Country Clubs in Westchester NY

[TheGolfingDetective]

Okay, not sure where this should be, forum wise, but I was curious how one exactly goes about applying to a private club. My wife is amazing enough (and makes enough money, owning her own company) to want to go around and check out a few Westchester County private clubs, mainly for her to relax and tune out and for me to golf. Now, being a cop, I obviously can't afford this on my own and don't have any connections to recommend me, if that's a necessity. She makes the real money, and told me to try to find a few places to apply.

Now I realize in this part of the country, memberships can run $50,000 (No, she doesn't make THAT much money). So I really have two questions:

1. How do you walk into a club and inquire about membership options, and

2. Does anyone know the start up and yearly costs of some clubs in the lower Westchester, NY area?

As always, appreciate any responses.

[DJYoshi]

Okay, not sure where this should be, forum wise, but I was curious how one exactly goes about applying to a private club. My wife is amazing enough (and makes enough money, owning her own company) to want to go around and check out a few Westchester County private clubs, mainly for her to relax and tune out and for me to golf. Now, being a cop, I obviously can't afford this on my own and don't have any connections to recommend me, if that's a necessity. She makes the real money, and told me to try to find a few places to apply.

well you've always got Westchester CC in Rye, NY. Mamaroneck isn't too far from Yonkers either so you've got the prestigious Winged Foot.

Ardsley Country Club is OK, but not worth it joining. Hampshire Country Club is pretty nice. and my favorite - Pelham Country Club. I don't know how their memberships work..but the more prestigious courses don't accept outside solicitation for membership information. You'd need to be sponsored by a member who will give you the info on joining: bond/initiation fees yearly dues etc The others you can just call and inquire. If you drive along the Hutchinson or the cross county there's a good 20 country clubs along that route. you're also in yonkers, so I wouldn't mind traveling 15 minutes north into CT and check out private clubs there too. As far as walking into a private club to inquire, some places from my experience frown on that. When I played at NY Country Club last year.... all they did was question who I was...ignore me inside the pro shop....and then repeatedly questioned who I was with whenever my friend left me all by my lonesome to run off and talk to someone else. it's understandable....but some places go overboard with it and make you feel like an ass

[gortyl]

Let me preface this by saying that I have never played in Westchester County, but am familiar with the area and several of the private clubs there. I would say there is a 90% chance that there are zero private country clubs in that area that you can get into under $75k initiation, more likely $150k plus. Now, there may be some local munis that offer an annual discount or something, but for a full service country club (golf, range, casual dining, pool, tennis, etc.), I'd be shocked if you'll find anything under $75k (not to mention most of those clubs up there are $1k per month absolute minimum). And to finally add to DJ's point, you need a sponsor to have a chance.

[DJYoshi]

would say there is a 90% chance that there are zero private country clubs in that area that you can get into under $75k initiation, more likely $150k plus.

That sounds about right. I know that when we played at Winged Foot, the member that brought us had to brief us on EVERYTHING before we went there. They're pretty strict there. and to add onto that, i think that initiation's upwards of 200

And to finally add to DJ's point, you need a sponsor to have a chance.

Some cc's have a rigorous background check on your family, income, etc. They're just trying to make sure that you're good people and of course.. good people with $ to burn on what they require. The upper echelon clubs you're looking into the 15 - 20k on member dues each year.

And yes, just b/c you have a sponsor....doesn't mean that you'll be approved and accepted as a member. It's happened to someone that I know. And at that point, it's hard NOT to take it personally.

[golf_junkie27]

http://www.golfable.com/golfcourses/...ster_County_NY

Above is a link to golf clubs and courses in Westchester. My suggestion is to call and ask if they can send you a brochure with detailed information. You have nothing to lose.

[pmorris]

As a member at Saint Andrew's in Hastings, I would encourage you to call our office at the number listed on the webpage.  Interested applicants can arrange to meet members and interview for membership.  Costs varied quite a bit, but most golf clubs actively encourage new membership and many have lowered rates based on the dramatic changes seen in the economy since 2008.

http://www.saintandrewsgolfclub.com/Guest.aspx

914-478-3500 Main

[LC1227]

Gentlemen, indeed there are country clubs in Westchester that cost the ridiculous amounts you've mentioned in some of the comments, e.g., $75K - $200K+ initiation fee plus $1-2K per month playing privilege costs as well as extra for the pool and tennis and minimums for food, but most of the posts indicate that that includes every club in the county. There are several excellent clubs with fine courses that have initiation fees or even returnable deposits of $12K to $25K and golf costs in the neighborhood of $500 to $1,000 per month (12 months a year though). Even this is high by most standards, but the idea that you can't join a club in Westchester with less than $300K to $400K just to start with is plain wrong. And I'm not talking about the few lousy clubs in the county either. And the proper way to find out about a particular club is to go to the club's website and fill out whatever form they may have there telling them that you're interested. Golf club memberships have dropped dramatically in the last 20 years right along with the number of avid golfers in the country. 25 years ago there were 20-25 Million regular golfers (more than 20 rounds per year) in the U.S.. That number has dropped dramatically to less than 20 Million. Some estimates put the number closer to 15 Million avid golfers. Many many courses and clubs have closed permanently. Others have had to use creative financing to stay afloat and many now use management companies to run their clubs and keep a close eye on the money. Ridgeway Country Club in White Plains is closed (I've heard though that there were some financial mistakes made by the membership, but I never imagined that lovely golf course would ever sit vacant and poorly mown and otherwise maintained in my lifetime. Dutchess Golf and Country Club in Poughkeepsie, a magnificent golf course is either gone or about to be. The list is extensive. The point is that prices aren't what they once were and there are deals made out there, even in Westchester because many clubs need members. Right now it's a buyers market. And at most clubs if you have the money and they need members, they will find you a sponsor. Don't give up before you try.