should I stay or should I go (membership)

[barb]

Having been a member of my current club for 4 years and the ladies captain for the last 2 years, I am in a quandry about renewing my membership. I have played a part in the running of our club, it has been hard work but I have enjoyed it.
It is a nice course to play with a small cosy clubhouse and is ideally placed being within 10min from my home and the members are very friendly but over the last 2/3 months the course condition has been deterioting rapidly and service has become very poor (fairways are not being cut as regularly, green's condition poor, tee boxes very woolly etc).
Complaints have been going in left,right and centre to the owner regarding the state of the course, pay and play golfers are dwindling and members are resigning daily.
The owner built up the club from scratch about 20yrs ago and has now had enough (there doesn't seem to be any interest in the course from the owner or staff). The club has been up for sale for about 6 months with virtually no interest. About 2 weeks ago the land was advertised in our local paper as being sold as farmland with a small description of "incoporating a golf course", the golf course takes up all of the land!!!!.
Membership is expensive for what we get £650 pa, no pro shop, no driving range, limited changing facilities, no practice area etc.., you literally get the small club house and the course (27 holes, 9 of which are virually useless as they flood with the slightest bit of rain, I have only ever played that 9 once).

I think I have just answered my own question, I'll be writing my letter of resignation later this week.

Maybe I'll be a nomad golfer for a while and start playing a different course each week, what do you think?

Thanks for listening guys & gals

 

[Dave3498]

Sounds like resigning is the right decision Barb. You're not getting a lot for your annual fee. Have you got the opportunity to join another club locally?

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Barb,

Shop around. Most clubs I know are screaming out for lady members and as a captain you should have no trouble getting in. I would have thought for the money you are paying on what you clearly describe as a sub-standard course with little practice facilities or pro shop, you will be able to find something much more suited. I'm sure it will also have a positive effect on your game to play on a course you enjoy and not having to worry about the ourse, its upkeep (or lack of) and fielding queries and complaints

 

[krokodil]

Barb,I'm sorry to hear about the situation at your club, especially as it sounds as if you've put in a lot of time and effort to the club.

The situation you describe is somewhat familiar to me, there is a club in Devon, owned privately, which is up for sale, the members are jumping ship very fast as they realise the owner has lost interest in the continuance of the club , so from being a thriving club last year, it has become a white elephant for the owner.

I guess that any committee you may such as a greens committee need proposals ratified by the owner?

Keep your chin up, and I'm sure that you'll find another club only to happy to accept someone willing to contribute as much time and effort as I think you have.

 

[barb]

There are afew local clubs within a 10 mile radius of my home but I am wondering if maybe just playing other courses for a while will renew my enthusiasm and help with improving my game as being a member I tended to rarely play other courses and playing Drayton last week really did open my eyes.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

krokodil,

Can I be nosey and ask which club you refer to. I have heard a rumour through some good contacts that the Ashbury Manor set up which has grown to two full size courses plus three nine hole loops, and a beginners course may be going up for sale

 

[krokodil]

Homer,

Ashbury Manor, as far as I know, is now a compilation of four 18 hole courses, though not a venue I would make any effort to play.

Teign Valley is the one I was refering to, though the Manor way well be up for sale too.

 

[Herbie]

I feel sorry for you, I have been member at a similar club and experienced the sudden neglect and deterioration you are having.
Nothing wrong with Nomad golfing, you may find a jewel if you look around. I myself have just let my membership expire for similar reasoning and now enjoy a trial membership £40 for 2 months at a great club that I think I will join. Its only been going about 6 or 7 yrs but great course and friendly membership of mainly unpretencious people.If you feel like driving to Lincolnshire Barb, there are plenty of clubs that would have you and welcome you with open arms.

 

[GB72]

I agree that it is time to leave. At the moment there are clubs crying out for members. Take my club for example, 30% discount if under 35, deals when couples join together and give it a couple of months and they will sign you up and start the membership on the spot and run it through to the following April.

By the way Herb, where do you play in Lincolnshire? Am on the border myself and play near Grantham

 

[barb]

Thx guys, I'm just gonna enjoy my golf and see where it takes me

 

[viscount17]

barb, I don't think you're leaving the club, it's leaving you. good luck and enjoy the search.

 

[AliB]

Barb
sorry to hear yuor club has gone off the boil. Like you say, it should be fun looking around and taking your time over the decision of where to go next.
we have a lot of frustration with our club too, though in different ways (not interested in membership, just raking in the shekels from pay and play)but at the moment things are looking up. We now have two fulll 18s and the bar has been refurbished. They have even started to rebuild the (dire) Ladies loos. What more can a girl want

Haven't forgotten we were going to try and meet up some time - maybe we could find somewhere between Bristol and Banbury? Are you free any week days?
PM me with any thoughts.

AliB