Country Club Questions

[Anonymous]

Testing. Not sure how to make comments anonymous.

[Anonymous]

I am familiar with most of the clubs mentioned here and very familiar with the Chevy Chase Club, where I have many friends who are members. This message is just to clear up some inaccuracies about Chevy Chase.
There may have been a time when Chevy Chase Club practiced discrimination, but that time is long past. Chevy Chase has white members, African-American members, Jewish members, men members, women members; you name it, they have it.
A number of the postings here talk about "golf memberships" at the various clubs. Chevy Chase has various classes of memberships - non-resident members or student members, for example, but none of them restrict the member to only using parts of the club or certain activities at the club. Golf, tennis, swimming, dining, etc. are available to all members of the club.
The initiation fee at Chevy Chase is about $85,000, and monthly dues are about $600. Certain classes of members, students, for example, pay lower dues, and children of members pay lower initiation fees.
Chevy Chase is 100% a family club as opposed to being a business club. Cell phones, laptops, and pdas are not allowed to be used on the club grounds except for laptops to be used for children's homework in one location. Business papers are not to be used/written/whatever; for example, you can't sit in the dining room and discuss a business deal marking up contracts.
"Important people" don't get in any quicker than regular people. There is a three year waiting list that everyone goes on except the children of members, who are considered right away.
The Chevy in Chevy Chase does not have a silent "h" as someone suggested. When people refer to it as Chevy, as some do, it is pronounced the same way as the Chevy is in Chevy Chase Village. One thing Chevy Chase members do not call their club is "Chevy Chase Country Club." It is simply Chevy Chase Club.

[Anonymous]

PP - thank you for the very informative post! I appreciate the insights on Chevy.

[Anonymous]

Im a dark skinned asian minority and hold memberships in one of the three C clubs as well as a couple of the clubs in the city and another one. They are as diverse, open, and friendly as you can get. In fact, I often feel more comfortable and at home at my clubs than any other place because I know I will be treated fairly. The staff and other members are great and I have established many great relationships.

I think the problem with most people who oppose clubs or have issues with the membership is the same as in a class based society. Its just simple jealousy. That's all there is too it. People cannot stand that others can enjoy the fruits of success by providing luxury for one self or their family.

Let me site some examples of the same thought process of those who oppose private clubs:

1) I would never want to live in a big house because its a lot of work to keep it clean

2) I would not want to drive an expensive car because someone could crash into it or it might get keyed

3) $100 for a steak dinner at The Palm. Meat is meat.

The truth of the matter is that anyone in their right mind would love to belong to or go to a private club as a guest. Get over it. This society rewards people for their hard work, doing great in school, and going beyond the baseline. If their children benefit, then that's life.

And honestly, everyone who is showing anger towards club members needs just mind their own business and go on with their life.

I worked one full time and two part time jobs and went to college full time. I started my company in my early 20s and worked 80 hour weeks and still do. Im sure many private club members share my work ethic and my story. We join clubs to reward ourselves and to thank or families for tolerating our time away at work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Im a dark skinned asian minority and hold memberships in one of the three C clubs as well as a couple of the clubs in the city and another one. They are as diverse, open, and friendly as you can get. In fact, I often feel more comfortable and at home at my clubs than any other place because I know I will be treated fairly. The staff and other members are great and I have established many great relationships.

I think the problem with most people who oppose clubs or have issues with the membership is the same as in a class based society. Its just simple jealousy. That's all there is too it. People cannot stand that others can enjoy the fruits of success by providing luxury for one self or their family.

Let me site some examples of the same thought process of those who oppose private clubs:

1) I would never want to live in a big house because its a lot of work to keep it clean

2) I would not want to drive an expensive car because someone could crash into it or it might get keyed

3) $100 for a steak dinner at The Palm. Meat is meat.

The truth of the matter is that anyone in their right mind would love to belong to or go to a private club as a guest. Get over it. This society rewards people for their hard work, doing great in school, and going beyond the baseline. If their children benefit, then that's life.

And honestly, everyone who is showing anger towards club members needs just mind their own business and go on with their life.

I worked one full time and two part time jobs and went to college full time. I started my company in my early 20s and worked 80 hour weeks and still do. Im sure many private club members share my work ethic and my story. We join clubs to reward ourselves and to thank or families for tolerating our time away at work.

I'm sorry, but not everyone wants to belong to a country club. My parents belong to a fantastic country club and it doesn't appeal to me at all. The food is okay and the pool is nice but if you aren't into golf or tennis what is the point? I do admit I use the gym when I'm visiting them. I will agree that a lot of people want more money...who wouldn't? I'd love to have enough money to join one of these clubs but if I HAD that much money, I'd spend it on other nice things, not a country club membership.

Country clubs just seem very old school to me. I'd much rather belong to a premiere fitness facility or something along those lines.

[Anonymous]

I agree that there are plenty of people who have the money and the connections to join a Country Club but not the desire. What's the pull if you don't enjoy swimming, golf or tennis?

We live in a comfortable, but not large, house. We could have bought a mansion if we had wanted and have money in the bank to buy a one in cash now. I love our house, we don't really need the extra space and honesly have no desire to move.

Signed,
Someone with more than enough Palm points to have my photo on the wall if I wanted (but I don't).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree that there are plenty of people who have the money and the connections to join a Country Club but not the desire. What's the pull if you don't enjoy swimming, golf or tennis?

We live in a comfortable, but not large, house. We could have bought a mansion if we had wanted and have money in the bank to buy a one in cash now. I love our house, we don't really need the extra space and honesly have no desire to move.

