink after finishing 18 holes. Now it’s filled with 95% non-golfers at the club, taking up our parking and staying for hours drinking and partying.
Addressing concerns by some golfers about the Harland Clubhouse catering too much to youth, Hansson replied: “Our grand opening exceeded all expectations, and we’re incredibly grateful for the community support. While it was an amazing turnout, we don’t anticipate seeing crowds of that size on a regular basis.”
Regarding the clubhouse’s atmosphere, Hansson noted: “This is not intended to be a rowdy location. The response so far has been overwhelmingly positive, and the guests have been incredibly diverse — from young golfers grabbing a snack and water after lessons to
longtime golfers who have been playing Mission Bay for decades.
Added Hansson, “The facility has a substantial parking lot, along with additional street parking nearby, and we believe parking will be more than adequate for normal day-to-day use
operations.
Scott Cannon, Harland’s director of culinary operations, pointed out their opening weekend at Mission Bay Golf Course was atypical of the crowds they’ve had since. He pointed out that most of the clientele have been in the “40-to-60” age range.
As for the clubhouse’s cuisine, Cannon noted it’s mostly California casual with recognizable items.
“You’ve got to have a hot dog on the menu at a golf course,” he said. “We do have a little Asian flair,” while pointing out the clubhouse kitchen, “slices all our meats in-house.”
Harland Clubhouse’s menu includes breakfast burritos, yogurt and oats, with a large variety of sandwiches, including a smash burger, beer-battered fish tacos, salads and hummus. A few menu items unique to Harland’s clubhouse include a pastrami melt and an Italian sub, which have both been well-received.
Harland’s clubhouse is also intended to be used as a community hub.
“We envision this space becoming a gathering place for the community,” said Hansson. “In addition to golf tournaments, we plan to host corporate meetings, private parties, weddings, and other special events. We’ve already received a tremendous amount of interest and event inquiries, and it’s one of the aspects of the location we’re most excited to develop moving forward.”
Harland’s new clubhouse facility is also meant to be family-friendly. “Many families visit Mission Bay Golf Course for lessons, practice sessions, and rounds of golf together,” Hansson said.
“Creating a welcoming environment for them is extremely important to us. Many of us have young children ourselves, and we understand the value of creating spaces where parents can relax, enjoy great food and drinks, and bring their families along.”
Harland’s other locations are in Bay Park, Scripps Ranch and South Park. For more information, visit @harland_clubhouse and www.harlandbeer.com.
