News:

Welcome to the Golf Club Atlas Discussion Group!

Each user is approved by the Golf Club Atlas editorial staff. For any new inquiries, please contact us.


Adrian_Stiff

  • Karma: +0/-0
Covid 19: Whats your club doing about golf fees?
« on: March 26, 2020, 06:01:43 AM »
Whats your club doing about the golf fees whilst the Covic 19 pandemic impacts the ability to play golf?
« Last Edit: March 26, 2020, 10:01:26 AM by Adrian_Stiff »
A combination of whats good for golf and good for turf.
The Players Club, Cumberwell Park, The Kendleshire, Oake Manor, Dainton Park, Forest Hills, Erlestoke, St Cleres.
www.theplayersgolfclub.com

Sean_A

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Covic 19: Whats your club doing about golf fees?
« Reply #1 on: March 26, 2020, 06:04:53 AM »
Whats your club doing about the golf fees whilst the Covic 19 pandemic impacts the ability to play golf?

No word yet.  I assumed it was hard cheese.

Ciao
New plays planned for 2024: Nothing

Tim Martin

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Covic 19: Whats your club doing about golf fees?
« Reply #2 on: March 26, 2020, 07:06:23 AM »
Whats your club doing about the golf fees whilst the Covic 19 pandemic impacts the ability to play golf?

No word yet.  I assumed it was hard cheese.

Ciao


I can’t imagine that “tough luck pay up” will be the way forward.

Sean_A

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Covic 19: Whats your club doing about golf fees?
« Reply #3 on: March 26, 2020, 07:18:46 AM »
Whats your club doing about the golf fees whilst the Covic 19 pandemic impacts the ability to play golf?

No word yet.  I assumed it was hard cheese.

Ciao

I can’t imagine that “tough luck pay up” will be the way forward.

In my case the money is already paid!  If we don't pay for staff etc, where will we be when things go back to normal?  I can understand the following year's dues being reduced if there has been virtually no golf offered and the club accounts can take the hit, but a large number of clubs won't be able to offer any such reductions.

I see that Westward Ho! isn't expriring their dues until the end of March 2021 rather December 2020.

Ciao
« Last Edit: March 26, 2020, 07:42:06 AM by Sean_A »
New plays planned for 2024: Nothing

Erik J. Barzeski

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Covic 19: Whats your club doing about golf fees?
« Reply #4 on: March 26, 2020, 07:38:01 AM »
Nothing at any of the clubs here, but we usually aren’t playing much this time of year anyway.


One local private club asked for $75 extra per member to help meet payroll.
Erik J. Barzeski @iacas
Author, Lowest Score Wins, Instructor/Coach, and Lifetime Student of the Game.

I generally ignore Rob, Tim, Garland, and Chris.

Tim Martin

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Covic 19: Whats your club doing about golf fees?
« Reply #5 on: March 26, 2020, 07:39:38 AM »
Whats your club doing about the golf fees whilst the Covic 19 pandemic impacts the ability to play golf?

No word yet.  I assumed it was hard cheese.

Ciao

I can’t imagine that “tough luck pay up” will be the way forward.

In my case the money is already paid!  If we don't pay for staff etc, where will we be when things go back to normal?  I can understand the following year's dues being reduced if there has been virtually no golf offered and the club accounts can take the hit, but a large number of clubs won't be able to offer any such reductions.


I see that Westward Ho! isn't expriring their dues until the end of March 2021 rather December 2020.

Ciao


Sean-It’s definitely going to be a balancing act for all involved. Most private clubs in the U.S. bill monthly and despite needing the cash flow realize that a hard line on dues while closed will have some running for the exits. I think some new membership models will morph from this not unlike what happened in 2008.


John Kavanaugh

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Covic 19: Whats your club doing about golf fees?
« Reply #6 on: March 26, 2020, 07:39:47 AM »
I've played golf now for over 50 years and the amount of available days due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances varies from year to year. I've never seen members offer to pay more during an unusually warm winter or dry summer. Why should we get a refund now?

Mark Chaplin

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Covic 19: Whats your club doing about golf fees?
« Reply #7 on: March 26, 2020, 07:50:56 AM »
JK did members at your club continue paying dues throughout world war 2?
Cave Nil Vino

John Kavanaugh

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Covic 19: Whats your club doing about golf fees?
« Reply #8 on: March 26, 2020, 08:05:42 AM »
JK did members at your club continue paying dues throughout world war 2?


