[TEPaul]

I just asked on another thread for those who've played both to compare and contrast the short open 18th at TOC to the short open 18th at North Berwick.

And as these things sometimes do it reminded me of an interesting story---this one about novel ways to join a golf club.

A friend of mine who's with the USGA and I were playing North Berwick for the first time two summers ago before going down to the Walker Cup at Ganton. It was our first round of the trip.

Ahead of us was a nice four ball of two husbands and wives. The one we really got to know later was Mr and particularly Mrs Majors. Mrs Majors was more than a little attractive, as I recall.

Anyway during the course of the round my friend from the USGA managed to hit Mrs Majors in the ass at least twice and possibly three times. If you think about it that'd be damn hard to do even if you were trying.

Anyway, although I think we did a pretty good job of waving and seemingly profusely apologizing from about 200 yards I was a bit concerned what this would result in so we high-tailed it into the bar following holing out on that short and open 18th at North Berwick, bought them all the drinks we could force down their gullets---they actually ended up buying us some, plying us with golf books to take home and before that friend of mine was out of there Mrs Majors had proposed him for membership at North Berwick.

What are some of the oddest ways anyone you know of became a member of a golf club?

[Brian_Gracely]

I played in the US-Am qualifier with a guy who had played a few years on the mini-tours.  After about 14 holes we both decide that we're not going to make the cut and start yip-yapping about places we've played.  He tells me that he just got back from a trip to Philly and had played Merion and Pine Valley.  At Pine Valley, he and his boss got paired with two members and apparently his boss is a good player as well.

Apparently the guy and his boss are down 4 with 5 to play, and his boss proceeds to birdie the last 5 holes and they win the match.  One of the members they were playing with was so impressed that he sponsored him for membership on the spot.  The guy accepted the sponsorship, but apparently had some trouble convincing his wife that the initiation was a good idea since he didn't live anywhere near NJ.  

[Dan Herrmann]

He may be the only person ever to turn down a PV membership, the pig  

[Jim_Coleman]

   I once defended a member of an admissions committee who was sued by an applicant whose application for membership was denied.  The theory of the suit - defamation.  Damages - lost business opportunities for not being a member of a club at which any Philly businessman "must be a member."  Result - the guy's now a member of the club.  My guy agreed to abstain from any future votes.

[Bill_McBride]

Jim, that would not be a problem at our club - we use the old box thing with black and white marbles so it's strictly a secret ballot of the board.  Of course I guess the black ball-ee could sue the whole board.

[Lou_Duran]

I recently played with a guy whose dad is a member of PVGC, Shinny, Winged Foot, and Westchester.  It seems that 30 years ago it was much easier getting into these clubs.  He played PV with a friend and a member for the first time, shot a decent but not outstanding score, and was told over drinks that he would be getting an invitation.  This guy, a New Yorker with a new business and a young family indicated that he probably couldn't justify it, but changed his mind when the invitation was delivered and the initiation fee was but a couple hunderd dollars.

Another acquaintance played Shinny in the late 1970s with a business associate and with little or no due diligence, was immediately asked to join.  His initiation fee was $200.

An older gentlemen I played this year married a daughter of the president of a hyper-exclusive top 10 club. He was made a member even before the marriage was consumated.

The caddie master at another well-known club was given a membership upon retirement in recognition of his many years of outstanding service.

[TEPaul]

"An older gentlemen I played this year married a daughter of the president of a hyper-exclusive top 10 club. He was made a member even before the marriage was consumated."

Lou:

I knew some membership committees could be intrusive but I never knew one could be that intrusive. Were they hiding under the bed?

[Mike_Trenham]

Two of my best friends at my club have been there over 25 years.  

But one day in 1976 they were playing at the public course where they were members.  They get paired up with two older guys who can't play at all or remember which way it is to the next hole.   It takes them three hours to play nine holes.  Andy says to Jim were leaving were taking a ride.  Andy takes Jim to our club they sit in his car in the bottom of the parking lot and strategize how they can join the club.  Jim realizes he used to drink alot with a the new wife one of our members.  They are members within a few months, the club has never been the same, and that is a very good thing.

[Lou_Duran]

TEP,

This particular gentlemen has a very special way about him.  He apparently has an abundance of money and membership at numerous clubs internationally.  That he is European, having a committe representative in the matrimonial suite wouldn't be that big of a deal, provided that she was attractive and did what she was told.  I wish I would have met this guy 30+ years ago.  He could have taught me many useful things.  BTW, the committee in this case probably consisted of just one member- his new father-in-law.

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