Country Clubs in Los Angeles during COVID

[jsmonteii]

Hey All

Was getting pretty far along with Mountaingate before the closure. I am located on the Westside so made a lot of sense to me and is reasonably priced. Had gotten a round in there and seemed a good choice.

 

I am no longer able to email the membership advisor- potentially laid off as the email bounced back. Nor can I get ahold of anyone through the main line,

 

Anyone know the status of Mountaingate at the moment? Any other clubs that might be attractive near that price point? Looking at junior memberships.

 

Thanks all.

[jsmith91]

There was an interesting article for young exec memberships in LA (google "golf in los angeles part royal and part disney") I am in the same boat, looking... I'm not a huge fan of the course or limited flight range at Mountaingate but it is convenient and the price is right.

[kruges1130]

Hate to break it to you, but that article is a reprint from 1973. I'd imagine the prices have gone up a bit (a ton) since since then!

[jsmith91]

@kruges1130 hahaha I guess I read the date and moved past the italics. That makes a TON more sense now lol .... still an interesting read

[KParks]

I recently joined up at MountainGate (joined at the start of the year) and posted my thoughts in the other thread but I'll copy them here as well:

5 full months in (though lost nearly 3 to COVID) and I'm pretty happy (definitely happy with what you get for what you pay, which, relatively speaking isn't that much compared to other courses on the west side). I've got my favorites of the three 9s already (imo, South best, then North, Lake last, although South #9 is by far the worst single hole on the course). A few more pros/cons:

Almost everyone that I've met has been very friendly (I can only think of 2 old codgers that have been grumps, and I figure you are going to have at least someone like that everywhere). FWIW, being relatively young (36) I appreciate that there are a decent (although not huge) number of other younger members and they have all been super chill.We've got a bit of weird tee time system, which is then even more messed up right now because of COVID, but it works well enough, as a single I've never had a problem getting early weekend tee times (having a young kid at home, this is really the only time I can find time to play 18, I just squeeze in 9 hole rounds other times) even though I haven't found a regular game yet, I have been invited to some, just my schedule is pretty particular and early. Having the three 9s also makes it really easy to get out for a quick 9 holes before/after work as it doesn't mess with the tee sheet. Given the relatively low cost and low barriers to entry (you can pay, you get in basically), the course does have a lot of members and sees a lot of play so it is rarely empty, but I've never found a time that it is impossible to get out either (other than the first weekend back after COVID).The range is definitely the weakest area of the club. Decently sized (never have had a problem having a spot, even on tournament days) but we have to rotate between mats and grass based on something (I honestly haven't figured it out, maybe days of the week? ground conditions? whatever they feel like that day?) and the balls are limited flight. Short game area is smallish but works --> Mid range pitching area that also has a decent bunker, smaller chipping only green, and then an ok sized putting green. Also have a small putting green over by the other two nines as well (so you've got a putting green relatively close to each starting tee at least). Definitely among the weaker practice facilities compared to private and resort courses I've played around the country/world... but (sadly?) not actually that bad for Los Angeles. I mean Brentwood and Bel-Air also have tiny ranges with limited flight golf balls, and while I've gotten to hit off grass the couple of times I played Brentwood, I've also had to hit off of mats the couple of times I played Bel-Air (not sure again, how/if they rotate between grass and mats) and those are $100k+ initiation places (I think maybe even closer to $200k nowadays).They are just finishing a refresh of the clubhouse which is pretty nice (not going to knock your socks off probably, but definitely good). Food for breakfast/lunch is pretty good (although not near as good as Bel-Air, the food there is AWESOME), but haven't had a chance to try dinner yet (thanks COVID! Also traffic trying to get anywhere in LA in the evenings). Got the little free things that make it feel like a private club (free coffee, bagels, toaster, spreads and fruit you can just grab and go with in the mornings on weekends).Finally, would note that while it took them a couple of tries to figure it out, AmericanGolf did do right by the members during the COVID shutdown. During the "full" shutdown months (March, April and May I think? I'm honestly losing track, although we are in a more or less fully reopened golf state now with some social distancing measures) they charged us 80% of our dues BUT everything that we paid for dues during those shutdown months we get as credit to use on food, cart fees, merchandise, guest fees (basically anything except dues) going forward (no expiration). Also suspended all F&B minimums. Compared to what I've heard from the big equity clubs where they were just still charging full dues, no discounts, no credits or anything it is great. Obviously they are some downsides to being a corporate owned club, but with this at least they did well.

If you are interested in more info feel free to drop me a PM and if you are serious about joining and don't know somebody that is already a member let me know (we have a referral program we can use to get you a reduction in initiation).