Given that we got in on Dec 7th I would guess that anyone who cared before Christmas was considered out of touch with the subject at hand. In other words, yes the people who were members of clubs in the 40's continued to support the club.

Adrian_Stiff

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Covic 19: Whats your club doing about golf fees?
« Reply #9 on: March 26, 2020, 08:06:03 AM »
This is what we did:
With regards to the membership renewal, we have had many calls and emails from worried members and appreciate these unprecedented times mean anxiety and confusion for many of you. We are all just trying to survive both physically and economically with as little disruption to the money chain as possible.
Rest assured that we are doing all we can to keep memberships fair for all, we have always acted that continued membership deserves loyalty and under use deserves discount off the next years fee, over 20% of our membership received a rebate on their subscription this year, no other club operates that degree of fairness. We have also given Gold, Platinum and Colt members the option to deduct £100 if they do not wish to have the range as part of their package.
From April 1st We will be implementing additional REBATE rules that will relate to the Covid 19 Pandemic that has impacted your ability to use the golf course and range.
The REBATE scheme will refund to your membership this year any day the range is closed due to Covid 19 at 27p per day, if you have the range package and you are a Colt, Corporate, Platinum, Gold or Silver member. This represent 1/365th day lost.
The REBATE scheme will refund to your membership 1/365th for every day lost that the golf course is shut due to the COVID 19 virus. The rate will be at 1/365 of the loyalty rate for each category as of April 1st 2020. This will apply to all categories of membership except COUNTRY AND JUNIOR.
The amount of REBATE is unknown at this stage but when we understand more about the situation we will publish these figures. No one will be charged for anything that they have not used due to COVID 19. This continues our policy of always being fair to our membership, rewarding loyalty and repaying unused golf.
The amounts owed will be paid either the reducing the number of DDs at the end of your plan or altering the later amounts. Members who have already paid in full will receive a payment back, though the exact method we are not sure yet.
In these difficult times the Club needs your support more than ever to remain maintained during these critical times. Whilst the clubhouse is essentially closed our staff need to be paid that fall outside of the governments help. Please do not cancel your DD payments.
Your current membership is up to March 31st 2020 and if you are unpaid at that time your membership will cease, that is obviously your choice, but if you join again later you would need to start again like a new member. If you have any rebates due you need to exercise these by March 31st. Any loyalty you had will be lost.
We are actively monitoring the situation and we will continue to inform you of updates as and when we get them. We hope to open the course open as soon as we have the right directive and hope safe social distancing golf and walking is good and accepted, and the closure will be short.
Thank you to all the members that have already re-joined and sent in some kind, encouraging words during this very uncertain time. We really do appreciate it. Once again, thank you for your patience, understanding and cooperation during this time of uncertainty. We will get through this together!
If you have received the letter about the need to self isolate for 12 weeks or are over 70 years of age you will receive 84/365th reduction in your subscription. Email us with the title 12WEEKSISOLATE so we can maintain as a record.
We will be fair.
Thank you and stay safe out there.
Claire Chappell
Accounts

Attachments
Marketing No
A combination of whats good for golf and good for turf.
The Players Club, Cumberwell Park, The Kendleshire, Oake Manor, Dainton Park, Forest Hills, Erlestoke, St Cleres.
www.theplayersgolfclub.com

Ian Andrew

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Covic 19: Whats your club doing about golf fees?
« Reply #10 on: March 26, 2020, 08:10:41 AM »
JK did members at your club continue paying dues throughout world war 2?


I've researched a number of private clubs, which occasionally included reading about the war years.
This is going to be an amalgamation of mainly Canadian city courses, so I've melded a few things together into one answer.


Golf remained in a very cut down version of itself and was tremendously impacted by rationing.
The memberships were decimated and often the fiances were carried by the wealthiest people in the club.
They did this to keep their clubs alive. Big clubs were ok, smaller clubs struggled.


Numerous clubs turned over land for vegetable gardens or let part of the property go fallow.
I have a picture of sheep on a golf course in one of my files, but I can't remember where.


