Thanks guys, this thread has really improved over the last 2-3 pages of posts.
I was trying to consider, in practical terms, what traveling 3 hours to my golf course/home club would really be like for me, and for friends of mine that are passionate about golf, and have families, etc
Traveling from a big city such as Denver, I imagine would also have its issues, if you are on the wrong side of town travel time would be even more, and why would I want to join Ballyneal, when I can play at CGC, a relly good quality club (?), and then my family all love(and so do I) the lure of the mountains and all the leisure and activity that they offer. (my one trip to BN we got a little lost on the way)
In the end, I think the distractions of our 'normal lives' may reduce the frequency, and then they may also be at the expense of other trips to other annual trips and the like, and in the long run, I think the 3 hour hike would be too far for even the general GCA enthusaists - of course, there will be the 20-50 who for them, it is bliss, but there is a risk that these guys are already part of the 75 existing(?)
What I really do think would be a winner, - and it certainly sounds like it meets Chris' mantra for DR, and also syncs in with Greg's suggestion, and am sure it has been discussed here before - is if all these Denverites are experience and adventure seekers, fun loving outdoor orientated leisure customers, then that will be the model that a successful BN will embrace, a 2-4 day golf experience, 1, 2 or 3 times per year. They are almost a National type member, but without the upfront joining fee, where they go and blow a bunch of money with their golfing buddies, and drive home with big cheesy grins on their faces. This was my 4 day experience with friends in 2010, our experience at BN (with Jim and th Yucca crew) and then at SH - not only rivaled, but probably the bettered the following 4 days at Bandon, and I think we generally thought we had far greater bang for our buck in Colorado and Nebraska than we did in Oregon. Unfortunately, we were unable to squeeze in visits to Dismal or TPC, but this region has the potential to rival the other destination places, not as members only, but as the experience of welcoming return guests once or twice a year, to be made to feel at home. (Regular visitors to Barnbougle Dunes in Tassie, find this experience, greeted and welcomed back every time, as if you were a member. )
The only negative, was the driving, while tired and sunburnt (&hungover), long distances, this could easily be addressed with small coach/bus transfer - think UK golf tour little trucks with a couple of tables for cards, some eskies(coolers), TV, etc
Not enough locals to make survival from private local members only, but would be tons of experience seeking golfers from that same market that could justify blowing $2,000 on a long 4 day weekend, but not $10k upfront and $5k annuals, plus spending money.
Now that really is my two cents, as I have only been there once.