The End of an Era

[Peaksy68]

After 20 years as a member of my current club, I’ve decided not to renew my membership. It’s been a difficult decision but I have been increasingly frustrated with how things are run and this has had a negative impact in my enjoyment of the game.

The club was bought out by a local business couple and the reduction in club feel has increased over the last few years. It feels like the focus is on occasional visitors to the hospitality side of the club rather than the members who spend money there every week.

I’m moving to another local club that is member owned. The layout isn’t as good, but conditioning is excellent. One of my regular group is moving with me, and the other is moving to a club closer to his home.

My new club is also $800 cheaper and I’ve got permission from the finance manager to spend that on golf as I like

It’s a bit of a surreal feeling leaving somewhere that I’ve spent such a significant part of my life at, but I’m looking forward to reinvigorating my passion for the game and meeting new golfing mates.

[GolfSpy_APH]

1 minute ago, Peaksy68 said:

After 20 years as a member of my current club, I’ve decided not to renew my membership. It’s been a difficult decision but I have been increasingly frustrated with how things are run and this has had a negative impact in my enjoyment of the game.

The club was bought out by a local business couple and the reduction in club feel has increased over the last few years. It feels like the focus is on occasional visitors to the hospitality side of the club rather than the members who spend money there every week.

I’m moving to another local club that is member owned. The layout isn’t as good, but conditioning is excellent. One of my regular group is moving with me, and the other is moving to a club closer to his home.

My new club is also $800 cheaper and I’ve got permission from the finance manager to spend that on golf as I like

It’s a bit of a surreal feeling leaving somewhere that I’ve spent such a significant part of my life at, but I’m looking forward to reinvigorating my passion for the game and meeting new golfing mates.

All the best at the new club and hopefully in short order you'll see the benefits of making the switch.

[revkev]

12 minutes ago, Peaksy68 said:

After 20 years as a member of my current club, I’ve decided not to renew my membership. It’s been a difficult decision but I have been increasingly frustrated with how things are run and this has had a negative impact in my enjoyment of the game.

The club was bought out by a local business couple and the reduction in club feel has increased over the last few years. It feels like the focus is on occasional visitors to the hospitality side of the club rather than the members who spend money there every week.

I’m moving to another local club that is member owned. The layout isn’t as good, but conditioning is excellent. One of my regular group is moving with me, and the other is moving to a club closer to his home.

My new club is also $800 cheaper and I’ve got permission from the finance manager to spend that on golf as I like

It’s a bit of a surreal feeling leaving somewhere that I’ve spent such a significant part of my life at, but I’m looking forward to reinvigorating my passion for the game and meeting new golfing mates.

Best wishes on your move.  I'm sure this was not an easy one.  My thought was at least yours was purchased by local people, the trend in the US is for clubs to be bought up by larger holding companies who then homogenize the club to their brand.  It can go either way. 

 

My club was bought by one about 5 years ago and since then we've had 5 supers and 4 food and beverage managers-  obviously something is up - probably not paying well enough.  From a member's standpoint they should cap the membership, they continue to offer special incentives to join as if we were still in a adverse golf environment.  Every other club in our area followed our trajectory, they eliminated their buy ins, added incentives to join like reduced fees for a period of time or summer memberships (remember that's our off season).  In the past two years all of these same clubs have added back their buy ins, reduced their incentives, done major work on their courses and facilities.  Honestly our course has stood the test of time nicely, it's a Fazio course built in the 80's.  They did some facility up lifting during COVID and work on drainage on the course which is a constant struggle but they need to cap the membership and add back a buy in (perhaps.)  

[Peaksy68]

22 hours ago, revkev said:

Best wishes on your move.  I'm sure this was not an easy one.  My thought was at least yours was purchased by local people, the trend in the US is for clubs to be bought up by larger holding companies who then homogenize the club to their brand.  It can go either way. 