Clearly the clubs never went away, but as the war extended, the hardship for the clubs became more difficult.
The closures didn't come early, most of the closures came closer to the end.
One of the impacts was the shear numbers of people who were lost to the war.




You have seen this photo right?
Can you name the very famous course?



With every golf development bubble, the end was unexpected and brutal....

John Kavanaugh

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Covic 19: Whats your club doing about golf fees?
« Reply #11 on: March 26, 2020, 08:14:06 AM »
As millions enlisted to fight did a single individual whine about not walking down the aisle at graduation? It's tough to compare society now with then. We can't even get people to stay at home with all the modern amenities for two weeks.

Ronald Montesano

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Covic 19: Whats your club doing about golf fees?
« Reply #12 on: March 26, 2020, 08:43:29 AM »
We clearly need editors


-COVID 19, not Covic.
-In Ian's words, it's good to know that the fiances were carried by someone.


This just tickles my elbow-pit. I'll go away now.
Coming in 2024
~Elmira Country Club
~Soaring Eagles
~Bonavista
~Indian Hills
~Maybe some more!!

John Kavanaugh

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Covic 19: Whats your club doing about golf fees?
« Reply #13 on: March 26, 2020, 08:45:50 AM »
We clearly need editors


-COVID 19, not Covic.
-In Ian's words, it's good to know that the fiances were carried by someone.


This just tickles my elbow-pit. I'll go away now.


What happened to this guy in a foxhole?

Sean_A

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Covic 19: Whats your club doing about golf fees?
« Reply #14 on: March 26, 2020, 09:09:40 AM »
We clearly need editors


-COVID 19, not Covic.
-In Ian's words, it's good to know that the fiances were carried by someone.

This just tickles my elbow-pit. I'll go away now.

Ooookay. 😎

Ciao
New plays planned for 2024: Nothing

Duncan Cheslett

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Covic 19: Whats your club doing about golf fees?
« Reply #15 on: March 26, 2020, 09:25:34 AM »
In the UK golf club fees are generally billed annually and are payable in full. If monthly payment is offered it is normally via a third party finance company which pays the club in full and then collects regular payments from the member plus an interest charge.


The vast majority of clubs have a membership year running April-March with fees due on April 1st. The combination this year of a very wet winter leaving many courses unplayable and then Covid 19 has left clubs facing a membership retention catastrophe.


I applaud Adrian for his creative thinking on this. Clubs need to do what it takes to hang on to their members.


Sadly, I suspect many clubs will hemorrhage members and face a financial crisis in 5 or 6 months time when the money runs out rather than lasting all year as would be expected in normal times.


I am very happy that Cavendish bucked the trend some years ago and moved the renewal date to January 1st. Our membership is already committed for this year.
« Last Edit: March 26, 2020, 09:30:49 AM by Duncan Cheslett »

jeffwarne

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Covic 19: Whats your club doing about golf fees?
« Reply #16 on: March 26, 2020, 09:39:32 AM »
Very sensible solution Adrian.


As I read about the plight of many clubs,in particular Brora, I wonder if prepaid deferred Country or Internation membership could help them with cash flow.
Doesn't really help the regular membership situation at clubs, but could help tide them over-especially those on the brink.


My solution would be to allow someone to prepay NOW for a country or International membership, and be allowed to defer use of it until next year'. Brora for example, is struggling and is offering an International Membership, but who would buy it knowing they can't travel this year.
Such an offer would create some cash flow, and the worse case would be a bit of a bump in play the following season if all were to return to normal, and may be a source of new members should turnover hit clubs this year.
"Let's slow the damned greens down a bit, not take the character out of them." Tom Doak
"Take their focus off the grass and put it squarely on interesting golf." Don Mahaffey

Tim Martin

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Covic 19: Whats your club doing about golf fees?
« Reply #17 on: March 26, 2020, 10:11:16 AM »
Very sensible solution Adrian.


As I read about the plight of many clubs,in particular Brora, I wonder if prepaid deferred Country or Internation membership could help them with cash flow.
Doesn't really help the regular membership situation at clubs, but could help tide them over-especially those on the brink.


My solution would be to allow someone to prepay NOW for a country or International membership, and be allowed to defer use of it until next year'. Brora for example, is struggling and is offering an International Membership, but who would buy it knowing they can't travel this year.
Such an offer would create some cash flow, and the worse case would be a bit of a bump in play the following season if all were to return to normal, and may be a source of new members should turnover hit clubs this year.


