Courses

Four Memberships For The Price of One

March 27, 2009

We've been saying it for the last few months: In this turbulent economy (in the golf market as well as the overall business world), there are incredible opportunities for golfers. Here is a great example of what we mean:

Four private country clubs in the Tampa, Fla., area -- all owned or managed by ClubCorp -- have banded together to offer a joint membership. The clubs are Hunter's Green, Countryside, East Lake Woodlands and Tampa Palms. The deal is called the "Cross Bay Club membership." Members get access to all four facilities, including 99 holes of golf, 59 tennis courts, six pools and a variety of health and fitness facilities. They also receive discounts on a number of golf-related amenities, including 10 percent off golf cart rentals and 25 percent off food and beverage purchases.

You can't beat the cost: new members pay a $250 fee to join (initiation fees to the four clubs, in better economic times, range between $3,000 and $6,000), and monthly dues of $265 (for members younger than 41) or $415 (for those older than 41). They also sign a one-year loyalty pledge to the club promising not to resign and join another facility for 12 months. Existing members of one club pay the difference in dues in order to upgrade to the Cross Bay Club membership.

For more information, you can visit the club's website here.

-- G.R.