Paul Turner,
Let me try to provide some insight with respect to the difference in costs.
First, you have to distinguish between a GOLF club and a COUNTRY club.
A COUNTRY club has a pool, life guards, snack bars with food, beverage and staff costs etc., etc.. and big electic bills to pay for heating the pool. Swim instructors.
A COUNTRY club has tennis courts, a tennis pro shop, a tennis pro, assistants,staff. Big electric bills for night tennis
A COUNTRY club has paddle tennis courts, staff, electric.
All of the above have employee benefit costs, workers comp costs and property, casualty and liability insurance costs as well as maintainance costs.
A COUNTRY club has breakfast, lunch and dinner service which usuallly encompases overstaffing, benefits, Kitchen equipment, maintainance etc. etc..
A COUNTRY club has social functions, dinners, dances, parties and all the costs that are associated with same.
COUNTRY CLUBS seem to have to cater to every member's whim in every area
With all this comes a large administrative staff, office and operational. Managers, controllers, food and beverage managers, staff, waiters, bar tenders, busboys, catering managers, Maitre D's and on and on and on and on.
Wear and tear on the facility due to these activities usually requires refurbishing more frequently.
A GOLF club isn't burdened with many of these ongoing operational and capital expenses.
GOLF CLUBS Are RARE in America.
COUNTRY CLUBS are abundant.
If the economy remains the same or gets worse, I think you'll see more country clubs cut back, but culturally it's hard to do.
Many COUNTRY CLUBS are the social focal point of the local community.
Hope this helps.