Membership: Sleepy Hollow or Markham Golf and Country Club?

[pir2]

Been looking at getting a membership (something a new grad can afford) and found two that seems to fit the "budget"

First therer's Sleepy Hollow, with the following fees:
$5,000.00 Initiation fee including GST, annual dues for the balance of this season.
~$3350.00 approximately (Annual dues have not been set for the 2006 season)
Payment is 50% upon application and balance before December
31, 2005.

Then there's Markham Golf and Country Club
$5000 Initiation Fee
$4500 Full Membership
$3500 for Weekday membership
all payable in 6 "easy payments"
75/month food min.
I think Markham includes the power cart rental fee and the remainder of 2005 season is "free"

What do you guys and gals think of these two clubs?

[snafu]

The only thing I would be concerned about is Markham has a tendency to flood.
I've driven past it on a number of occasions and the hole on the north side of 16th Ave with the river has often overflowed its banks onto the fairway.

Myself, I'd probably prefer Sleepy Hollow if for no other reason than you don't have airplanes landing a few hundred yards away from you.

[iyell4]

markham g&cc would be my choice because of its location ....

sleepy hollow is so far away, you might as well join a value club in the barrie area.

[snafu]

markham g&cc would be my choice because of its location ....

sleepy hollow is so far away, you might as well join a value club in the barrie area.:confused:

You do realise that Sleepy Hollow's only a 15 minute drive east of Markham don't you?

http://www.sleepyhollowgolf.on.ca/map2.gif

[pudubny]

Otis is right,
Sleepy Hollow is close to Markham, only 15 to 20 minutes from Markham and Hwy 7.
I would have a couple of concerns. I admit to not having ever played Markham and not at Sleepy Hollow in more than 10 years. Both courses are under 6300 yards and I have always heard Markham plays short. Some suggest it should be a par 67. I don't believe we should be obsessed with the length of a course but it usually amounts to many short par 4's. That means driver wedge too often. I get bored. But these types of courses will only play shorter in the next five years with advances in equipment. Can they adapt?
Secondly make sure the club you are joining is in good financial health. If you are serious, the club should not mind you asking important questions about assessments, the debt situation, and whether or not the course breaks even on a year to year basis. Some will allow you to review the financials, which I recommend. Some people join a course only to find out it is in financial trouble and they are assessed thousands to pay for various expenses. I am not suggesting these clubs are in trouble because I do not know but several private clubs are not in good financial shape.
Thirdly, if you have not played the courses call the membership director and ask for a opportunity to play the course. If you are serious, they will not mind at all. You should be willing to pay although some directors will comp. the round. I would never join a course unless I had the chance to play it several times first. Only you can judge if you will enjoy it over the long term. Their are other cheap options in the Markham area, are these the only two you are looking at? Cedarbrae, while it has abundant issues, is a far superior course and is about the same price. They just reduced rates.
Good luck and let us know how it works out.
Pud.

[Frank101]

I would go with Highland Gate at in the Clublink Network before the end of the month. Being your a recent grad you could easily get 10 - 15 years no interest which is a great deal. Plus you would only have to pay intermediate dues until 30 and theres no food&bev mins till then, but hurry cuz the dues go up to $9500 from $6750 at the end of the month.
Message me when you decide on a club. I went through the same thing as you about a month ago.