What do courses usually do with members during a update shutdown?

[Jackal]

I looking at joining a course that is opening back up this year in December.

They have already announced that they will be changing the greens from bentgrass, to a hybrid champion bermuda .

This will occur next June.

What do courses usually do with the members making payments during this down time?

I know it varies, and will ask them, but I'm just wondering what to expect, and what the most common way this is dealt with.

Thanks

Edited November 21, 2020 by Jackal

[dlow206]

When my club was shutdown back in March due to Covid for a couple of month, we had to keep paying monthly dues. However, the food minimum was taken away.

[Jackal]

With this being announed already, I'm hoping they won't surprise us with some kind of 'premium' during that time.

[Tom the Golf Nut]

Typically you just keep on paying. They have to pay for the upgrade somehow.

I would check with the course to see if they have any reciprocal arangements with other clubs. My club has one with four other private courses. So if there is anything going on at my course I can go play one of the others for just a cart fee or free if I walk. The only down side is they are all an hour away. Each in a different direction.

At least you can keep on playing if your course has some sort of an agreement with other courses. 

[goaliedad30]

The usual model for this is that you continue paying dues, but they provide reciprocal agreements with other local clubs to allow you to play (at reasonable frequency) at minimal cost (i.e. cart fees only).

[Jackal]

Ok. Thanks guys, that make me feel better.

[HardcoreLooper]

Definitely ask.  Also ask if you'll be getting an assessment.  I would hope that your club has made some reciprocal arrangements.

Where are you located?  Champion bermuda is a wonderful surface to putt on... as long as you're far enough south.  It's a dicey proposition in Richmond, VA.  A couple courses around here went that route and lost greens over a winter when they were not covered well enough.

[Jackal]

11 hours ago, HardcoreLooper said:

Definitely ask.  Also ask if you'll be getting an assessment.  I would hope that your club has made some reciprocal arrangements.

Where are you located?  Champion bermuda is a wonderful surface to putt on... as long as you're far enough south.  It's a dicey proposition in Richmond, VA.  A couple courses around here went that route and lost greens over a winter when they were not covered well enough.

Thanks for that info. I'm in western Arkansas.

Some of the other courses have the bermuda, and this one is planning to change.

It was built in 1996??? with the bentgrass, and now the new owners want to change.

Maybe they'll stick with bent, and we won't have to worry.

 

[DaveP043]

I live near Washington DC, in Virginia.  A few clubs in this area have done renovations, some taking over a year to complete.  In every case, they had reciprocal arrangements with a number of nearby clubs.  I couldn't tell you what they did with dues, I imagine they continued.  I also have a place near Pinehurst (I'm in NC right now).  A bunch of course have changed over to Champion or miniverde dwarf bermuda greens, and its a great surface.  I know that at MidSouth it was only about a 3-month down time, only about 60 days to grow in once planted.  I played maybe 3 or 4 weeks after re-opening, and it was just about perfect, and remains just about perfect.  The grass is very tolerant of heat and drought, and holds up really well during high-traffic times.  The only concern is cold weather, the greens must be covered if significant frost is anticipated.  

[Jackal]

9 minutes ago, DaveP043 said:

I live near Washington DC, in Virginia.  A few clubs in this area have done renovations, some taking over a year to complete.  In every case, they had reciprocal arrangements with a number of nearby clubs.  I couldn't tell you what they did with dues, I imagine they continued.  I also have a place near Pinehurst (I'm in NC right now).  A bunch of course have changed over to Champion or miniverde dwarf bermuda greens, and its a great surface.  I know that at MidSouth it was only about a 3-month down time, only about 60 days to grow in once planted.  I played maybe 3 or 4 weeks after re-opening, and it was just about perfect, and remains just about perfect.  The grass is very tolerant of heat and drought, and holds up really well during high-traffic times.  The only concern is cold weather, the greens must be covered if significant frost is anticipated.  

Thanks for that info. They are predicting the change over will only stop play for 8 weeks.

They plan to do it during what they claim is 'Prime growing season'.

