Country Clubs...I want facts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My husband an I do very well financially. Maybe because I grew up middle class, I just can't imagine investing so much in a country club. We've been guests at all of the local clubs, as a lot of colleagues belong to various clubs. Most are nice but I just don't get it.... I am just as happy at the community pool, neighborhood tennis courts and picnicking at Rock Creek park. I feel uneasy at places that exclude others and segregate by keeping less financially secure people out. Just my opinion.

I'm with you (though maybe my family was a little more comfortably off -- dad was an MD), but it's just not our thing at all and I've never been able to figure out the appeal to our friends who are members. Quite honestly, the sense of exclusivity kind of makes me cringe. I already feel like our kids live in a bubble of privilege; why would I want to enhance their sense of unreality? DH and I are both tennis players; we played in college and are still pretty good. Often someone will ask us where we play and they clearly expect to hear the name of a club, so it's kind of fun to hear their reaction when we say, "Oh, you know there are some pretty good courts at the local park."

[Anonymous]

Do not belong to Congressional but I was chatting with a member of the club the other day who said there is no longer a waiting list for members. She thinks it is due to the economy. Just passing along this information. Perhaps a member of the club can verify for OP.

[Anonymous]

Here's an idea OP, call the clubs and ask!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Here's an idea OP, call the clubs and ask!

You can not do that. That is not how it works.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do not belong to Congressional but I was chatting with a member of the club the other day who said there is no longer a waiting list for members. She thinks it is due to the economy. Just passing along this information. Perhaps a member of the club can verify for OP.

I am a member and can verify, there is a waiting list for full membership status.

[Anonymous]

Congo has a waiting list. I'm not much of a golfer, but I might join a less expensive club for the pool scene. Maybe Army-Navy ...

[Anonymous]

I am also a member at Congressional. Our family has an interest in golf, thus the membership makes sense for us. If not for golf, we would likely would pursue a lower key pool/tennis club.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I really didn't know the initiation fee was gone forever. With a club like Congressional or CC, where does most of the initiation fee and monthly dues money go? I mean no one's getting rich off the initiation fee, right? Is all that money really used to run the club and various contingencies? It just seems like a flood of money.

You're too cheap to even think about joining any club because no one will sponsor you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here's an idea OP, call the clubs and ask!

You can not do that. That is not how it works.

Kenwood has this info on its website, although the fees may increased a bit since the info was posted: http://www.kenwoodcc.net/files/Membership%20Application%2009.pdf

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I really didn't know the initiation fee was gone forever. With a club like Congressional or CC, where does most of the initiation fee and monthly dues money go? I mean no one's getting rich off the initiation fee, right? Is all that money really used to run the club and various contingencies? It just seems like a flood of money.

You're too cheap to even think about joining any club because no one will sponsor you.

Read that again. It makes no sense. Are you a foreign?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you don't get it, you don't get it I am afraid.

Don't be afraid, I just threw a flaming bag of shit at your door.

[Anonymous]

Op here! Thanks for all those who gave input! Much appreciated. Also, sorry i did not mean to offend anyone! My husband and I both play tennis and golf. My son also enjoys playing golf and tennis...and what kid doesn't love hanging out by a pool? A country club just seems like a one stop shop for all of us to enjoy. If there is another golf, swim, and tennis club for us, I would be very interested! And I'm sure there are people who make a lot more money than my husband who would never join a club! Just wanted to get some facts....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op here! Thanks for all those who gave input! Much appreciated. Also, sorry i did not mean to offend anyone! My husband and I both play tennis and golf. My son also enjoys playing golf and tennis...and what kid doesn't love hanging out by a pool? A country club just seems like a one stop shop for all of us to enjoy. If there is another golf, swim, and tennis club for us, I would be very interested! And I'm sure there are people who make a lot more money than my husband who would never join a club! Just wanted to get some facts....

People aren't offended. They are just jealous, and so they try to mask that by making mean, inane remarks. Sounds like you'd enjoy what a country club has to offer. Go for it.

[Anonymous]

OP, somewhere in the string someone mentioned networking at Country Clubs as a possible reason for joining. I am not sure if that was you or not but I thought I would respond. I grew up around here but was not a member of a club. I have nothing against CCs. Nonetheless, I do not believe that not joining a club impacted my parents professionally and I do not believe it has impacted me either. I think that networking opportunities exist in many places including country clubs but I don't think CC are necessary for networking. Maybe it is because DC was originally a Company town and the company was government. Maybe it is because there are a lot of clubs so there isn't "one" club that is the best. Some might say the best club is Congressional but probably not if you live in McLean and work in the IT sector in Virginia. If you are high brass military or associated with that in some way, it is probably Army-Navy. The point I am making is that whether you join a club or not, I would not justify the decision financially on the basis that you will make tons of important professional connections at the club. Again, not sure if that was OP's comment. FWIW, I will give my view point. Grew up in Bethesda and I am a second generation lawyer who has worked in top ten DC firms. In my childhood social circle and in my professional career, country club membership was not a must. I had more lunches at the Cosmos Club and University Club than at Country Clubs. Notably, my family is not into golf.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do not belong to Congressional but I was chatting with a member of the club the other day who said there is no longer a waiting list for members. She thinks it is due to the economy. Just passing along this information. Perhaps a member of the club can verify for OP.

I am a member and can verify, there is a waiting list for full membership status.

there is, but not 10-12 years that another supposed member quoted. More like 3-5, depending on who you know of course.