Private clubs now open to the public

[MSchott]

With the changing economy many private clubs have fallen on hard times. In my area two formerly private clubs are now open to the public. Monroe Golf and Country Club and Washtenaw Golf Club are now available to play for the daily fee golfer. And at very reasonable prices. Monroe is $39.00 with a cart and Washtenaw is $40.00. I played Monroe the other day (as a senior I only paid $29.00). It's a Donald Ross design from 1918 but unfortunately it doesn't show much Ross other than most of the routing and nice greenside bunkering. Still, it's a nice layout with many good holes and is very well maintained. I have yet to play Washtenaw but I'm told it's a nicer track than Monroe.

Is this phenomenon happening in your neck of the woods?

[kpaulhus]

That's interesting to hear. I would expect this in 2007, but not now when the stock market is at an all time high. The three local private clubs here have not raised prices, but they are not budging on initiation and fees.

[DaveP043]

13 minutes ago, MSchott said:

Is this phenomenon happening in your neck of the woods?

 

7 minutes ago, kpaulhus said:

That's interesting to hear. I would expect this in 2007, but not now when the stock market is at an all time high. The three local private clubs here have not raised prices, but they are not budging on initiation and fees.

We've seen many clubs advertising heavily for members in the DC area, and offering deals and/or financing of initiation fees, presumably because they're struggling financially, but I haven't seen any of the private clubs allowing daily fee play.  

15 minutes ago, MSchott said:

 It's a Donald Ross design from 1918 but unfortunately it doesn't show much Ross other than most of the routing and nice greenside bunkering.

In my experience, all in the Pinehurst area, the routing and the green complexes are what make Ross-designed courses so special.  I'm curious as to what other Ross features you might expect to see.

Oh, its not a big deal, but you might consider updating your profile to show where you are, at least in general terms.

[MSchott]

I'd guess this depends where you live. In the Metro Detroit area the higher end clubs are doing alright but the more marginal, lower initiation fee clubs like these two have struggled. Both of these had been offering cut rate initiation fees well before the great recession. It's no surprise they did not make it. Monroe defaulted on a loan and a new buyer bought the property at auction. He plans on doing some restoration as well which would be great.

The city of Monroe is very blue collar with Monroe Shocks and La Z Boy being the two largest employers. Both have moved much of their production from SE Michigan.

[Kalnoky]

21 minutes ago, MSchott said:

Is this phenomenon happening in your neck of the woods?

Yes, Creekside Golf Course (73.6/131) a private Peter Jacobsen designed club in Salem, Oregon, has fallen on hard times and is reaching out to the public. The new manager thinks he can save it from becoming spec homes. To think I was once intimidated to play there... 

[MSchott]

4 minutes ago, DaveP043 said:

 

We've seen many clubs advertising heavily for members in the DC area, and offering deals and/or financing of initiation fees, presumably because they're struggling financially, but I haven't seen any of the private clubs allowing daily fee play.  

In my experience, all in the Pinehurst area, the routing and the green complexes are what make Ross-designed courses so special.  I'm curious as to what other Ross features you might expect to see.

Oh, its not a big deal, but you might consider updating your profile to show where you are, at least in general terms.

Thanks Dave. I edited my profile. No doubt that green complexes are part of the Ross signature as well as the routing. The greens at Monroe have nice bunkering but I doubt they are the original Ross bunkers. These greens are also flat and devoid of features as well as being tiny. They have certainly shrunk from their original sizes. There are also no fairway bunkers on the course and no signs of where they may have been originally. Ross liked to place fairway bunkers to give players options to aim their tee shots for the best angle to the greens.

[DaveP043]

2 minutes ago, MSchott said:

Thanks Dave. I edited my profile. No doubt that green complexes are part of the Ross signature as well as the routing. The greens at Monroe have nice bunkering but I doubt they are the original Ross bunkers. These greens are also flat and devoid of features as well as being tiny. They have certainly shrunk from their original sizes. There are also no fairway bunkers on the course and no signs of where they may have been originally. Ross liked to place fairway bunkers to give players options to aim their tee shots for the best angle to the greens.

