When Michael Jones decided to purchase a golf club located thousands of miles away from his home in the UK, he didn’t rely on glossy brochures or a visit to the property. Instead, he bought East Bay Country Club sight unseen through a fax machine. It was January 1990, and he arrived ten days later in Largo, Florida, to see firsthand what he had just added to his life. What he found was a 100-acre expanse nestled along East Bay Drive that had been a private club since the 1960s. By the late 1980s, the club had transitioned to a semi-public status, yet it remained privately owned. Jones saw more than just a golf course; he saw potential for something different, something that would make it stand out in the community.
Early on, Jones understood the club’s potential to be more than a golf destination. He envisioned East Bay as a venue for special events, particularly weddings. Back in the early ’90s, he introduced an all-inclusive wedding package, a novel concept that bundled everything from the ceremony and minister to the photographer, DJ, and even the wedding cake. This one-stop-shop approach quickly set a precedent, and today, over 90% of wedding venues in the area have adopted similar packages. The package’s success is evident not only in its widespread adoption but also in its ability to create lasting relationships. “We have a wedding next year for the daughter of a couple who got married here 25 years ago,” Jones shared. “And the same DJ and photographer will be at her wedding as were at her mom’s.”
The club’s history teems with unique stories, like the “topless wedding” promotion that became a local legend. Partnering with a local radio personality, East Bay hosted an unconventional wedding where everyone, including the minister and DJ, participated topless—albeit behind closed doors. It was a quirky event that garnered widespread attention and led to over 100 bookings in just one week. This knack for community engagement and creative promotions has kept the club relevant and thriving. Beyond weddings, East Bay hosts various events: trivia nights, bingo, and even monthly dinner shows featuring comedy acts or theater performances. With a lounge bar open daily and special events like free Prime Rib birthday dinners, the club offers something for everyone, further embedding itself into the fabric of Largo life.
Beyond its popular executive-style course in Largo, the club has spent decades serving as a long-standing gathering space for Pinellas County families and event hosts. Regular patrons frequently return to the club’s banquet facilities, with long-time guests now bringing their children to celebrate weddings, retirement parties, and family milestones in the very same room where they once hosted their own events. Behind the scenes, Jones and his staff focus on steady, practical service over corporate trends. Retaining the same core event team for over 30 years reflects a rare level of operational stability, ensuring every tournament dinner, reception, and community banquet runs with practiced efficiency.
For Jones, East Bay Country Club is much more than a business; it’s a community cornerstone where memories are made and traditions are upheld. With each wedding and event, whether conventional or not, Jones continues to shape a space where families come together to celebrate life’s most significant moments. As he looks toward the future, his focus remains on cultivating the same sense of community and connection that has served as the foundation of East Bay’s enduring success, proving that sometimes, a leap of faith can lead to a lasting legacy…