Downingtown/Exton/Main Line Country Club Intermediate Membership

Hey all,

I am moving from Bucks County to Exton in a few months and looking at possibly joining a club. I will be working in Berwyn, so anywhere in the Exton, DTown, upper Main Line area would be ok.

I am really just looking for a junior/intermediate/young executive type membership. I am just finishing up law school and have a job with a decent salary lined up, but I do have a ton of debt from school. So I can't go nuts.

I am familiar with courses in the area generally, but does anyone know of any clubs that have young membership category thats a decent value? Specifics re: dues, either here or in a PM, would be much appreciated!

thanks!

**EDIT** secondarily, I am looking for a driving range that offers any sort of "unlimited/yearly pass" type thing (not MGolf). I don't know how much time i will be able to play with the new job, so in the alternative I will just beat balls at the range

http://www.stdavidsgc.com/Default.aspx?p=dynamicmodule&pageid=392715&ssid=314581&vnf=1

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Thanks firegolf26. Are you a member? Any idea about general pricing range? Don't need a specific number just a ballpark. You can PM me if you want

Here is a good thread I've been following for Philly area/main line junior memberships

http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/1072887-best-philly-junior-membership-clubs/

Look at Whitford in Exton or venture a little bit to West Chester as check out Concord and Radley Run

Don't rule out RiverCrest in Phoenixville either, great Young Exec. Program until you're 38. Great, young club. PM me if you want some more details as well.

Take a look at White Manor, its sort of between Exton and Berwyn.. Very solid course. I know they have a cheaper membership for those under 40, but I don't know specific pricing. Applebrook is also in the vicinity, another solid course, but I'm guessing more expensive (caddies might be required?).

As far as the other suggestions (I've played them all), Whitford was sort of an "ehhh ok" course to me. I really enjoyed Concord and would probably join there if I lived in the immediate vicinity. Might be a little out of the way for the OP though, Rt. 202 rush hour traffic in that area can be a little annoying if you're trying to get there after work.

Anyone familiar with Coatesville Country Club? Debating between there and Applecross

Applebrook is spendy but really nice. I know a few guys that are waiting for Aronimick and joined Applebrook. And we are talking very well off powerful guys if that gives you any idea of the atmosphere. White Manor is a great place and fun course. One of my company's execs is a member.

I've heard of apple cross but nothing good.

I work in Radnor and live in Lancsster so I've played most of the tracks or know people at a few clubs. PM me with any questions.

*UPDATE* - Ended up joining Coatesville.

Loving it so far. Its certainly no Applebrook, Gulph Mills, or Stonewall, but it doesn't pretend to be either. The course is NEVER crowded, so no 4+ hour rounds, but there are plenty of weekly games/matches etc.

The club has a great long range plan for improvements in place, which is fully funded (aka no assessment forthcoming). New bunkers as I mentioned earlier will be done by the end of the month, and they are putting in a new pool, pool house, bath house, outdoor eating area, and other minor to medium-size course reno projects. Luckily (at least for golfers) the club prioritized golf course updates over other projects. Course is in good shape conditioning wise (again, this isn't Gulp Mills), and any areas of concern are all being addressed in short order.

For anyone under 35, there is no better value in Chester County (and trust me, I've looked - I sought info from/corresponded with a lot of area clubs). Obviously it all depends what level of club you are looking for (or can afford), but for me as a young, avid golfer without an endless budget (upcomgin wedding, house, etc) it worked out perfect. If anyone is interested in details, PM me.

I played Coatesville a few years ago. Didn't particularly care for the design (hilly, think there is a hole where you have to ring a bell after your second shot?) and their fairway mower was broken at the time, so the fairway grass was like an inch high. But the staff was friendly and we had a nice dinner afterwards. Not sure if they told you about it, but Coatesville is part of a group of clubs in central and eastern PA that have a pretty cool reciprocal arrangement. When I was in my 20's my priorities for private golf were #1-cheap dues and #2-empty course, especially on weeknights after work, so it looks like you found a good match.

I played Coatesville a few years ago. Didn't particularly care for the design (hilly, think there is a hole where you have to ring a bell after your second shot?) and their fairway mower was broken at the time, so the fairway grass was like an inch high. But the staff was friendly and we had a nice dinner afterwards. Not sure if they told you about it, but Coatesville is part of a group of clubs in central and eastern PA that have a pretty cool reciprocal arrangement. When I was in my 20's my priorities for private golf were #1-cheap dues and #2-empty course, especially on weeknights after work, so it looks like you found a good match.

Yea from what I hear it was in rough shape a few years ago, but after the members bought out the mortgage things have gone back up. I wasn't there so I can't say for certain though.

And bells are pretty common on courses with blind (usually downhill) tee shots. I have played quite a few with bells. I personally like them better than the really tall poles with the angled mirrors on top

I played Coatesville a few years ago. Didn't particularly care for the design (hilly, think there is a hole where you have to ring a bell after your second shot?) and their fairway mower was broken at the time, so the fairway grass was like an inch high. But the staff was friendly and we had a nice dinner afterwards. Not sure if they told you about it, but Coatesville is part of a group of clubs in central and eastern PA that have a pretty cool reciprocal arrangement. When I was in my 20's my priorities for private golf were #1-cheap dues and #2-empty course, especially on weeknights after work, so it looks like you found a good match.