'A neighborhood spot': Weathervane in Weymouth caters to more than just golfers
WEYMOUTH − When the state closed restaurants at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the clubhouse at Weathervane Golf Club had been open for just six days.
The clubhouse's ability to weather the pandemic and establish itself as a popular spot is what co-owner Will O’Connell said makes Weathervane Golf Club "a true success story."
The clubhouse and event space is a joint venture of O’Connell, senior vice president at Marina Bay Management, and Jim Bristol, of Bristol Brothers Development Corp., which owns Weathervane Village and Golf Club in South Weymouth. The development includes housing for people age 55 and older and nine-hole golf course.
O'Connell said the vision for the clubhouse was "intimate, cozy and comfortable," and a good spot for families to get out for a bite to eat or friends to gather.
"Jim and I worked so hard to finish our original vision, which is a public tavern where locals and residents come for a variety of good food all at affordable prices," O'Connell said. "This past season was so successful and we came into our identity as a true neighborhood spot and we're still being discovered every day."
During the golf season, O'Connell said the goal is to make patrons feel like members for a day as they sit back on the deck with a peach Bellini or margarita in hand and watch golfers on the club’s ninth hole or listen to live music on a summer evening.
"A lot of people who have fallen in love with this place aren't connected to golf," he said. "I hear all the time that we're the best hidden gem on the South Shore."
O'Connell and Bristol partnered on the Range Bar and Grille in Hingham, a 7,000-square-foot restaurant with an outdoor patio, indoor golf simulators and a 97-bay outdoor public driving range. O'Connell also owns Granite Links in Quincy, the Chantey and Waterclub in Marina Bay and Hull's Local 02045.
Weathervane general manager Sean Casey said its menu has something for everyone and changes throughout the year to reflect the seasons. Some favorites are hand-breaded tenders with dipping sauces made from scratch, a tavern cheese dip and a smash burger with two patties and melted cheddar cheese that Casey said "looks like it could be in a television commercial."
"You can get a burger anywhere, but we serve at least 100 a week," he said.
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Weathervane also recently introduced its own bar pizza with a thin dough, a crispy crust and a variety of toppings. Culinary director David Todisco said they originally started out with a Regina-style pizza with more of a doughy crust, but quickly shifted gears to bar style.
"We have a great pie that rivals the best in the area," he said.
Pizzas are half off from 8 to 10 p.m. every night, and the tavern offers a 16-ounce prime rib special for $27 on Thursdays.
Kelly O’Connell, Marina Bay Management's director of business development, said the event space at Weathervane is a huge draw for the clubhouse and something needed on the South Shore for everything from weddings to birthday parties. The larger room has space for more than 100 people with large glass windows overlooking the golf course, as well as a private bar, bathrooms and a patio space.
Since the start of the pandemic, O'Connell said many couples are scaling back weddings and going for more of a party vibe. Weathervane offers a "buyout" option, where couples can rent the entire clubhouse and host the ceremony, cocktail hour and reception on-site.
Weathervane Golf Club
Where: 117 Clubhouse Drive, Weymouth
Hours: Kitchen open from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. and pizza until 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday with brunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Contact: 781-812-1723 or weathervanegolfclub.com
This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Weathervane in Weymouth caters to more than just golfers