I agree, flat greens aren't what I expect on a Ross course, nor is a lack of fairway bunkering.  Many of the old Ross courses have been "dumbed down" to make them easier to play and/or maintain.  I've seen plenty of small greens on his courses, but they're interesting as well.  

Although I'm sad that clubs are in financial straits, I can also be happy that many daily-fee golfers are getting a wider variety of courses to play, at least in a few parts of the country.

[CarlSpackler]

My former club back in Ohio closed abruptly 2 years ago. The new owner (who didn't close the deal yet) tried to make it semi-private, but the landowner wouldn't let him. He backed out of the deal and it is now wasteland that will probably never host another golfer. Say what you will about the stock market, but small businesses are struggling. Also, people are having to work longer hours to make up for tighter budgets instead of hiring additional help. This leaves less time for recreation.

Added: This was a course that help many local USGA events.

@DaveP043 - Where do you play in NOVA? I played Algonkian and Brambleton quite a bit when I lived there?

[DaveP043]

I've played both, and was actually the soils engineer exploring the site when Brambleton was being planned.  I live in Reston, and play golf at Stoneleigh in Round Hill.

[CarlSpackler]

Just now, DaveP043 said:

I've played both, and was actually the soils engineer exploring the site when Brambleton was being planned.  I live in Reston, and play golf at Stoneleigh in Round Hill.

Nice. I lived in Reston off of Whiele in Chestnut Grove. I remember the monstrous par 4s at Algonkian. Are they still alive and kicking?

[DaveP043]

The course is still open, and I'm sure doing good business.  I too remember Algonkian as long and tough, with tree lined fairways that were a real problem when I was much wilder (and shorter) off the tee.  I haven't played there in years, though, I spend most of my golf time in Round Hill.

[CarlSpackler]

3 minutes ago, DaveP043 said:

The course is still open, and I'm sure doing good business.  I too remember Algonkian as long and tough, with tree lined fairways that were a real problem when I was much wilder (and shorter) off the tee.  I haven't played there in years, though, I spend most of my golf time in Round Hill.

I always wanted to play TPC Potomac.

[DaveP043]

2 minutes ago, CarlSpackler said:

I always wanted to play TPC Potomac.

I've done that as well, but not since it was renovated a few years back.  Got to play a Member-Guest at Congressional too, I'm sure they're not looking to go semi-private any time soon.

[CarlSpackler]

6 minutes ago, DaveP043 said:

I've done that as well, but not since it was renovated a few years back.  Got to play a Member-Guest at Congressional too, I'm sure they're not looking to go semi-private any time soon.

<<<< Jealous.

[dennyjones]

Sugarbush in Davison use to be private but is now public selling memberships.   Davison Country Club is open to non-members at select times.    I believe more private courses are going this way in mid-Michigan.  

[jsgolfer]

On August 26, 2016 at 0:01 PM, DaveP043 said:

I've done that as well, but not since it was renovated a few years back.  Got to play a Member-Guest at Congressional too, I'm sure they're not looking to go semi-private any time soon.

I've only ever played the renovated TPC at Avenel Farms, very nice course.  I would've joined there if it was closer. Congressional Blue was awesome.  Played that back in March after getting fit for the Edel putter and wedges.

[Natural Patrick]

The 3 private clubs that are within 25 miles from me are all about the same. Except for the cost of what it takes to become a member. They all will let you play their course a couple times are year, as long as you are with a current member. Then you are encouraged to join. They all have membership drives 2 weeks out of the year, where anyone can come play during that time frame. Price's range from $35 to $65 depending on what day you play. There are also 2 public course's within this same area that are rumored to be in series trouble, and may close next year.

[RH31]

The private club that I belong to is struggling a bit. They allow public play on Sunday afternoons along with the occasional scheduled outing.

The public courses around here don't get anywhere near the play they used to. One of them even pushes that foot golf agenda.

I wouldn't know how the upper end clubs are faring.