Columbia does not have a summer membership. Wait list for active-full (golf) membership is 2-3 years.

Does anyone know what the current waitlist is at Columbia or Chevy Chase -- for either a summer membership or a full membership? Does Columbia have a summer membership like Chevy Chase does?

Anonymous wrote:Any thoughts on Bethesda country club?

I am curious about this too. Anyone have intel on Bethesda Country Club? Fees? Even for just the social membership? Waiting lists? Membership process? We'd love to find a place for pool and tennis - golf would be nice but not essential. There is no neighborhood pool for us.

Anonymous wrote:What is the deal with Woodmont? How much to join? why are they not one of the 'top three'?

Woodmont is a great club and very popular. Just gorgeous, too. People may not be listing it in the top three b/c it's Jewish. I'm not saying that as a slur or stereotype, I think that's who it's for and limited to. I grew up around here, knew lots of people at lots of clubs, and every single Wodmont family is Jewish, so I've always thought it was a membership criteria. Would love to hear if I'm wrong.

Plus it's way out Rockville Pike, which isn't convenient for many people.

The only reason I'd join a club is if I had a particular high-intesity hobby (e.g., golf) and this place had the best facilities around.

Otherwise, I wouldn't bother.

To socialize, invite people over for tea, cocktails, dinner, whatever.

I don't have a dog in this fight -- we've never had the slightest interest in joining a country club -- but I've played tennis as a guest at many area clubs, and Woodmont's tennis facilities are first-rate -- well-lit, surface has slight give to it, very nice locker rooms, a well-stocked tennis shop, etc. If the club needs to increase income, it might consider offering tennis memberships, particularly in the winter months.

What is the deal with Woodmont? How much to join? why are they not one of the 'top three'?

Anonymous wrote:Congressional Country Club used to have a sign up on River Road, stating who was not allowed.

While I understand that many members may not think this way, many of these clubs have families who have been there for many generations. I does make it hard to believe that some of these people still don't think this way which is why it would make it hard for me to think of joining some of these clubs.

Just curious, but could you state when this sign appeared? Who was specifically excluded? Also, aren't there bigots pretty much everywhere employing your logic? Is your point that some clubs had bigots, ergo, children of these people are bigots thus the club is per se racist? Good God.

Anonymous wrote:Congressional Country Club used to have a sign up on River Road, stating who was not allowed.

While I understand that many members may not think this way, many of these clubs have families who have been there for many generations. I does make it hard to believe that some of these people still don't think this way which is why it would make it hard for me to think of joining some of these clubs.

So what? Quite frankly, I've played with far more bigots at public courses than I have at private courses. Assigning blame to what may or may not have been one's ancestor's beliefs is ridiculous. Why is it hard to believe that some of the purported bigoted individuals ancestors don't think the same way? All of these clubs (Chevy, Congressional and Columbia) accept members of all races and creeds. Sounds like some people have problems in general with private clubs, for whatever reason. The way I look at it is, sure there are some a**holes at all clubs, but for the most part, the memberships reflect very decent, hard working individuals.

I have been to a number of events since the renovation and I like it. It looks very art deco and is much nicer than it used to be. I would hold an event there anytime. Even the food has gotten better.

I think Lakewood looks much better than Woodmont. Woodmont is a holdover from 1960. They really need to renovate.

Yeah, but its lakewood, have you seen it? Looks like a brothel inside. If I were assessed for that, I'd be pissed!

Lakewood was having trouble because they spent a lot of money on their new golf course and weren't getting new members. A lot of old members left because there were assessments. They made it much cheaper to join if you paid the golf initiation up front, reduced the food minimums, reduced payments for members from ages 31-36 etc.

They now have a waiting list to join for golf memberships.

Congressional Country Club used to have a sign up on River Road, stating who was not allowed.

While I understand that many members may not think this way, many of these clubs have families who have been there for many generations. I does make it hard to believe that some of these people still don't think this way which is why it would make it hard for me to think of joining some of these clubs.

Anonymous wrote:I don't really know anything about Country Clubs, and would not have the money, connections, or desire to join one. I do know that Chevy Chase did not allow Jews to join in the 60s. Gross.

Yes, discrimination based on race/creed in the past is pathetic and unfortunately common place in many beloved present-day organizations (see, e.g., the Washington Redskins who were the last team to integrate in the NFL). However, I hope you do not impugn current members of country clubs for past practices - that would be quite prejudicial. Many people do have the desire and money to support membership in a private club in this area and I cannot see thing one wrong with it.

Any thoughts on Bethesda country club?