Ballyneal isn't a competitor of ours - we compete with everything else.
Chris, if you don't mind, I would love for you to expound on this a little further...
Chris - don't mind at all.
We don't compete...Dismal River and Ballyneal use different models, and are 3ish hours apart. Both are great. Managements and most members are friendly. I think some members may naturally measure their club against the other, golfwise, but there is little debate about lodging and culinary...what we call the experience. Dismal is more than 2 times the size of Ballyneal (2 courses/78 guest beds) and each appeals to a different audience. Ballyneal is mandated walking and we give people the choice to walk or ride...this too appeals to different audiences. Dismal does, maybe 10%, of "couples" business on weekends so we are very mindful of both the male and female sides of golf. We enjoy when the ladies come out and consider them a big part of our future. We have an exercise room, theatre room, cool firepit, poker and pool rooms for evening activities...also part of the experience. Both clubs have great members, and I'm thrilled when a guy or gal joins either.
It's funny, seldom does a member candidate at Dismal say they are choosing between the two, and I'd wager it's the same at Ballyneal. There are a lot of "pot stirrers" around here that almost wish for an unhealthy relationship...parsing every word...stuff the people involved on both sides find funny. It's kind of like the guy in the upper deck screaming at the player
in the game on the field. Both clubs have, dare I say, colorful pasts. I honestly don't spend any time thinking about what Ballyneal is up to - we collaborate alot and probably know some things before the members do. We are what we are, and the focus is on a terrific experience. The guys and gals who join Dismal know we as owners are committed long term, and this is a long term proposition. I don't have any idea about that at Ballyneal but know it has been painful. I know how hard the people at both places work to make magic happen for a wide range of people. If anything, as Jim said, I think we compliment each other regionally.
I'm a lighterning rod for some on GCA, kind of "small ball" in my opinion. Imagine someone telling you that you shouldn't comment here due to a perceived competition that doesn't really exist. Pretty silly, actually.
We compete with everything else...This is
the challenge for us and the game of golf. People are more busy than ever, with work, family, and myriad other interests including good golf in alot of locales. We are very fortunate that there are people who want an oasis...a place to get away for a few days to a cool place with family and friends. I was thrilled to see Jim Colton's earlier port about celebrating his birthday with family at his club...a place he loves that isn't exactly next door. That's pretty cool. We have the same here at Dismal - committed members who love the place, who make the club a priority, and travel far to get here. Some here think of these clubs as a second home...or second family.
We don't compete with your local course, or club. In a big way (with travel involved) we compete with Disney, Vegas, the Beach and other "getway and recharge" places. That's why the lodging and culinary have to be excellent, and women are welcome. We also share a fair amount of crossover play with Ballyneal and Sand Hills...and that's a good thing for all! The game and place are about fun, and if you can't have fun here, we realize there are other options.
Hope it helps.