Country Club Questions

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have to say Congressional (yes, Congo) has hands down the best facilities. Golf is clearly the best and the renovated pools, dining and workout area is tops. It's pretty incredible.

Very strong argument for having the best facilities (and yes, it is close especially with respect to golf) at Congo, but the membership as a whole is weak. That has always been the problem.

What an odd comment. Care to elaborate PP?

(I also can't figure out your comment that the golf is "close." What do you mean? Is hosting the US Open next year not good enough?)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have to say Congressional (yes, Congo) has hands down the best facilities. Golf is clearly the best and the renovated pools, dining and workout area is tops. It's pretty incredible.

Very strong argument for having the best facilities (and yes, it is close especially with respect to golf) at Congo, but the membership as a whole is weak. That has always been the problem.

What an odd comment. Care to elaborate PP?

(I also can't figure out your comment that the golf is "close." What do you mean? Is hosting the US Open next year not good enough?)

I would agree with the pp. Membership at Chevy Chase and Columbia is much smaller (I believe Congressional has around 2,000 active golf memberships) while Columbia and Chevy Chase have under 1,000 active golf memberships. People seem to know each other better at the smaller two clubs than at Congressional.

I don't think anyone would question Congressional's golf pedigree, but there is more to quality golf than hosting big tournaments. Chevy Chase has hosted any number of big tournaments but due to the length of the course and its location, it has not hosted a US Open or anything of that caliber. Columbia has hosted a US Open and a US Junior Amateur. In short, I know many people who would much rather play Columbia and Chevy Chase as opposed to Congressional's Blue Course, but that is not to take away anything from Congressional. They are all excellent courses.

[Anonymous]

We are very interested in joining Columbia, but it seems like a challenge to make it through the application process - 10+ recommendations including someone who will back you financially. Any ideas on how to maneuver through this process when one does not know 10 members, much less anyone who will "co-sign". From what I have heard, Columbia is an absolutely wonderful club for families - great activities, and nice/cool members. Bethesda CC and Congressional are also great - Congressional is offering fantastic incentives to young members, we would definitely consider Congressional just live too far. Any insights on the application process would be appreciated. Also, for Columbia if you are under 40yo (I think) you can pay your initiation over 4 years. I do not remember what the monthly dues /minimums are - does anyone else know? Thank you so much!!

[Anonymous]

Does Columbia still require one man on the tee?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are very interested in joining Columbia, but it seems like a challenge to make it through the application process - 10+ recommendations including someone who will back you financially. Any ideas on how to maneuver through this process when one does not know 10 members, much less anyone who will "co-sign". From what I have heard, Columbia is an absolutely wonderful club for families - great activities, and nice/cool members. Bethesda CC and Congressional are also great - Congressional is offering fantastic incentives to young members, we would definitely consider Congressional just live too far. Any insights on the application process would be appreciated. Also, for Columbia if you are under 40yo (I think) you can pay your initiation over 4 years. I do not remember what the monthly dues /minimums are - does anyone else know? Thank you so much!!

Can you tell me more details about Congressional's incentives?

[Anonymous]

Congressional is offering incentives to their Jr Members (age 21-34 who grew up in the club) to keep the families in and the turnover down. You have to pay part of your bond at 30 and then the rest of it by 35 at which point you are a full resident member.

[Anonymous]

How do people know so much about multiple clubs? I can't imagine you actually belong to more than one...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does Columbia still require one man on the tee?

No

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'll ask what a few of us are afraid to ask.

Which country clubs would qualify at the "Big Three," to borrow DCUM language.

Congressional Country Club, Columbia Country Club, and Woodmont maybe in Moco.

Sorry, but no.

It's: Congressional, Chevy Chase Club and Kenwood.

then
Burning Tree, if you're really a full blown anti-semite.

Kenwood????? What are you smoking. The course stinks, it's incredibly short and the club is owned by a for profit private corporation whereas at Columbia, Chevy Chase and Congressional, members OWN the club and control how money is spent. Kenwood is decent as a B level club, but it does not compare to Columbia, Chevy or Congressional. Any honest member there will tell you the same.

Also, Burning Tree has plenty of Jewish members - no women, so get your facts straight.

Agreed, Kenwood is a good club, but not even close to the other three.

Kenwood isn't as polished as the larger clubs mentioned, but the golf course -- while a little shorter than the others -- is quite challenging and in terrific shape. Long Par 3s and Long par 4s. The greens are mostly elevated and fast and flat lies on your second shot are tough to come by on most holes unless you are supremely accurate off the tee. It is a tougher course for mashers without a sharp short game than any of the bigger courses. The athletic/fitness facility is state of the art -- easily best in class. Kids programs; esp. swimming are tops. Plus it is sooo convenient for families west of Wisconsin Ave. Ownership clubs are a pita. You never know when that next assessment will come calling.

[Anonymous]

They all are suffering, long gone are the days of long long wait lists, you have the cash your in. By cash I mean pay at one time not some sort of over time payment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They all are suffering, long gone are the days of long long wait lists, you have the cash your in. By cash I mean pay at one time not some sort of over time payment.

I would disagree for the more popular clubs. Most over some sort of payment over time, especially for legacy. For the poster asking about getting 10 recs, you would want to ask the friends you do know to introduce you to order members, maybe have a cocktail party of BBQ.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How do people know so much about multiple clubs? I can't imagine you actually belong to more than one...

Not that PP but between our neighbors and kids' school friends we know families at at least 5 clubs. We don't belong to any of them but I would be 100% comfortable asking any of these families for details about their clubs so knowledge isn't limited to members.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'll ask what a few of us are afraid to ask.

Which country clubs would qualify at the "Big Three," to borrow DCUM language.

Congressional Country Club, Columbia Country Club, and Woodmont maybe in Moco.

Sorry, but no.

It's: Congressional, Chevy Chase Club and Kenwood.

then
Burning Tree, if you're really a full blown anti-semite.

Kenwood????? What are you smoking. The course stinks, it's incredibly short and the club is owned by a for profit private corporation whereas at Columbia, Chevy Chase and Congressional, members OWN the club and control how money is spent. Kenwood is decent as a B level club, but it does not compare to Columbia, Chevy or Congressional. Any honest member there will tell you the same.

Also, Burning Tree has plenty of Jewish members - no women, so get your facts straight.

Agreed, Kenwood is a good club, but not even close to the other three.

Kenwood isn't as polished as the larger clubs mentioned, but the golf course -- while a little shorter than the others -- is quite challenging and in terrific shape. Long Par 3s and Long par 4s. The greens are mostly elevated and fast and flat lies on your second shot are tough to come by on most holes unless you are supremely accurate off the tee. It is a tougher course for mashers without a sharp short game than any of the bigger courses. The athletic/fitness facility is state of the art -- easily best in class. Kids programs; esp. swimming are tops. Plus it is sooo convenient for families west of Wisconsin Ave. Ownership clubs are a pita. You never know when that next assessment will come calling.

I'd trade a small assessment here and there for complete membership control and ownership of the club.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They all are suffering, long gone are the days of long long wait lists, you have the cash your in. By cash I mean pay at one time not some sort of over time payment.

I would disagree for the more popular clubs. Most over some sort of payment over time, especially for legacy. For the poster asking about getting 10 recs, you would want to ask the friends you do know to introduce you to order members, maybe have a cocktail party of BBQ.

This is very true - Columbia, Chevy Chase and Congressional all have multi year waitlists.

[Anonymous]

Columbia's wait list is only for golf.