Jim,
I'd agree.
A club that relies upon coupon clippers isn't long for this world.
Clubs need members who have jobs.
"Change" doesn't come easy for most, but, clubs that don't change are going to find themselves in a deeper hole than clubs that do adapt.
Jud,
Clubs evolved from simple golf courses to facilities with every amenity known to man.
Workout rooms, pool rooms, card rooms, steam rooms, barber shops, slumber rooms, etc.,etc.
The dining facilities and services expanded.
Clubs expanded their physical plant in order to accomodate parties, weddings, Bar Mitzvahs along with formal dining, casual dining and dining right off the golf course.
Pools now had to have food pavilions
Tennis had to have snack shops, pro shops, etc.etc..
This trend began post WWII and has hit an abrupt wall recently.
All of these facilities and services ran up the operating cost and the cost to join.
It's hard to alter a culture, a way you've been doing things for 65 years, in a year or two.
Especially when many think that this too, will pass quickly and we'll be back to the good olde days shortly.
I see it differently.
In general, clubs need to adjust their culture, their method of operation.
They need to shrink operations and expenses, not just this year, but, for the foreseeable future.
Golf and belonging to a golf club has to be affordable in the here and now, not the past and not how some people perceive it will be in the future.
Scaling back, culturally, operationally, must occur if a club is to survive over the next 5-10 years.
Clubs with significant debt are the most at risk, since there's no scaling back on the interest and principal payments, and that's a deterant to prospective members joining.
End of rant(;