 

My club was bought by one about 5 years ago and since then we've had 5 supers and 4 food and beverage managers-  obviously something is up - probably not paying well enough.  From a member's standpoint they should cap the membership, they continue to offer special incentives to join as if we were still in an adverse golf environment.  Every other club in our area followed our trajectory, they eliminated their buy ins, added incentives to join like reduced fees for a period of time or summer memberships (remember that's our off season).  In the past two years all of these same clubs have added back their buy ins, reduced their incentives, done major work on their courses and facilities.  Honestly our course has stood the test of time nicely, it's a Fazio course built in the 80's.  They did some facility up lifting during COVID and work on drainage on the course which is a constant struggle but they need to cap the membership and add back a buy in (perhaps.)  

The owners are heavily into hospitality and tourism.They own two wineries, a cider house, and 3 restaurants not including the one at the golf club. Our practice range has been converted into an entertainment style range. Unfortunately this focus has spilled through to the golf side of things.

[ejgaudette]

I feel something similar might be happening to at my local course. I was recently bought by a group that manages a resort style course a bit north that is adding as well. They already have tightened things up dress code wise, which I inherently disagree with, and I feel this will only get worse. The tourist golfer will be the thing I think the drive to. There will still be membership, though I am guessing it will soon be much more expensive. Maybe I am wrong but I don't have a good feeling. Not that there is much option. There are no other courses besides these two withing at least 30 minutes or a bit more might be 40. Sorry to hear that has happened, and I hope the new course works out well for you. It sucks that you had to make that change.

[cksurfdude]

On 8/20/2023 at 6:50 AM, Peaksy68 said:

It’s a bit of a surreal feeling leaving somewhere that I’ve spent such a significant part of my life at, but I’m looking forward to reinvigorating my passion for the game and meeting new golfing mates.

Wow TWENTY years! I can see the apprehension about a big change after all that time, but otoh it sounds like it's time for a change... Hope it works out well and you do enjoy the new club!!

Two years ago I joined a course that used to be high end (ie. $$$$$) member run but became, well, distressed and was taken over and recapitalized by a corporate entity that buys and manages golf properties.

There are pluses and minuses vs a member run; but it does appear they respond to member feedback.

And yes, they do seem to be always trying to grow the membership .. in addition to running catered events in the clubhouse .. and this season with more golf members and tourneys and outings it's getting harder to get a tee time...

.. but overall most of the members are friendly, the staff is very nice, the course is generally in good condition, there are other amenities included in the annual dues and it's just a short drive from where we live. 

[revkev]

10 hours ago, Peaksy68 said:

The owners are heavily into hospitality and tourism.They own two wineries, a cider house, and 3 restaurants not including the one at the golf club. Our practice range has been converted into an entertainment style range. Unfortunately this focus has spilled through to the golf side of things.

I can't imagine this at a private club.  Do you suspect that they intend to open the practice area to the public or perhaps offer a different membership level for that area?  Having two well kept ranges and three short game areas where I can hit as many or as few balls as I like and relative peace and quiet is a large reason why I belong to my club.  I'd leave in a heartbeat if they did what you are experiencing.  I'm so sorry.  

[Peaksy68]

1 hour ago, revkev said:

I can't imagine this at a private club.  Do you suspect that they intend to open the practice area to the public or perhaps offer a different membership level for that area?  Having two well kept ranges and three short game areas where I can hit as many or as few balls as I like and relative peace and quiet is a large reason why I belong to my club.  I'd leave in a heartbeat if they did what you are experiencing.  I'm so sorry.  

I’m really looking forward to hitting my own balls off grass. Having to pick them up adds focus

[fixyurdivot]

Sounds like you are making the right decision. No sense staying and being frustrated.  That's one of the downsides to longevity with so many things in life -  point of reference.

[Tom the Golf Nut]

I just went through a change as well. 17 years at my course. It was great, private, and well maintained. There were a few stuffy people but for the most part the membership was good. We decided to move out of state to be closer to family and be able to ditch a mortgage for good. But for as long as I was there I never felt that I really was accepted. 
You know that small town local boys club that didn’t accept “Yankees”.

We are members of a club here now and although it is semi private and the course is not as well maintained (lack of equipment, staff, and turf knowledge ) The atmosphere however more than makes up for it. I’m always invited to play in events. I have played with more people here in 8 months than I played with in 17 years at my old course.

Change can be good. You get to play a new course, meet new people, and give yourself new course challenges. A fresh start so to speak.