Country Club Questions

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do any greater DC CC's offer Junior Memberships that are NOT just for legacies?

At my parents' CC in Atlanta, there are both legacy memberships (for the over 21 children of members) and junior memberships (for people under 35 who are not necessarily legacies). In both cases, potential members still go through the recommendation process, but the payment system is a little friendly to the lower budgets of younger people. For example, people under 35 pay $5k/year until age 35 + regular member monthly fee, then their total annual amount is deducted from the initiation amount if they decide to become full members at age 36. (So if you join at age thirty, you get $25k off your initiation fee at age 36.)

This system works for the CC because they get younger members who are likely to stay for life, and it benefits young members because they can spread out the cost and not be locked in if they move (like we did) or choose another club at age 36.

Do any DC clubs offer this sort of Junior Membership? We have asked some neighbors and colleagues who are members at a few different clubs, but none have had any idea about membership levels.

This reminds me of a funny story: a friend of mine is on the board of governors at his club. There is a family who are members, the husband is over 45, the (second) wife under 35. He had been a member prior to the second marriage. He kept the membership from his first divorce and was paying full freight but the family petitioned the board to get the under 35 rate because of the wife's age. I never did find out the resolution but I think it was denied.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't Woodmont originally founded because none of the WASP-y country clubs would take Jews, so they started their own? I'm not a Woodmont member, but I've played golf there and think the courses are absolutely beautiful. I'm hoping to get back soon, I hear they've completely renovated their clubhouse as well.

Columbia isn't WASP-y. There's a very strong Catholic contingent.

There's no difference.

Yes there is.

No, there isn't, and let's end it at that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't Woodmont originally founded because none of the WASP-y country clubs would take Jews, so they started their own? I'm not a Woodmont member, but I've played golf there and think the courses are absolutely beautiful. I'm hoping to get back soon, I hear they've completely renovated their clubhouse as well.

Columbia isn't WASP-y. There's a very strong Catholic contingent.

There's no difference.

Yes there is.

No, there isn't, and let's end it at that.

By definition a WASP is Protestant, which is different than Catholic. Anyway, I know some members of CCC who are Catholic, but I don't know the percentage breakdown of religion at either club.

[Anonymous]

Join Woodmont if you are Jewish. I have been to the club since renovations and it looks awful. So pretentious and gaudy. Also the ballroom has carpet and overlooks the dumpster and loading dock area... If you have the money and connections join Chevy, Congo, or Columbia. Those are the A list clubs. Woodmont is also the same price as Chevy in terms of initiation fees but no where near as nice. Also there yearly dues are more. Woodmont keeps upping the prices of everything and they have seen a huge decline in membership because of it. Also, there is no diversity. The staff like I said is either a bunch of unrefined Hispanics or just idiots. The caliber of staff is severely lacking.

Chevy Chase Club is elegant and amazing. What a country club should look like. Congressional is more of a resort. Columbia is classic country club style.

[Anonymous]

Chevy is difficult to get into. You need to be careful once you become summer members. You do anything and I mean anything wrong, that is it for you. You are out. I have seen people do summer membership and it ended there. They keep a very close eye on new members and summer members. You break any rule, are rude to anyone, including staff, and if anything gets reported whether big or small that is it for you. You need very strong backing at a club like that.

Bethesda, Woodmont, Lakewood, and the rest, will accept anyone just because its money. The Big Three could careless about your money, they want to know if you will fit in and follow the rules and use the amenities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Join Woodmont if you are Jewish. I have been to the club since renovations and it looks awful. So pretentious and gaudy. Also the ballroom has carpet and overlooks the dumpster and loading dock area... If you have the money and connections join Chevy, Congo, or Columbia. Those are the A list clubs. Woodmont is also the same price as Chevy in terms of initiation fees but no where near as nice. Also there yearly dues are more. Woodmont keeps upping the prices of everything and they have seen a huge decline in membership because of it. Also, there is no diversity. The staff like I said is either a bunch of unrefined Hispanics or just idiots. The caliber of staff is severely lacking.

Chevy Chase Club is elegant and amazing. What a country club should look like. Congressional is more of a resort. Columbia is classic country club style.

We're at CCC, and while I agree that it is elegant and amazing (and we enjoy the casual vibe and activities of the Winter Center), I have to say that I prefer the restaurant at Columbia and the bar at Congressional!

[Anonymous]

I belong to Bladensburg Country Club and it has all the amenities one could ask for

[Anonymous]

Never heard of Blandensburg Club? Is Bladensburg a historical figure or a place?

[Anonymous]

Does anyone know the current under 40 rates for Columbia?

DH and I are moving to the area and are interested.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Join Woodmont if you are Jewish. I have been to the club since renovations and it looks awful. So pretentious and gaudy. Also the ballroom has carpet and overlooks the dumpster and loading dock area... If you have the money and connections join Chevy, Congo, or Columbia. Those are the A list clubs. Woodmont is also the same price as Chevy in terms of initiation fees but no where near as nice. Also there yearly dues are more. Woodmont keeps upping the prices of everything and they have seen a huge decline in membership because of it. Also, there is no diversity. The staff like I said is either a bunch of unrefined Hispanics or just idiots. The caliber of staff is severely lacking.

Chevy Chase Club is elegant and amazing. What a country club should look like. Congressional is more of a resort. Columbia is classic country club style.

We're at CCC, and while I agree that it is elegant and amazing (and we enjoy the casual vibe and activities of the Winter Center), I have to say that I prefer the restaurant at Columbia and the bar at Congressional!

AS a fellow "C" member I realize you mean Chevy by what you said but realize that Chevy, Congo and Columbia are all CCC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone know the current under 40 rates for Columbia?

DH and I are moving to the area and are interested.

You literally can go to club. Park your car. Walk in and ask for a membership package. All the information is right there, plus you will know reference requirements etc.

[Anonymous]

Kenwood is a very outdated club. The owner should give it back to the membership and make it a real country club. Its for profit and members have no say in how its run. The management stinks as well. The course is very short. Trust me if Kenwood were member owned it would change a lot. Chevy is the epitome of a country club. Congressional has two great courses. But chevy is a truly wonderful place. Chevy is the hardest to get into.

Its Chevy Chase Club and the rest.

[Anonymous]

Any country club in Virginia is a joke as well. No one cares about any of those clubs.

People pay 65k to join Kenwood, you have no say in club affairs since its run by a family. You have no input or anything. He could make it member owned and walk away with a good chunk of change.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Kenwood is a very outdated club. The owner should give it back to the membership and make it a real country club. Its for profit and members have no say in how its run. The management stinks as well. The course is very short. Trust me if Kenwood were member owned it would change a lot. Chevy is the epitome of a country club. Congressional has two great courses. But chevy is a truly wonderful place. Chevy is the hardest to get into.

Its Chevy Chase Club and the rest.

Ha, sure. If that's what you think. Ask golfers from out of town whether they'd rather play Chevy or Congo Blue and see if anyone outside of the DMV has even heard of Chevy.

[Anonymous]

You would live under a rock if you have not heard of Chevy Chase Club.