When I first joined my club in late '05 our membership fee was circa £740-£760 per year, when I joined I also had to pay a joining fee (equiv to 2 years membership) also so not cheap for a decent but not best in the area club.
This years letter has come in and membership has now broken the £1k mark (with a 2.x% increase, £50 social levy, union and insurance fees included).
Given that our club played less than 20 weekend qualifiers this year, I feel that it is not good value for money and that no value has been added since joining in 05. This years season ran a scheduled April to almost the end of September...not even the end of September.
I emailed committee back in mid October asking that they consider reschedule the months worth of non qualifying scrambles, greensomes, 4BBB etc events that litter October when the course is in perfect working order and certainly qualifying conditions. At the time I was told it would be brought up at the committee meeting. These meetings have been and gone, minutes posted online and included inside the envelope received today is the calendar for next year...same bloody events. I know for a fact that many of the "competitive" members would rather challenge their handicaps than play team events so it isnt just me having a rant.
Time wise, the course gets wet usually Nov-March with no attempt to add water features/open drainage, though the green staff have been very busy repairing/installing new drainage but understand that work needs done periodically anyway.
Membership wise, our membership average age is 58 and the social events really highlight that with Bingo, Bowls, Dinner dance nights etc, nothing for the "younger" members in their 20's/30's and 40's really.
Looking around at the better courses in Co. Down and across into Belfast, its hard to see why we pay so much (local economy, I know some English clubs are a lot more). If it wasnt for the £2k plus joining fee that I had to pay plus the membership over the last 8 years, I would be leaving tomorrow. Anyone else feeling similarly short changed by their clubs fees rising?:mmm:
This years letter has come in and membership has now broken the £1k mark (with a 2.x% increase, £50 social levy, union and insurance fees included).
Given that our club played less than 20 weekend qualifiers this year, I feel that it is not good value for money and that no value has been added since joining in 05. This years season ran a scheduled April to almost the end of September...not even the end of September.
I emailed committee back in mid October asking that they consider reschedule the months worth of non qualifying scrambles, greensomes, 4BBB etc events that litter October when the course is in perfect working order and certainly qualifying conditions. At the time I was told it would be brought up at the committee meeting. These meetings have been and gone, minutes posted online and included inside the envelope received today is the calendar for next year...same bloody events. I know for a fact that many of the "competitive" members would rather challenge their handicaps than play team events so it isnt just me having a rant.
Time wise, the course gets wet usually Nov-March with no attempt to add water features/open drainage, though the green staff have been very busy repairing/installing new drainage but understand that work needs done periodically anyway.
Membership wise, our membership average age is 58 and the social events really highlight that with Bingo, Bowls, Dinner dance nights etc, nothing for the "younger" members in their 20's/30's and 40's really.
Looking around at the better courses in Co. Down and across into Belfast, its hard to see why we pay so much (local economy, I know some English clubs are a lot more). If it wasnt for the £2k plus joining fee that I had to pay plus the membership over the last 8 years, I would be leaving tomorrow. Anyone else feeling similarly short changed by their clubs fees rising?:mmm:
