Examples of a "Public Course" going "Semi-Private"?

[Carl Rogers]

What would it take? Are there any?  I wish Riverfront would.  Mid Pines for one, but others.

Let's not get hung up on definitions.

[BCowan]

....

[Ian Mackenzie]

Kemper Lakes in suburbs of Chicago - site of Payne Stewart's 1989 PGA victory and where the "Grand Slam of Golf" (winners of all 4 majors) was held.


Was the first public-access course to charge $100 back in late 80's.


It's now private with some limited public access.

[Jeff_Brauer]

Ian,


KL can do that, because its well known as my first project as a design associate! 

[Brian Finn]

Royce Brook in NJ opened as a public 36 hole facility, and now is semi-private, with 1 course restricted to member play, and the other open to both members and public.

[Mark Provenzano]

https://www.coyotecreekgolf.com/membership/

Would make more sense if the course were better and didn't have an 8 lane freeway bisecting it. Their goal is to have one course completely private eventually.

[Ryan Taylor]

Oak Pointe Championship in Brighton, MI went from public to private. It was a sad day for the community as the golf course used to offer juniors a summer golf pass for $300 or under. Oak Pointe is now a part of Club Corp.

[Ian Mackenzie]

Ian,


KL can do that, because its well known as my first project as a design associate! 

Jeff, that's awesome.
So, that means you are to blame for that 18th hole...?...!...


Saw Greg Norman drive the green there once.

[Jason Thurman]

I wish Riverfront would...

Let's not get hung up on definitions.

Wait, isn't Riverfront already semi-private? https://thegolfchannel.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/thegolfchannel/course/riverfront/index.htm


I respectfully suggest that it's time for this thread to get hung up on definitions.

[Carl Rogers]

I wish Riverfront would...

Let's not get hung up on definitions.

Wait, isn't Riverfront already semi-private? https://thegolfchannel.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/thegolfchannel/course/riverfront/index.htm


I respectfully suggest that it's time for this thread to get hung up on definitions.

Been at Riverfront for 12 years now and anyone tees it up there.  Course opened in 1999 and the first owner may have the semi-private model.  The course would be better as semi-private at a higher price point.

[Jeff_Brauer]

Ian,


KL can do that, because its well known as my first project as a design associate! 

Jeff, that's awesome.
So, that means you are to blame for that 18th hole...?...!...


Saw Greg Norman drive the green there once.

I have seen several try to drive it, not a great hole. Was originally designed as a classic cape hole, with the green to the right of the right pond.  Someone other than the designer dictated that it move to leave more room for the range, or more specifically, whatever they wanted to put on the other side of the range.  Just an example of the outside influences on gca.


To answer your question, the first two greens I ever drew and then staked out in the field were 11 and 17.  I redrew 14 from some other design already prepared.  I always thought I affected the PGA, since 17 was the only green with a little roll off the back, all others drained forward.  Given Reid couldn't back up to read the putt, due to the lake, he had to make some assumptions, and missed the putt.

[David Whitmer]

I remember playing White Columns in Alpharetta, GA a while back (maybe 15 years ago), and we were told it was going to turn private. I do not know if it did or if it is a private facility now.

[Terry Lavin]

The only people who care are those who play at public courses masquerading as private. That's pretty pathetic.  It's golf.

[BHoover]

The only people who care are those who play at public courses masquerading as private. That's pretty pathetic.  It's golf.

Can't help yourself, can you?

[Tom_Doak]

Pasatiempo started as private, went public after going bankrupt in the Depression, and then went back to semi-private in the 1960's or 70's.  The members own it but they keep some public tee times in honor of the plan that saved it from its demise.  [Plus the green fees keep the dues down a bit.]


I think that's the only way a semi-private course works -- if it's up to the members to determine the "semi" part.  If the course is privately owned by a developer or management company, the membership can't trust ownership to maintain the perks of membership that they are supposedly paying for.

[Dave August]

While I am not sure what happened at the beginning, the Boulders in Carefree AZ has two courses that rotate between the membership and the public on a daily basis. That qualifies to me as semi private (if we are not defining anything here).

[Sean_A]

Pasatiempo started as private, went public after going bankrupt in the Depression, and then went back to semi-private in the 1960's or 70's.  The members own it but they keep some public tee times in honor of the plan that saved it from its demise.  [Plus the green fees keep the dues down a bit.]


I think that's the only way a semi-private course works -- if it's up to the members to determine the "semi" part.  If the course is privately owned by a developer or management company, the membership can't trust ownership to maintain the perks of membership that they are supposedly paying for.

Tom


The interesting aspect of this is I don't ever recall at any of the UK clubs I belong(ed) if there was ever a discussion about visitors: should they be allowed, if so, at what green fee, numbers, days and times. 


The distinction between semi-private and private is meaningless.  Nearly all the clubs in the UK are private, access to private clubs is another matter.  Its the same in the US basically.  Some privately owned clubs are more lax about visitors than others, but many clubs allow visitors in one form or another.


Ciao


Ciao


Ciao 

[BCowan]

Pasatiempo started as private, went public after going bankrupt in the Depression, and then went back to semi-private in the 1960's or 70's.  The members own it but they keep some public tee times in honor of the plan that saved it from its demise.  [Plus the green fees keep the dues down a bit.]

That is very Noble of Pasa and thank you for sharing.  It yet gives another reason why I look forward to playing the track one day.