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country club commercials

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    We all know that many country clubs have been running sick deals lately, but mine just started even advertising on the weather and golf channels.  Feels funny seeing it during commercial breaks or on the ticker under the weather forecast.

    Anyone else experiencing this?

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    I have seen this for a few private clubs in the Boston area. A lot of them are either waiving the initiation fees or allowing you to pay them over 3-5 years.

    This economy has really hit the private clubs pretty hard. It is possible to get right in to Clubs that had 7-10 year waiting lists.

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    19hole

    I have seen this for a few private clubs in the Boston area. A lot of them are either waiving the initiation fees or allowing you to pay them over 3-5 years.

    This economy has really hit the private clubs pretty hard. It is possible to get right in to Clubs that had 7-10 year waiting lists.

    Same things going on out on the west coast.  Clubs are taking their initiations and chopping them up into five payments due one per year over five years. 

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    Earlier in the year a club was calling me quite regular enticing me to join. I had talked to them last year and almost joined but neither my wife or college age children care any thing for the "country club life". But with all the perks and I must say at 59 years old I pay a lot more attention to initiation fees. I was telling the guy that I liked to walk but with my back I no longer could comfortably carry my clubs and now used a 3 wheel push cart (some clubs in the area do not allow these). He told me the club supplies the carts but members pay a "fee" of $10 for 18 holes. perhaps I am cheap but $10 seemed outrageous to rent a push cart. So I am still looking.

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    Many clubs here in the Metro Detroit area are doing the same, waving fees and reducing dues. 

    These tough economic times are hitting these private clubs very badly around here. 

    Still wish I could join even at the discounted rates...but I guess I can alway hope...

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    It's happening in the NYC metro area too. Clubs are lowering their initiations or giving free monthly dues if you join for  more then one year. No matter how they try to entice us, I'll still have to play public.

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    There are a couple of clubs around here that used to have a significant downstroke and have completely waived intiation fees.

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    My club isn't doing anything... I wish they would so we could maybe get some younger individuals there but for now, looks like it isn't going to change.

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    EMKelly0106

    My club isn't doing anything... I wish they would so we could maybe get some younger individuals there but for now, looks like it isn't going to change.

     

    I can tell you that we have had a significant influx of younger new members since our club started the promo.  What's the nicest is that the change has been welcomed by the new members as well as the older membership.

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    My market is a bit weird right now... here's how.

    The main private course here is Point of Woods (I am not a member). They have been the host location for the Western Amatuer event for the past 15-20 years, where pros like Tiger, Phil, Justin, Scott Verplank, and more have participated. Lat year they made the decision that the members didn't want the tournament back, and were willing to give up the income they derive from the event, rather keeping one extra week of playing time for themselves. Subsequent to this decision, over 60 members have left, which makes the financial decision look weak.

    Second deal is this. We have been under development here on a Jack Nicklaus Signature Course called Golf Club at Harbor Shores. It is part of a massive development project here in SW Michigan, with hotels, marina, golf course, and 100's of homes. OK, so after yoy read that you'll obviously say, WHAT?... The ecnomy hasn't killed all this. The answer is, so far, the course has continued to go forward, with the first 9 holes opening in July. The balance of 9 holes are opening next June sometime. Current quote for 18 holes next year; $200-$225. The furor here is that those fees will not allow enough play to sustain the course, so why is the area pumping so much cash into it? Has created a bit of local angst, including environmentalists crowing about some dune and wetlands that were "adjusted" to accommodate holes along Lake Michigan.

    Stay tuned I say, because it will be interesting economically. 

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    Hey Tar Heel, i heard about that decision by Point O Woods and how it affected membership...not a great move by the members or board!!

    Must be a lot of $$$ at the club to be able to forego the Western...