The Jayhawk Club

During the pandemic, I prefer curbside delivery from restaurants, especially if done in a convenient manner. The Jayhawk Club restaurant is open now for dine-in and for patio dining. But the curbside pickup is especially convenient.At other restaurants, to do contactless pickup, you must provide your credit card information when you call to place the order and you also have to decide on the tip in advance. But club members do not have to do either. When you call in your order, they bill your account, automatically monthly charged to your credit card, and automatically add a 20% tip. I then drive there, open my car trunk, and they put the order into the trunk. Could not be easier.In addition, since I am a dining member only, the monthly dues are much lower than for members who use the club's other facilities, such as the golf course, pool, or gym.

I contacted Alvamar and Lawrence Country Club ($220 per month - golf/social/pool/tennis membership) via email in mid-March, inquiring about a possible tour and opportunity to play the courses. Alvamar's Ryan Spencer (Director of Golf Membership) was quick to get back to me, Lawrence Country Club never did.Brian Minnis, Director of Operations and one of the owners, met me when I arrived and personally gave me a tour of the facilities and introduced me to the staff. I was very impressed with the facilities and staff, but even more so with the University of Kansas (KU) Affiliate Membership. Normally $240 per month ($2,880 per year) plus a $300 initiation fee, Brian told me that KU Staff and their families get a golf/dining/social membership for just $150 per month ($1,800 per year, a savings of over $1000) with no initiation fee and access to all of the facilities for my wife included ... SOLD!I joined Alvamar on March 13, 2014 and played my first round that day, 10/18ths of a round anyway. As I putted-out on the 10th green of the Member's Course, a tight, tree-lined layout that meanders through large custom homes and gently rolling hills, I turned to return to my golf cart ... BUT IT WAS GONE! While just 30 yards away putting, it turned out that three teenagers drove off with my electric cart along with my new iPhone and golf clubs valued at over $1700. I recovered my iPhone, which they tossed from the cart as they drove down the 13th fairway, using Find My iPhone in the Pro Shop. I also found two of my golf clubs in the bushes across the street from the 13th green where witnesses had seen the boys fleeing the scene but everything else was lost.Alvamar staff reacted immediately and superbly, doing everything they could to help me, including wading through knee deep sludge in a drainage ditch and combing the woods for any sign of my possessions. They was absolutely nothing they could have done to prevent this bazaar theft and went above and beyond after, a testament to the commitment to outstanding customer service I have witnessed so far.I have since had a chance to play both courses and have been impressed with the layouts and conditions even though the grass is still dormant. With the exception of a few holes, the courses are both very walkable. The Member's Course is much tighter than the Championship (public) Course, a 7,000+ yard test which reminds me of the Robert Trent Jones designed "Blue" Course at the U.S. Air Force Academy where I was a member while on the faculty from 1988 to 1993.We attended the Sunday Brunch last week for the first time and enjoyed our meal. At $16.50 per person (coffee $1.50 extra), the brunch was a decent value. Along with the expected breakfast fare (eggs, a great omelet station, bacon, potatoes, biscuits, gravy, waffles, and pancakes), you can choose from Prime Rib (which looked more like roast beef to me), a fish casserole, assorted vegetables, Au Gratin potatoes, and an assortment of fruit and store-bought muffins and pastries.Pete, the chef at the omelet bar, does an excellent job and the omelet was superb. Beside fresh eggs, you can choose from bacon, ham, cheddar cheese, onions, peppers, and mushrooms. Everything else was fresh and flavorful with a few exceptions. The English muffins in the eggs Benedict had obviously been there all morning and were so difficult to cut with my butter knife that I finally gave up. The "Prime Rib" was actually pre-sliced roast beef (no carving station) in a Bordelaise sauce, tender and flavorful, but not Prime Rib. My only other suggestion would be a dew more dessert options other than slides fruit and store-bought muffins and breakfast pastries, possibly homemade cheesecake, chocolate cake, or pie/cobbler ala mode.The Alvabar and Grill is a large, well-appointed, cozy environment with wood paneling and numerous TVs for viewing sports while enjoying a post-round beverage. A nice selection of draught beers, including Guinness and local craft beers, daily specials, full menu, and reasonable prices make the Alvabar a great place to windown after a round of golf.Early on in our membership, I can say that Alvamar Golf and Country Club is a terrific value, providing superior customer service and individualized attention. CombatCritic Gives Alvamar Country Club An Initial 8 Out of 10 Bombs ... with room to grow ... BOMBS ARE GOOD!

This club has gone way done hill since it was Alvamar. The course is the worst layout I have ever played. This used to be a great 36 hole course with a private and public side, but now the course is so spread out I got lost multiple times while I was playing. You can tell the new owner wanted to use the land but knows very little about golf. I don't plan on ever playing this course again. Lawrence Country Club is now the golf course should go to if in Lawrence. Eagle Bend is even better than this course. It's to bad this course came to this.

UPDATE: After noticing that my card was charged for the second month, I attempted again to communicate with management about my concerns. It has been almost two weeks since then and they have not responded to my email. Today, I got a bill for July. If you want to feel helpless and dismissed, this is the management and club for you.

Received my membership through Hawker apartments and needless to say I am very excited to have a country club membership while at school! Sully's will definitely come in handy when I don't feel like cooking. The pool is massive and will be great for a relaxing day. The workout facility is easily the nicest facility in Lawrence, will definitely be taking advantage of that! Highly recommend the Jayhawk Club and compared to KCCC, IHCC, HCC, and other Kansas City area country clubs, the monthly rates are very low for a great facility and 27 hole course!

I have played here as a guest several times, and have considered membership. However, I'm still "on the fence" about signing-up. The course is very good and well maintained, although can get crowded at peak periods. When this happens, the operation tends to become disorganized and overwhelmed, resulting in unnecessary delays. Staff and club management seem to be generally okay, but I have not been thrilled with the whole "food and bar" situation at Jayhawk. The breakfast/brunch buffet offerings are pretty bland and sits-out for long periods; most choices were lukewarm when I have visited. For other meals, the food has been generally mediocre and the waitstaff seems inexperienced and more interested in chatting with each other than in serving tables. Sitting at the bar can be a 'hit or miss' experience, sometimes waiting quite a while for attention to order drinks. I just don't see the level of attention with the dining and bar service that I expect at a premium golf club. Jayhawk is aiming to become an exclusive, upscale club, but it isn't quite there yet.

This venue was perfect for 150 trivia players! The location is beautiful and clean. The service was great and the technology they provided for trivia was very helpful. If you are looking for a fun, new venue in Lawrence, give The Jayhawk Club a try!

I know private country clubs get a bad rap but Alvamar has everything you and your family need - full golf course, driving range, swimming facilities, tennis, etc. what more could you ask for? Membership fees are pretty reasonable