Joined a Country Club

[jaxbeachpackerfan]

@ Plaid Jacket.  My Dye's Valley course membership at TPC Sawgrass is essentially a "Golf Club" membership.  Obviously no pool or tennis courts, the sole purpose and function is the golf experience (including great dining facilities).  No minimums or such, however.  We, however, are tag along members to the primary purposes of being the Tour's flagship facility and a golf destination resort.  But we get the same treatment or better as the resort guests at the cost of putting up with an above average amount of course closing events and tournaments and some restrictions on tee times. On the other hand, because we really have no "status", we don't get the jerks asserting their rights to more "status" than others.  Having done the CC route before, and a brief period as a Golf Club member up north, I concur with you and much prefer the golf club route.  (Big caveat--my wife doesn't golf and has no desire for the CC experience, so I get a free pass there).

[jaxbeachpackerfan]

Another Country Club note (looks to be a sad one, I'm afraid).  

 

My course is closed for mid-summer aeration again this week (three times, we're told, in prep for the Web.com tour championship at the end of September).  So the pro made us a tee time at Hidden Valley, a traditional country club in east Jacksonville.  A couple of the serious golfers at the Jacksonville law firm I retired from are members there.  Unfortunately, it's located in an older area of Jacksonville (built up in the 60's and 70's) and, although still a good area, not too far from some questionable areas.  It's been rumored to have problems retaining membership.  

 

The course is great, design is varied and interesting, difficulty is in the approaches and the greens.  Unique in Florida, is has a lot of natural elevation (nearby is purported to be the highest point in Flordia). The fairways and greens were in great shape.  Tees ok.  But many of the ancillary aspects were indicative of a limited maintenance budget.  On course restrooms were in serious need of renovation, sand traps need replenishing and trimming.  Lots of bare sand areas in the rough and ponds were low, weedy, and in need of bank maintenance.  

 

But the more telling aspects were this:  This is a classic country club in a residential area.  Huge pool and tennis facilities.  A spa.  We were there on midday on a Tuesday afternoon.  At any Country Club I've been at (including all of the semi-private clubs I've played at in Jacksonville), the club is packed in summer with kids at the pool, kids and others in the tennis courts, and lots of people on the golf course.  At Hidden Hills, and this is the second time this summer there, it was almost vacant.  No one on the tennis courts, maybe six people at the pool, and we only saw about ten people on the course when we were out there.  Besides us, four people in the grill room after the round (at 3pm).  

 

Now this is a country club that, based on the course, I would consider joining if I didn't have the TPC Sawgrass deal, absent the lack of participation.  It's not that expensive relative to other clubs and semi-private clubs in the area.  I fear for its survival, which given the facilities and course, would be a darn shame.

 

Oh, by the way, our total cost, including cart and range balls, under the club courtesy, was $37.  On comparable value estimation relative to other courses in the area, mid-summer heat rates, would be at least $80.  

 

Guess we should take advantage of the opportunities there before it goes under.  Sad.

[jaxbeachpackerfan]

Did I mention, that back in the 80's they had a PGA Tour event there?

[revkev]

Did I mention, that back in the 80's they had a PGA Tour event there?

This sounds a lot like St Pete Country Club except that the course at St Pete is in great shape. The neighborhood was in the tank big time and it's rebounding. It's hosted tour events and hosts the longest to running Am event in the southeast.

 

Could we add you to our Bayou group and start to search for a date? Sometime after Aug 15? I will also be able to get you on base in October when the Petty Officer returns.

[jaxbeachpackerfan]

This sounds a lot like St Pete Country Club except that the course at St Pete is in great shape. The neighborhood was in the tank big time and it's rebounding. It's hosted tour events and hosts the longest to running Am event in the southeast.

 

Could we add you to our Bayou group and start to search for a date? Sometime after Aug 15? I will also be able to get you on base in October when the Petty Officer returns.

 

Perhaps!  Silver Airlines (anybody heard of them) have like $37 fares between Jax and TPA.  If I had a ride from the airport, might be fun!

[fozcycle]

This sounds a lot like St Pete Country Club except that the course at St Pete is in great shape. The neighborhood was in the tank big time and it's rebounding. It's hosted tour events and hosts the longest to running Am event in the southeast.

 

Could we add you to our Bayou group and start to search for a date? Sometime after Aug 15? I will also be able to get you on base in October when the Petty Officer returns.

 

@Rev & Jax,  I'll be out of town on business Aug 19-21 but other than that let's do it!  I have scheduled my saturday Game for Saddlebrook Palmer course on Aug 15. Cost is $30 and I can bring Guests if anyone wants to give it a go...Be Warned:  9 AM Shotgun Start.

[revkev]

Perhaps!  Silver Airlines (anybody heard of them) have like $37 fares between Jax and TPA.  If I had a ride from the airport, might be fun!

You're on!