A few courses to chose from for Membership

[ben_82]

Looking at joining a few of the following courses, just wondering what you all think.

Hidden Lake Golf Club
North Halton Golf Club
Trafalgar Golf and Country Club
Clublink - Blue Springs
Kanff Properties


Just wondering what your thoughts are for these 5 courses. I live in Milton ( like to a range) and also like to play all summer long

[jmac]

I would say Blue Springs. There are so many great Clublink courses in the West-end and two of my faves are both in Milton -- Blue Springs and Glencairn.

[Squeeky]

Ben 82 if you're still looking for a course to join:

North Halton recently went through a restructuring that has been very successful. As of the end of July, 168 new shares were sold at $22,000 for a total of 420 shareholders.
I know this club has taken a lot of criticism on this site in the past, but 119 of those shares were purchased voluntarily by existing members. This shows that the existing members know what a great deal it is to get equity in a GTA private club at the low amount of $22,000. North Halton has a great course always in super condition with members who enjoy the comradeship and the amazing view from the balcony.

And no, this post isn't from the Management of the Club, but a member.

[trunckslammer1]

Ben 82 if you're still looking for a course to join:

North Halton recently went through a restructuring that has been very successful. As of the end of July, 168 new shares were sold at $22,000 for a total of 420 shareholders.
I know this club has taken a lot of criticism on this site in the past, but 119 of those shares were purchased voluntarily by existing members. This shows that the existing members know what a great deal it is to get equity in a GTA private club at the low amount of $22,000. North Halton has a great course always in super condition with members who enjoy the comradeship and the amazing view from the balcony.

And no, this post isn't from the Management of the Club, but a member.

Out of curiosity, how long have you been a member?

By the way, there was hardly any criticism on this site with regards to North Halton as most are not familiar with the course.

For information only, 168 (actually I think it is 180 now) NEW shares were sold. That DOES NOT mean 420 NEW SHAREHOLDERS who held the NEW shares.

How else would you purchase a share EXCEPT VOLUNTARILY.

[Leftygolfer30]

How else would you purchase a share EXCEPT VOLUNTARILY.

At gun point... :rofl:

[trunckslammer1]

At gun point... :rofl:

Touche. At one point it did seem like it.

[RCCHGA]

I've played North Halton and Blue Springs. Both good tracks although the latter carries the CL stigma. I'd stay away from any Kaneff course as they cater mainly to corporate events and their tracks get pretty beat up.

[Frank101]

In terms of quality of course, I'd be willing to put Blue Springs up against North Halton and confidently say 90% of the time Blue Springs would probably win out.

Both are fun courses. Blue Springs is going through a complete bunker renovation which will only improve an already great course and you will have the option of playing all the other Clublink courses which is nice. Blue Springs is one of the few courses at Clublink that feels more like a private club than a public one if that matters to you.

It all depends on what your looking for. If I lived in between the two, I would actually probably choose North Halton based on the sole fact that it is an equity club and I'm not just throwing away my initiation fee, but thats me.

[trunckslammer1]

It all depends on what your looking for. If I lived in between the two, I would actually probably choose North Halton based on the sole fact that it is an equity club and I'm not just throwing away my initiation fee, but thats me.

Be careful what you wish for. In Canada, Equity courses is a bottomless pit.

No initiation to offset operating capital. Assessments whenever there is a need for capital improvements, Cash shortfalls.

The history of Fully Equity Courses like The National, Islington, Meadowbrook, Scarborough etc. is full of these.

I was a long time member or North Halton and left when the decision to convert to equity came about. I spent 1 year exploring my options from Clublink, other Equity clubs, Member owned clubs, Fully private but family owned club (Traflagar is one). Everyone has their Pros and Cons.

Do your homework and do not buy into what the Management says.

[ben_82]

Instead of a course.

I have gone with GTA golf club ( not ment to be a chessy ad) over Clublink

Courses close- affordable, and have my favourite course (WB) for a fair price.

[Frank101]

Be careful what you wish for. In Canada, Equity courses is a bottomless pit.

No initiation to offset operating capital. Assessments whenever there is a need for capital improvements, Cash shortfalls.

The history of Fully Equity Courses like The National, Islington, Meadowbrook, Scarborough etc. is full of these.

I was a long time member or North Halton and left when the decision to convert to equity came about. I spent 1 year exploring my options from Clublink, other Equity clubs, Member owned clubs, Fully private but family owned club (Traflagar is one). Everyone has their Pros and Cons.

Do your homework and do not buy into what the Management says.

