Country Club Letter of Recommendation - Help?

I am applying for membership at a local club, and I have my requisite two sponsors. My main sponsor I know a decent amount, and the second I have never met (my main guy is helping me out).

They have asked that I write the first draft of the recommendation letters - a perfectly reasonable request. I'm not sure what to write in this situation - how long the letter should be, etc.

Does anyone have any advice or any text from a sample letter they could share? Appreciate it.

[quote name='Jimhiggins' timestamp='1426255835' post='11135281']
I am applying for membership at a local club, and I have my requisite two sponsors. My main sponsor I know a decent amount, and the second I have never met (my main guy is helping me out).

They have asked that I write the first draft of the recommendation letters - a perfectly reasonable request. I'm not sure what to write in this situation - how long the letter should be, etc.

Does anyone have any advice or any text from a sample letter they could share? Appreciate it.
[/quote]

Just a suggestion - invite both the 1st and 2nd to dinner and/or to your home for dinner and/or play golf together (it doesn't matter where - but hopefully at the club). It makes the 2nd/him credible that he has met you and socialized with you. My guess is that your first is your good friend and that he in turn is good friends' with the 2nd.

In general the letter should be fairly simply but complete:

"I have met Jim through (the 1st) and we/our families have socialized together and played golf together. During our time together, he and his wife/family has expressed his excitement about becoming an active and supportive member of the club. I believe him - and he has my full endorsement for membership. Signed (2nd)


Good luck.

Note: The following text has a 99.4% success rate:



Dear Sir,

Jim showed me his checkbook balance.

He's good for it.

signed,
member

[quote name='ChipDriver' timestamp='1426256355' post='11135343']
[quote name='Jimhiggins' timestamp='1426255835' post='11135281']
I am applying for membership at a local club, and I have my requisite two sponsors. My main sponsor I know a decent amount, and the second I have never met (my main guy is helping me out).

They have asked that I write the first draft of the recommendation letters - a perfectly reasonable request. I'm not sure what to write in this situation - how long the letter should be, etc.

Does anyone have any advice or any text from a sample letter they could share? Appreciate it.
[/quote]

Just a suggestion - invite both the 1st and 2nd to dinner and/or to your home for dinner and/or play golf together (it doesn't matter where - but hopefully at the club). It makes the 2nd/him credible that he has met you and socialized with you. My guess is that your first is your good friend and that he in turn is good friends' with the 2nd.

In general the letter should be fairly simply but complete:

"I have met Jim through (the 1st) and we/our families have socialized together and played golf together. During our time together, he and his wife/family has expressed his excitement about becoming an active and supportive member of the club. I believe him - and he has my full endorsement for membership. Signed (2nd)


Good luck.
[/quote]

I am meetin gup with them in a couple weeks, but unfortunately the letters are due now. TIming hasn't worked to get together.

[quote name='Jimhiggins' timestamp='1426257005' post='11135413']
[quote name='ChipDriver' timestamp='1426256355' post='11135343']
[quote name='Jimhiggins' timestamp='1426255835' post='11135281']
I am applying for membership at a local club, and I have my requisite two sponsors. My main sponsor I know a decent amount, and the second I have never met (my main guy is helping me out).

They have asked that I write the first draft of the recommendation letters - a perfectly reasonable request. I'm not sure what to write in this situation - how long the letter should be, etc.

Does anyone have any advice or any text from a sample letter they could share? Appreciate it.
[/quote]

Just a suggestion - invite both the 1st and 2nd to dinner and/or to your home for dinner and/or play golf together (it doesn't matter where - but hopefully at the club). It makes the 2nd/him credible that he has met you and socialized with you. My guess is that your first is your good friend and that he in turn is good friends' with the 2nd.

In general the letter should be fairly simply but complete:

"I have met Jim through (the 1st) and we/our families have socialized together and played golf together. During our time together, he and his wife/family has expressed his excitement about becoming an active and supportive member of the club. I believe him - and he has my full endorsement for membership. Signed (2nd)


Good luck.
[/quote]

I am meetin gup with them in a couple weeks, but unfortunately the letters are due now. TIming hasn't worked to get together.
[/quote]

Then go with what you know - write 2 letters.

First:

"I have known Jim and (wife's name) (Last name) for X years through....(activity/occupation). Jim and (wife's name) have X # of children (names here). Over this time period we have socialized together and we introduced him to (Club) several years ago. He has been to the club for (activities you have been to) and he enjoyed himself very much. When I asked him to become a member - he expressed a great willingness to join. I believe that he and (wife) and his family will be active and supportive of the club, and he will be well received. "


2nd:

"I am 2nding/supporting the application of "Jim and (wife)(Last name) as well as their children X, X, etc. I learned about Jim's application through (1st) whom I have known for several year, and know him to be trustworthy. Therefore I have no reason to doubt his recommendation about (Jim xxx). Therefore, I fully support this new member's application. I am scheduled to meet with Jim and (wife) next week - and if my opinion changes, I will inform the membership committee. Otherwise I look forward to welcoming Jim and the (family) as new members of (club).



How's that?

Good luck.

When I joined my club I was never asked for any such letter. In the interview I simply stated that I knew and played golf with a couple of the existing members. I was also asked to write a check for 50% of the initiation fee and was told I had 6 months to pay the remainder. Over the years I was asked twice if I knew certain people and offer a brief opinion. Later these people became members. I believe our club depends largely on word of mouth and probably does some sort of financial check. My personal belief was that if you could write a 5 digit check on the spot you were 90% admitted.

Basically what ChipDriver said. Short, one paragraph letter. Some clubs take these letters seriously, at others it's a formality left over from the 1950s that they don't bother to get rid of, but I think no club expects the sponsor to write a multi-page biography of their life with you. What is important is that you have actually met the sponsor, even just briefly, before they submit the letter.

Make sure to mention that you are a "huge fan of denim." It works every time.

Don't forget to mention you are a member of golfwrx!

I've belonged to the same club for 18 years. I wasn't asked for a letter or anything else. I was "interviewed" by the membership Chairman, and admitted a couple days later. I didn't know any members either.

My club was cash strapped since the day I joined. Money is the key factor in CC memberships. A winning combination, a poor club, and a prospective member with the ability to pay.