Some couples have opted for themed weddings, such as this one tied to the Roaring '20s, complete with costumes and decorations, held recently at the Grove City Country Club.

GROVE CITY — On the brink of its 100th birthday, the Grove City Country Club is proving that you're only as old as you feel.

Late on a Friday afternoon, the staff is setting the dining room for formal dinner service. But things are a little different these days at the country club, 73 Country Club Road.

On this particular Friday, a local rock band is setting up on the patio, and staff members are loading coolers and premixing margaritas for the evening's live music event, part of the summer concert series Grove City Country Club kicked off in 2016.

Diners seated in the grill room for an early dinner before the concert listen to a staff member explain the dinner selections and the details about “Fresh Friday,” a project to provide farm-to-table food, prepared in innovative ways.

Head Chef Rory Donaldson explained the balance he has achieved between traditional country club fare and innovative dining experiences.

“The holdovers from the traditional menu — like prime rib night and club sandwiches — still exist for those older members who enjoy that element of the country club,” Donaldson said, “but we've added some unique ideas, like locally sourced theme nights to attract a different crowd.”

These changes have extended to outside events, most notably weddings.

“As people's needs evolve, we've been able to change with them, offering some unique wedding ideas, including a recent 'Avengers' and Roaring '20s-themed weddings, complete with costumes and decorations,” Donaldson said.

These changes, and more, have been championed by Robb Knapp, the president of the country club. At just 43, Knapp is the youngest president the collective membership can recall.

As he stopped by tables in the dining room recently, Knapp wore a fitted suit jacket and crisply pressed dress shirt, paired with jeans.

“Jeans are permitted in the clubhouse,” said Knapp. “It was a challenge to get the board of directors to agree to it but well worth the effort.

“Our younger members simply don't want the traditional country club experience; they want fun events like the concert series and family-oriented activities like kids golf night and pool parties. And they want to dress comfortably doing it.”

How are all these changes paying off? Knapp said one of the key indicators of Grove City's success is the number and variety of weddings the club is hosting.

Once a premier destination for regional weddings, Grove City Country Club's volume of weddings tailed off dramatically toward the end of the last decade.

An emphasis on marketing that highlighted the picturesque facilities is credited as a key driver to the uptick in wedding bookings — along with professional event staff members who are empowered to make decisions and recommendations to accommodate even the unique requests.

“These small changes are definitely paying off,” said Knapp. “Our wedding bookings went from nearly none to almost sold out for the peak 2017 season.”

What does the older membership think of the changes?

“I'd say they've approached the changes with a cautious optimism,” said Knapp. “Our base membership is excited to see some fresh new ideas, but happy that we've been able to maintain some of the traditional aspects of a country club these members have grown accustomed to.”