Now through the end of October, Bunker Hill Golf Course will serve more than 3,000 partiers its delicious, customizable clambake
By Ken McEntee
In Carousel, Nettie laments that she shouldn’t have eaten “those last four dozen clams.”
In Rogers and Hammerstein’s world, clambakes included codfish chowder cooked in iron kettles with salted pork and red-hot lobsters. But the most important thing about the “Real Nice Clambake” was that “we all had a real good time.”
Chad Gibson, general manager of Bunker Hill Golf Course, in Medina, thinks so too.
“Clambakes in Northeast Ohio are mainly an excuse to have a big party,” says Chad, who expects to serve more than 3,000 partiers at Bunker Hill in September and October at its clambake events. “In a lot of places around the country, they’ve never heard of a clambake. In Northeast Ohio, it’s a fall tradition that nobody wants to miss. It’s not so much that everybody absolutely loves the clams—they just love a party to go to.”
That’s why Bunker Hill invites you to substitute steak or shrimp skewers for the dozen clams that come with the traditional half chicken, potatoes, corn and clam chowder.
“Only about a third of the people actually order clams with their bake,” reveals Chad, who has handled hassle-free clambakes for families, organizations and other groups at Bunker Hill for seven years. “A third will do steak and the rest will do shrimp skewers.”
But those like Nettie—who clearly loves her clams—have the option of ordering an additional dozen. Or four.
Bunker Hill will offer clambakes—starting at $44 per person—in three venues, Chad explains.
“For a traditional outdoor fall experience, we have our pavilion, with bonfires, s’mores and cornhole,” he tempts.
Those who enjoy a ritzier—and maybe warmer—spin on the bake might book indoor dining with linen tablecloths in the Bunker Hill event center.
Or, you can play “golf” while you chow down in the Sims Room, which features six Tiger Woods Pro 2.0 full swing simulators.
“The simulators have fun games like Showdown Golf, where you try to hit the guy in the golf cart as he’s picking up balls on the driving range, or hitting targets,” Chad says. “We also can set up cornhole in the Sims Room. It’s a fun and more intimate venue for smaller parties.”
Bunker Hill makes it simple to host a clam bake.
“When you book your event, we will build a website and create a flyer and a Facebook event page for you,” Chad says. “All you need to do is share the link with the people in your group and they can go on and individually register and pay online. It couldn’t be easier.”
Bunker Hill clambakes are offered for groups from 24 to 150 people.
“Just like our other events, clambakes are popular for class and family reunions, birthday parties, and anniversaries,” Chad says. “They are awesome for neighborhood gatherings where people want to get together, but nobody wants the hassle of hosting, cooking and cleaning up. We take care of everything.”
Clambakes will be offered seven days a week in September and October.
Meanwhile, the simulators will be open Friday, November 1, through Tuesday, April 1, for leagues, lessons and practice.
“Even though the summer season is coming to an end, we do golf outings all winter long for fundraisers and diaper parties for expecting dads,” Chad says.
You can book your event or get more information by emailing chad@bunkerhillgc.com or calling Chad at 330-725-1400, option 3. You can learn more about golfing, special events and fundraisers at BunkerHillGolf.com and keep up with the latest news on Facebook @BunkerHillGolf. Bunker Hill is located at 3060 Pearl Road, at Hamilton Road, in Medina.