JC,
I like Kingsley a lot, as I think you know, and Dan does a great job with the turf, but those clubs out in the sand hills are in the same league. Its not the slam dunk on the turf & architecture like it would be with many other US national clubs. With DR, the Doak/Nicklaus 36 combo will be very strong with both turf conditions and architecture. Ballyneal has outstanding turf and the architecture is obviously some of the best in the country.
All three clubs offer outstanding golfing experiences.
Now, I will grade TC a bit higher then Mullen or Holyoke
And Kingsley wins on the ease of travel as well, but getting out to the Sand Hills is worth the hassle.
I couldn't agree more with the sentiment around the Kingsley Club – I considered joining as national member first when I lived in San Francisco (my wife wasn't as enthusiastic as I was), then again when I moved to Baltimore (slightly more enthusiasm from my wife as we were closer and she thought I would be able to get there more frequently, but not all the way there yet), and finally pulled the trigger when I moved to Michigan three years ago!
I consider it an investment in my happiness and spend almost no time (other then when the topic comes up on the board) thinking about the cost per round. Some of my favorite golfing memories are from the Club and this is just my third season there...
I make 5-7 trips up per year - probably split 50/50 between one day trip, 36 hole trips and the others are either overnights or long weekends. I have had the pleasure of introducing several close friends to the course and I love the multitude of expressions/emotions they go through over the course of their experience - first seeing the 'clubhouse', the look from the porch out at nine green, the view from the first tee, when they first see the "south 40" from the second tee, the option of the south or west tee at nine, the tee box on 12, the 13th green, the 15th green, and finally their look of satisfaction as we shake hands on 18.
I agree with all the "other" benefits of the club as well - conditions, proximity to TC, relative ease of getting there - one thing that hasn't been mentioned is the great staff they have. I am sure Ballyneal and Dismal River are equally as good, but I can't imagine them being any better - if they are - great for them and great for those members.
I am making my first trip up the first weekend in May - can't wait!