The author of the this article " Death of the Country Club" is not a golf writer or a golf business writer as far as my research shows. He is assistant editor of City Journal. His writing has appeared in City Journal, The American Conservative, The Atlantic, National Review . He has used 3 examples of closed private clubs to generalize the subject and written another " doom and gloom" article. Obviously, he his unfamiliar with my posting of golf course club closings, both private and public, here.
Yes, since the "Great Recession" some clubs have closed because of declining membership or closed because their land was too valuable not to sell and were cashed in; however, those that remain should be placed in different categories. His concluding paragraph doesn't mean anything.
There will always be the " Top Tier Member Owned Clubs" in the major metro areas that will not struggle. We all know who they are without naming names. They are the home of the " One Percenters" for the most part.
The second and third tier clubs may struggle, depending on demographics and location. Some may have been saved already by the influx of capital from Concert Golf and others. Some may go semi-private or even link with Dormie or Boxgroove or others with an influx national or traveling members. Some may close. It's the survival of the fittest for them.
Residential private clubs range from the ultra high end to " active adult" The ones that have failed are not so numerous. The ones that are ultra high end are usually located in highly desirable weather areas, full time or part time, and unless another " Great Recession" happens, should survive.
Private destination clubs, we know who they are, obviously attract the " One Percenters" and the Captains of Industry .
Will there be a " resurgence" of private clubs? Perhaps but not death. As I said, this was just another " doom and gloom" article.