Hey,
I understand your point, but trust me I have taken all these things into consideration. I know all that goes along with these types of clubs.

I am not trusting what management says as I'm not looking anyways.

[trunckslammer1]

Hey,
I understand your point, but trust me I have taken all these things into consideration. I know all that goes along with these types of clubs.

I am not trusting what management says as I'm not looking anyways.

It was just a general observation on my part and not directed at you specifically. I was more directing my questions to the poster with regards to North Halton, a course whose goingons I know VERY well.

[golfer727272]

What is North Haltons's track record on assessments..Is it due for a biggie?
If so what $$$ might that mean for a novice trying to do homework...The reference on earlier post mentions other equity clubs knocking on the door on a regular basis in need of $..How frequently and for how much?

[golf nut]

If you are looking to play more than twice a week then a three year trial at Brampton might just be the ticket.

[trunckslammer1]

What is North Haltons's track record on assessments..Is it due for a biggie?
If so what $$$ might that mean for a novice trying to do homework...The reference on earlier post mentions other equity clubs knocking on the door on a regular basis in need of $..How frequently and for how much?

I do not want to get into the whole conversion to an equity course but North Halton is a "young" course in terms of equity have just initiated it 2 years ago and finalised the details this year. They do not have a track record yet but the following will have to be considered.

Although they sold 180 shares, only about 40 went to new members. It may seem a good thing that 140 Existing Members bought the rest. Not so. Bear in mind that these members bought the shares at a discount from $4,400 to $11,000 depending on when they join and amount of initiation paid. It was, to some a good deal because they still owe Initiation amounts as they join on a 10 year plan. Not only do they not have to pay the balance, if they paid $22,000 to join, they get $11,000 discount off the share price of $22,000.
The club paid over $3,000,000 to buy the old shares from a family who own the bulk of them. They now have to find the money to buy another 90+ shares from old share holders who DO not even play golf and do not contribute any dues. As for those golfers who do owned the old shares, they will swap a new share and issued a 5 year debenture for $10,000.
The club will now be heavily indebted. On top of that, the issue of a New clubhouse will have to be addressed whether some like it or not. It is old.
When you go to their website, the Annual dues for 2008 may be only $2850.00 but going further down, you will see a $500 charge for Debt charges and another $15.00 for capital fund.
All of this on top of the fact that in 2007, the club lost about 100 members, I am not sure about 2008.
Like every business, you need Cash flow to operate and pay down debt. When you lose 20% of your customer base, eventually you have to make it up either charging your existing customers more or reduce your expenses. You may hide your losses for a couple of years, but eventually you have to face reality.

As for other older Equity courses, National has always have a yearly assessments of around $5,000. Now with the new clubhouse, it is $15,000.

Islington has just voted to spend $6,000,000 on a new pond etc. Even though when you call the club, they may tell you that shares are selling for $50,000, they can be bought for $35,000 on the open market.

It is in the club's interest to keep share prices high as they charge a 20% transfer fee. This is because they no longer have any initiation fees.

[bobby Jones]

Many good points raised:

In no particular order my checklist before making a decision:

Course layout/conditioning

Location - work/home

Clubhouse facilities

Food and beverage

Cost - Initiation/capital levies(actual & potential)/annuals

Reciprocals

Enjoyment of the walk

Membership

Number of outside events

Tee access

[golfer727272]

When Equity clubs have been mentioned on this post previously, no mention of the Pulpit? Any reason it was ignored??

[DashRipRock]

Trafalgar is a nice course. Very walkable and replaced the greens in the last two years. The club has a great practice area. You can buy a trail membership. You should try a club before you buy. They all have their differences. The nice thing about Trafalgar is it is very easy to get a game as a single. I have never had a problem getting a Saturday or Sunday tee time.

I have been an "associate member" for three years now. Pisses off the longtime members but the management never says no to my money. Next year I am going to pass on a membership. I have a free membership at our trailer for the next three years. We are up at the trailer every weekend and I can't join Trafalgar as a weekday member.

[trunckslammer1]

When Equity clubs have been mentioned on this post previously, no mention of the Pulpit? Any reason it was ignored??

The Pulpit/Paintbrush is not a true Equity Course. Chris Haney still owns it. Your membership is a Transferable Membership. The upside is that there will most likely never be an assessment.

Traflagar is owned by a family and so they can do whatever it takes to boost membership without having to justify it. The golf course, to me, is not very challenging but they do have good practice facilities. Brampton, again in my opinion only, is a better course and also have great practice facilities.