I really like Dormie but I still don't understand how it is going to work as a private club. If they build cabins, etc. similar to Ballyneal, the problem that arises is staffing. You build accommodations for 24 which requires food and beverage staff. In order to give good food and service you need full time employees but you won't have enough golfers to support full-time quality cooks, wait staff, etc.
The other concern I have is how do you compete with other private clubs in the area plus semi privates like Pine Needles/Mid Pines. Non-resident memberships are available at CCNC and Forest Oaks which both have 2 courses. You of course have all the courses at Pinehurst. I just came back from Arizona and played with some guys who are regulars at Talking Stick. They said they paid $99 for an annual membership which gave them one free round in the off season and then a reduced rate of $79 the rest of the year. Something like this is what I see a possibly working where guys like myself would come down on a somewhat regular basis and keep the club active. (You might even require a spending minimum which would include green fees.)Then non-resident/visitors would pay a higher fee. Tee Times would be blocked off each day for the visitors at the higher rate.
Jerry:
The model provides for limited local memberships (80-100ish), which supply a steady stream of lunch and dinner business, plus daily play, with national members coming for stays of multiple days, often with guests in tow. Corporate memberships allow a small number of designees to bring clients/customers, often in larger numbers (say, 12 total players) for a couple of days.
Having a core group of local members who eat a couple of times (or more) a week definitely helps.
The model works surprisingly well with small number of full-time service staff. An excellent bartender who knows how to run the front of the house goes a long, long way. Of course, staff ends up wearing many hats, but that's what happens at any boutique facility in the hospitality industry.
The core, though, is an unforgettable golf experience. A great golf course and excellent playing conditions will make or break the entire proposition. That's what the Peeds are focused on as the centerpiece of Dormie (and their other clubs).
Would love to have you back to Ballyhack this year so you can see our improvements yourself!
WW