Quail Valley Golf Club 

When the Quail Valley Golf Club celebrated its grand opening in January 2004, members and prospects turned out to watch co-designer Nick Price play his creation for the first time. They were treated to a pair of unexpected surprises: The sound of bagpipes cutting sweetly through an early-morning fog and American flags adorning the flag sticks.

It was a scene that exemplified the characteristics developers of Quail Valley are striving to represent at their club: traditional values and old-world charm. Steve Mulvey, renowned in industry circles for his development work at New York’s Hudson National, has brought the same touch to Vero Beach, Florida about an hour north of Palm Beach and the result is nothing short of remarkable. Starting with the iconic clubhouse, a 26,000 sqft beauty with a classic, Northeastern feel and a look that consciously emulates Shinnecock Hills, down to the golf course, which is simply unlike anything you’ll see in Florida, Quail Valley Golf Club turned out top-shelf in every way. A helicopter pad on property is there for good reason: The majority of club members will be second-homers who have selected the Vero Beach Area to vacation, yet are accustomed to the quality and service found at the Best Clubs up North. I didn’t want typical Florida, Mulvey says. “I wanted Shinnecock and I got it.”