Conference 7.286::golf

    
    	Charmingfare in Candia, N.H. Membership fees last year were
    	$400 for single and $600 couple, this is what I was told on
    	the phone last week (I was not a member, I only played the
    	course once). It is a public course, I don't know if members
    	have priority over the public, but would like to know. They
    	have a lounge/snack bar. They have a practice range, practice
    	green, 18 holes, nice course... I was told that in the past
    	they have not limited the memberships...
    
    	Gene

    
    	Come on people, this isn't a read only conference...! I know
    	people are access this file, how about some more people adding
    	to the conference. Surely some of you must know what the fees
    	are for memberships at some courses...
    
    
    	Gene (waiting_to_hear_from_somebody...)

    Here's one ....
    
    			BUCKMEADOW Golf Club
                        --------------------
    
    Location:	Rte 101A,  Amherst, NH
    
    Type:	9-hole (somewhat better than Exec.)
    
    Access:	Public
    
    Facilities:	Club-house  -   (limited) pro-shop supplies
    				hotdogs,snacks (occasionally sandwiches)
    				beer, wine-coolers, soft drinks
    					[no club storage/showers]
    
    Membership:			before 3/1/88	after 3/1/88
    				-------------	------------
    		Couples:	   $600	p.a.	   $650 p.a.
    
    		Individual:	   $400	p.a.	   $450 p.a.
    
    		Juniors(<18)		$250 p.a.
    
    Membership Privileges:
    
    		No Greens Fees
    
    		Lower charges for Cart Rental
    
    		Reserved Tee-times (inc. weekends)
    
    Special Activities:
    
    		Association (operated separately from Club) is
    		responsible for all Tournaments, Handicapping, etc.
	
    			Association Membership fee:  $15 p.a.    
    
                        Tournament fees (in addition) used for
    			prizes (Pro-shop supplies)
    
    
    Hope that covers everything!
    Regards
    R
        		

    	
    	RE: .3
    
    	Thanks for the info R. Any more out there that would like to
    	contribute please do...
    
    
    	Gene

    
    	This years fees at Charmingfare are $450 for single and
    	$700 for married couples. Members are able to make tee
    	times for the following weekend starting at 2:00 on Sunday,
    	non-members can start making tee times on Thursday. There
    	are leagues every day during the week except on Friday, but
    	they only use nine holes, the other nine is open. There is
    	a practice area, you use range balls...
    
    	Any more info on memberships out there...?
    
    	Gene (itching_to_to_get_out_and_play_some_golf)

                    <<< USER$1:[NOTES$LIBRARY]GOLF.NOTE;1 >>>
                               -< The Good Game >-
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Note 906.0                     country club topic                     No replies
CAM::ZIOMEK "Pump up the TEST"                       32 lines  29-MAR-1990 11:38
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    	I'm considering a yearly membership at a local club, soon to
    be country club. I'm curious to see what people who belong to clubs
    are paying not only in New England but around the country. 
    
    	A little about my package...
    
    	First of all I live in Connecticut, and so does the course.
    The course was purchased from the city approximaetly a year ago
    with the understanding that it would remain open to the public.
    The new owner has put up a gigantic club house/pro shop which is
    not 100 percent finished yet, but is really nice. He has also brought
    in a contractor to put up approx. 50 condos in the general area
    which look more like Country style townhomes, really sharp. He is
    slowly remodeling the course, which wasn't that bad to begin with.
    (mostly improved drainage and a few more water hazards). 
    
    	Anyways, here's the deal, the price is $825.00 thru Dec. 31st
    without any initiation fee. When the entire project is finished
    the course name will change with the added suffix of "country club"
    at which point all new members will have to pay the initiation.
    Here's what it includes... unlimited greens fee's, guaranteed morning
    start times on weekends and holidays, guaranteed cart rental, use
    of all facilities(locker room, showers, sauna, tennis courts, etc.
    etc.) assigned yearly locker. 
    
    	Whats coming.... Indoor banquet facility, pool, family style
    restraunt. All comments will be appreciated.
    
    Thanks,
    John-

	Boy Gene you are fast I started replying to this note when it was
	906.0 and ending up getting my reply tacked to the end of the player
	of the decade, because it had been moved. Here goes again,

	Sounds like a good deal in the short term, but I'ld bet in the
	long term the costs will get stiffer.  You didn't mention any
	required spending, restaurant/bar, etc.

	How is the conditioning of the course?  Because it will still be
	open to the public will it still get a lot of play?  Finally do you
	find the course interesting/challenging enough to want to play there
	often?

	Of course with the ever increasing number of golfers and the lack of
	new courses, you may be wise to jump at the chance no matter what.

