The financials of country clubs

[Anonymous]

What’s the cost of joining Columbia or Chevy Chase?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree with everyone above.

But I will add that I’m shocked at how much money people have. I consider myself UMC (but the annoying group of UMC that feels MC), and I don’t know how everyone got so loaded while we’ve languished in pinching penny land.

Country clubs are UC, not UMC.

Not all clubs. Seriously, belonging to Manor is UMC and belonging to CC is UC.

[Anonymous]

We were hesitant as well. We joined during Covid. It was 80k for us and we end up spending 2-3k per month (monthly dues, food, events and fees for guests, cart, lessons and clinics for our 3 kids).

You have to not think about the money or you probably shouldn’t join. I don’t mind the monthly costs because we use the facilities multiple times per week. I think of the initiation fee as a sunk cost, the cost for my kids to be good tennis and golf players. My 12 and 14 yo boys are excellent tennis and golfers.

[Anonymous]

Does your club ever run out of Grey Poupon?
Do your members pass it or do they just hog it for themselves?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you notice the money, then it isn't for you

This is how we feel about it. Plus we aren't that committed to staying in DC after we retire, so it feels like we wouldn't ever amortize the value of the initiation fee.

Also, I'm fairly sure the club nearest to us has had some large assessments historically because of a clubhouse reno gone wild, and that makes me nervous. And I'm not driving past a hundred other restaurants to eat at a less expensive country club further from my house or for my teenager to swim.

[Anonymous]

My kids do full-summer sleepaway. It’s $15K per kid per summer for 5-6 years. Of the alternative is them spending the summer at the CC, CC is the better deal financially and you can all use the facilities, year round.

[Anonymous]

^if

[Anonymous]

Does anyone know the cost of Fairfax Country Club?

[Anonymous]

Bethesda is $100K initiation and no waitlist. Kenwood is about $50K

Kenwood is $75-80k fir golf membership.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone know the cost of Fairfax Country Club?

I think but not certain that it's a bit more than Springfield which was discussed here. I have friends at both (we live in between both).

To the OP - I am not interested in golf or tennis - the people who I know who join are really interested in those things and I guess they think they get their money worth.

[Anonymous]

What’s the cost of Westwood?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What’s the cost of joining Columbia or Chevy Chase?

Around 100k and the rights to your soul.