Signed,
Someone with more than enough Palm points to have my photo on the wall if I wanted (but I don't).

We belong to a CC and we enjoy it, but it sounds like you have your head on straight and you know what's important to you and what's not. Your comment reminded me of a Sheryl Crow lyric that I always liked, "It's not having what you want, It's wanting what you've got." You seem to have it figured out. BTW, we saw her show at Wolf Trap last year and it was a fun night out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree that there are plenty of people who have the money and the connections to join a Country Club but not the desire. What's the pull if you don't enjoy swimming, golf or tennis?

We live in a comfortable, but not large, house. We could have bought a mansion if we had wanted and have money in the bank to buy a one in cash now. I love our house, we don't really need the extra space and honesly have no desire to move.

Signed,
Someone with more than enough Palm points to have my photo on the wall if I wanted (but I don't).

We belong to a CC and we enjoy it, but it sounds like you have your head on straight and you know what's important to you and what's not. Your comment reminded me of a Sheryl Crow lyric that I always liked, "It's not having what you want, It's wanting what you've got." You seem to have it figured out. BTW, we saw her show at Wolf Trap last year and it was a fun night out.

No. Someone with their head on straight doesn't post this. They don't read this crap, they don't get all tingly about how they could do this and this but don't. They go to the club and then have fun with their families and think about the things that matter to them.

Only someone INTO it reads a Country Club Questions thread. Me? I don't belong, and I'm into it, like I'm into watching Real Housewives. Different issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree that there are plenty of people who have the money and the connections to join a Country Club but not the desire. What's the pull if you don't enjoy swimming, golf or tennis?

We live in a comfortable, but not large, house. We could have bought a mansion if we had wanted and have money in the bank to buy a one in cash now. I love our house, we don't really need the extra space and honesly have no desire to move.

Signed,
Someone with more than enough Palm points to have my photo on the wall if I wanted (but I don't).

We belong to a CC and we enjoy it, but it sounds like you have your head on straight and you know what's important to you and what's not. Your comment reminded me of a Sheryl Crow lyric that I always liked, "It's not having what you want, It's wanting what you've got." You seem to have it figured out. BTW, we saw her show at Wolf Trap last year and it was a fun night out.

No. Someone with their head on straight doesn't post this. They don't read this crap, they don't get all tingly about how they could do this and this but don't. They go to the club and then have fun with their families and think about the things that matter to them.

Only someone INTO it reads a Country Club Questions thread. Me? I don't belong, and I'm into it, like I'm into watching Real Housewives. Different issue.

We watch Real Housewives and we really like it a lot, but I understand that some people may not enjoy it as much as we do, because those women can be very cranky sometimes.

[Anonymous]

I can't resist checking out any thread that gets long.

(I'm not sporty and we can't afford county club membership --works out nicely. )

[Anonymous]

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.

Woodmont? I don't think so... Chevy Chase. Chevy Chase is the "biggest" of the 3 if you want my opinion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am familiar with most of the clubs mentioned here and very familiar with the Chevy Chase Club, where I have many friends who are members. This message is just to clear up some inaccuracies about Chevy Chase.
There may have been a time when Chevy Chase Club practiced discrimination, but that time is long past. Chevy Chase has white members, African-American members, Jewish members, men members, women members; you name it, they have it.
A number of the postings here talk about "golf memberships" at the various clubs. Chevy Chase has various classes of memberships - non-resident members or student members, for example, but none of them restrict the member to only using parts of the club or certain activities at the club. Golf, tennis, swimming, dining, etc. are available to all members of the club.
The initiation fee at Chevy Chase is about $85,000, and monthly dues are about $600. Certain classes of members, students, for example, pay lower dues, and children of members pay lower initiation fees.
Chevy Chase is 100% a family club as opposed to being a business club. Cell phones, laptops, and pdas are not allowed to be used on the club grounds except for laptops to be used for children's homework in one location. Business papers are not to be used/written/whatever; for example, you can't sit in the dining room and discuss a business deal marking up contracts.
"Important people" don't get in any quicker than regular people. There is a three year waiting list that everyone goes on except the children of members, who are considered right away.
The Chevy in Chevy Chase does not have a silent "h" as someone suggested. When people refer to it as Chevy, as some do, it is pronounced the same way as the Chevy is in Chevy Chase Village. One thing Chevy Chase members do not call their club is "Chevy Chase Country Club." It is simply Chevy Chase Club.

Or just plain Chevy if you are a parent at my child's private school.

[Anonymous]

Sounds like a bad investment. 85K + $600 for 12 months, and you are first on a wait list, then pay to join without knowing you will like it.
Some people with money like to make noise that they have money, others do not make an issue out of it.
I guess everyone to his or her own liking. But the ones who really do have money most of the time do not make noise about it.

[Anonymous]

I never got the appeal of country clubs. They're great if you want to hang out with "money" and feel important and socially superior.

Otherwise join a good church, club, or other group where you share actual interests with the people you hang out with.

The folks I know think clubs are a hilarious throwback - completely awesome if you want to pretend to be Don Draper - but just be aware you're 50 years too late.

I realize YMMV, and my point of view is not necessarily "correct."

[Anonymous]

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.

Woodmont? I don't think so... Chevy Chase. Chevy Chase is the "biggest" of the 3 if you want my opinion.

Congressional is the biggest of the Big 3. They are having the US Open there so I think they have earned it. Chevy Chase Second and Columbia 3rd. Bethesda, Woodmont and then Lakewood.