Jeff-Not unlike 9/11 I believe you will see discretionary international travel greatly  curtailed over the next few years. The two biggest factors being fear and financial wherewithal. That said I like your idea and hope it catches on.

Thomas Dai

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Covic 19: Whats your club doing about golf fees?
« Reply #18 on: March 26, 2020, 10:14:35 AM »
I've just paid my subs in full for the next 12 months.
I want my club to continue and to continue to flourish once this difficult period is over. Salaries and bills have to be paid in some way or another. I'm sure many others at numerous other clubs feel the same as well although I appreciate that some individuals have personal financial issues to balance.
It may well be that club memberships drop alarmingly. My Club however, has been going for 140 yrs having survived two world wars, various periods of social unrest and numerous economic depressions so I'm sure it'll continue. How many folks pay for it to continue is another matter though as is equity in payment patterns between those who will continue to pay as against those who will drop out and then attempt to come back once Covid-19 has been dealt with.
atb




archie_struthers

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Covid 19: Whats your club doing about golf fees?
« Reply #19 on: March 26, 2020, 10:16:51 AM »
 ??? 

Adrian that's a great question and eventually each club will have vastly different policies. Member owned clubs that are well funded will likely do nothing and just view it as an act of God. Struggling clubs may well have to reduce their fees to retain members, further exacerbating their troubles.  Some may just throw in the towel and close or sell.


There is no panacea for everyone and like most golf operational decisions they will be greatly impacted by location.  ;D  it will likely have no effect on municipals funded by taxpayers.   (sorry , couldn't resist)
« Last Edit: March 26, 2020, 10:21:39 AM by archie_struthers »

Mark Stewart

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Covid 19: Whats your club doing about golf fees?
« Reply #20 on: March 26, 2020, 10:27:47 AM »
Any word from England Golf, Scottish Golf, etc about suspending their levy this year?


I believe the US Associations should also suspend dues this year. PGA, USGA, State Associations, etc.

Kalen Braley

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Covid 19: Whats your club doing about golf fees?
« Reply #21 on: March 26, 2020, 10:47:31 AM »
Ian,


Are those the lodges at Pebble Beach?  If so I always figured PB was a cow pasture!  ;D

Mark Pearce

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Covic 19: Whats your club doing about golf fees?
« Reply #22 on: March 26, 2020, 10:49:48 AM »
As millions enlisted to fight did a single individual whine about not walking down the aisle at graduation? It's tough to compare society now with then. We can't even get people to stay at home with all the modern amenities for two weeks.
As the crisis deepens, we become almost completely aligned.  Or I'm becoming a cantankerous old sod.
In June I will be riding the first three stages of this year's Tour de France route for charity.  630km (394 miles) in three days, with 7800m (25,600 feet) of climbing for the William Wates Memorial Trust (https://rideleloop.org/the-charity/) which supports underprivileged young people.

JMEvensky

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Covid 19: Whats your club doing about golf fees?
« Reply #23 on: March 26, 2020, 10:55:41 AM »
Isn't the photo ANGC?

Mark Pearce

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Covid 19: Whats your club doing about golf fees?
« Reply #24 on: March 26, 2020, 10:55:56 AM »
Adrian,


I applaud the position you are taking.


Duncan,


I'm a member of 3 clubs (Northumberland, GHC Elie and Crail GS).  Crail and Northumberland have, and have had for as long as I have been a member, 1 January to 31 December membership years, Elie is, I think, 1 November to 31 October.


I have, therefore, already renewed all three (and Northumberland and Elie for my eldest son and Crail for our twins).  We got an e-mail from Northumberland today which suggests that some members have been asking questions about fees.  Frankly, so far, I remain in a position to bear the cost and like Thomas, one of the rays of light that helps me stay cheerful(ish) is the prospect of getting back out on all of those courses later in the year.
In June I will be riding the first three stages of this year's Tour de France route for charity.  630km (394 miles) in three days, with 7800m (25,600 feet) of climbing for the William Wates Memorial Trust (https://rideleloop.org/the-charity/) which supports underprivileged young people.

Tags:
Tags:

An Error Has Occurred!

Call to undefined function theme_linktree()
Back