I can handle switching to another course during that time.

[HardcoreLooper]

14 hours ago, DaveP043 said:

The only concern is cold weather, the greens must be covered if significant frost is anticipated.  

And they must be covered properly.  The First Tee of Richmond's downtown location had to learn that the hard way.

[Kanoito]

For us there were no changes. You keep paying and there is no reimbursement, since COVID counts as "force majeure".

But if it's due to renovation, usually they'll have an arrangement with another partner club. 

[Jackal]

Update:

I spoke with the woman yesterday about the details of a membership.

She told us that they anticipate being shutdown for 8 weeks during June & July 2021. 

According to her, you are paying Jan 1st, 2021 to Jan 1st,  2022.

But, your still playing until March 1st, 2022.

They add the 8 weeks, to the end of your contract.

Then, you would start a new contract on March 1st, 2022.

 

Thanks for all the good info.

Just wanted to let everyone know what this course is planning.

[RollingGreens]

That seems like a raw deal. 8 weeks during the prime season of golf would be a tough pill to swallow. It would be nice if they could get reciprocity with another local club go accommodate its golfers even if a small fee is required. 

Edited November 29, 2020 by RollingGreens
Didn’t see the last update

[Jackal]

4 hours ago, RollingGreens said:

That seems like a raw deal. 8 weeks during the prime season of golf would be a tough pill to swallow. It would be nice if they could get reciprocity with another local club go accommodate its golfers even if a small fee is required. 

Yes, I was hoping for it to happen at another time.

The ones working on the greens suggested doing it like this during ( prime) growing season. They even say it's possible to be done in 6 weeks.

[RollingGreens]

54 minutes ago, Jackal said:

Yes, I was hoping for it to happen at another time.

The ones working on the greens suggested doing it like this during ( prime) growing season. They even say it's possible to be done in 6 weeks.

Still 6 weeks during prime golf season. Is the biggest draw at your club the golf course?

[Jackal]

30 minutes ago, RollingGreens said:

Still 6 weeks during prime golf season. Is the biggest draw at your club the golf course?

Yes, it's a course only. There is  housing all around it.

[RollingGreens]

Best of luck over the summer. Hopefully the virus is in check at that time so you have more options!

[Tom the Golf Nut]

Yup, that was a crappy deal. I'll  give you an extra two months in January and February. Gee thanks, because that's when I play my most golf. I guess it still equates to not having to pay for two months. But you still can't play for the two months in prime time.

[Jackal]

3 hours ago, Tom the Golf Nut said:

Yup, that was a crappy deal. I'll  give you an extra two months in January and February. Gee thanks, because that's when I play my most golf. I guess it still equates to not having to pay for two months. But you still can't play for the two months in prime time.

Yeah, June & July is a few rounds a week.

Jan & Feb is maybe 2 a week.

We've been lucky in NW Ark, the past few winters it hasn't been too bad.

I'm self employed and take off at 3 pm and go to the course.

This course is only 6 miles away. 

My son and I have been working at 1st Tee in another about 15 miles away.

They are giving us free golf as thanks ( payment).

We'll let that build up, and then use it during June & July.

 

Another possibility is they might leave these bentgrass.

The past owners have had bentgrass for 25+ years.

[Tom the Golf Nut]

3 hours ago, Jackal said:

Yeah, June & July is a few rounds a week.

Jan & Feb is maybe 2 a week.

We've been lucky in NW Ark, the past few winters it hasn't been too bad.

I'm self employed and take off at 3 pm and go to the course.

This course is only 6 miles away. 

My son and I have been working at 1st Tee in another about 15 miles away.

They are giving us free golf as thanks ( payment).

We'll let that build up, and then use it during June & July.

 

Another possibility is they might leave these bentgrass.

The past owners have had bentgrass for 25+ years.

At least you got another place to play without breaking the bank. I play in North Central Arkansas about once or twice a year in golf tournaments. I stay in the Fairfield Bay area. I played Indian Hills and Tannenbaum.  This year they were canceled. Let's see what happens in 2021.