	Larry

    	Well John, I'm probably not the best one to reply, but what
    the heck.  It sounds like a reasonable price, especially if you
    use all that's available.  But one thing to consider, is how often
    you play and how often you like to play different courses.  I found
    myself, when considering a membership for $750, that I really only
    play twice a week.  Now if you could get in 30 weeks a year, that
    would be 60 rounds of golf.  By the way, all I wanted my membership
    for was golf.  That came to $12.50 a round.  A very reasonable rate.
    But when I took into consideration, the number of rounds that I
    played in other tournaments and such, I lowered the number of rounds
    I would play at my home course, to about 40 to 45 or so.  That brought
    the price per round to $16.66.  Then when I figured, that since
    my league at work doesn't play there, and my league offers a huge
    savings per round, (We payed $4.50 per round and the normal charge
    for 9 holes was $7.00), I would have to quit my league.  So you
    can see why I didn't go for a membership.  I like to play different
    courses too.
    	If you're looking for a place for a family type membership though,
    then places that have pools, tennis courts, saunas and whirlpools,
    etc. are great.  Your wife and/or kids can enjoy themselves why
    you golf.
    
    Beak

    I have been a member of 2 private courses for about 15 years now.  The
    3 years before that I played on a public course.  IMHO  the cost per
    round at a private club is never the issue (with all due respect) when
    considering joining a club.  The issue is can you play when you want to
    play.  Also at most clubs you will eventually find other golfers who
    enjoy playing the way you like to play (competative, casual.....) and
    in a lot of cases meet better players who can help your game.  You'll
    get to know the pro and if he/she is any good will get to know your
    game and help you to improve.  Also you'll probably not be faced with
    5 or 6 hour rounds.  A club membership is usually worth it, at $850 it's 
    a steal. 
    
    
    						KO

    KO, I respect your opinion, and I'm glad that cost is not an issue
    for you.  For me, it is definately an issue.  I just can't afford
    to pay twice as much for golf as I do today.  I would have to golf
    1/2 the number of times to do it.  And when buying a membership,
    you can't play 1/2 the number of times, because you've actually
    pre-paid for ALL your golf.
    	My other reason still stands.  I don't particularly like to
    play 90% of my rounds on the same course.  I've played 4 rounds so
    far this year, and each one on a different course.
    	Now my reply was/is only an opinion, as was yours, and in no way
    was I saying, "Don't get a membership".  I just stated why I wouldn't
    get a membership.

    BEAK

    Beak,
    
    	Your point is well taken about playing different courses.  Over the
    last 10 years while a member at BCC I haven't played many other courses
    because my golf was PREpaid.  
    
    	When I said cost wasn't the issue I didn't mean money wasn't the
    issue.  Money is indeed the issue.  What I meant was that at a private
    club you can play pretty much when you want to play, rounds are usually
    under 4 hours (my experience at public courses is that rounds are in
    excess of 5 hours) and a good pro at a private club will watch the
    members and help them with game.  That's really what you are paying for
    so the cost per round is not the right metric.  I have been fortunate
    enough to be able to afford a membership, my family has not objected
    and in fact has taken advantage of it through the pool.
    
    	This year I am moving to Western Pennsylvania and it will take 2
    years to get into a club.  While I'm not looking forward to playing the 
    muni circuit, it could work out well and perhaps (just PERHAPS) I might
    change my mind.
    
    
    						KO

      KO and Beak,
    
                    I agree that you can't measure the cost per round
    when joining a country club. The value that a membership offers is
    preferred starting times, good conditioning, less crowds and a place
    to bring the family while you golf (if they don't) or let the kids
    learn the game. 
     I find it difficult to put a value on these things. Can I afford to
    join ? Nope, I was offered a membership at Marlboro C.C. this year and
    turned it down. I wish I could join, however. 
     I like to play at different courses, and would not change. Even if
    I belonged to a club. 
    
    
    
    
                                  Ken

    KO,
    	Best of luck to you, finding a new course for membership in
    Penn..  Who knows, once my son get's old enough to play golf with
    me, maybe I'll change my mind about memberships.  I do think, as
    I said before, that they're great for families.  I'm sure my wife
    would sit by the pool for 4 or 5 hours, while my son and I played
    a round, each weekend.
    	Ken, the only course within 10 miles of me, that offered
    memberships, was not what I would consider, a good conditioned course.
    It was more like average.  I will admit however, that you could
    play a round in about an hour less than public courses.  And you
    could get off the tee, on weekdays, about anytime you wanted to.
    On weekends, however, the tee was rather crowded in the mornings,
    but better by noon.
    
    Beak

    re: last few
    Some excellent points to consider by all the responders.  Another
    that I have encountered is the number of golfing members.  In CA I
    have played at clubs that were the same battle on Sat. and Sun. as
    the Muni, with friends of the pro getting start times and others 
    taking what was left.  I always ask if starting times are needed on
    week-ends and how many golfing memberships.  I once found a club with
    a large membership, but most were social members and there was plenty
    of open tee times.
    
    I love playing different courses and do not belong to country club at
    this time.  I've been told that with the raises on the way, I will
    soon be able to afford membership at Riviera.  I'll probably ask for
    assigned parking next to Dean Martin's slot.

    KO...
    
    Let me know where you are going, and I'll check with some friends for
    some courses you can join.  I'm sure you won't have to wait two years
    to join a nice club.
    
    Send me mail...
    
    Rick