Private Clubs Tampa

[Openwater22]

Specifically seeking opinions on Avila, Cheval, Old Memorial. Thinking of relocating the winter base to Channelside area.

[jnier75]

Old Memorial is top notch but caddies are mandatory and no carts allowed on course without a medical condition, gets pretty difficult in the summer to do 36 in the heat.

Cheval is a nice track but the past few years have been rough on the club membership numbers and cash flow, they were on golfnow for a while.

Avila is more for the social aspect, all the big players in the tampa corporate and social scene are members. The course is well designed and has hosted some state tournaments but I think the other two have more character.

Your best bet is to contact each club and schedule a preview round before signing anything. The winter is the best time to see how the courses hold up to increased play and bermuda dormancy, so you'll know exactly how the conditions will stand when your down in the area. Another course you could consider is Palma Ceia. Old Florida style golf, not sure what the wait list is like nowadays though.

[kell]

I concur about Palma Ceia. If you have the dough and can locate yourself near Lake Jovita a membership there could not be beat.

[bbgator]

Concur w/ Palma Ceia, but it's pricey, short and has limited practice facilities. It also has a long waiting list unless you want to drop $200k on a corporate membership. I've never met anyone around here that doesn't love Lake Jovita. It's semi private, as is Cheval, so no membership necessary. Cheval is nothing special.

[mwmgolfx]

For the Clearwater area, you've got FeatherSound, Belleair country club (very pricey), Bayou Club (very nice - moderately expensive), I think Innisbrook also has some memberships.

These are in addition to the ones mentioned. There's Cypress Run in Tarpon Springs.

That's the main ones that I know about in the area.

[Openwater22]

Thanks for the feedback.

[jnier75]

[quote name='myronm' timestamp='1357752234' post='6197385']
For the Clearwater area, you've got FeatherSound, Belleair country club (very pricey), Bayou Club (very nice - moderately expensive), I think Innisbrook also has some memberships.

These are in addition to the ones mentioned. There's Cypress Run in Tarpon Springs.

That's the main ones that I know about in the area.
[/quote]

Unfortunately, Bayou is not what it once was. Conditioning has fallen apart. Greens are still good but fairways are really starting to lack. Unless some progress is made I will not be renewing my membership in the fall.

[b]Edit 1/2014: [/b]
Course conditioning and overall club experience has improved dramatically over the course of the year. Membership is growing steadily and club is doing well. I have maintained my membership and am happy.

[TheHumbleGolfer]

If you're interested, here are reviews/photos of a few privates around Tampa:

Old Memorial: http://onegolferstravels.blogspot.ca/2013/01/old-memorial-golf-club-course-review.html

The Concession: http://onegolferstravels.blogspot.ca/2013/01/the-concession-golf-club-bradenton.html

Palma Ceia: http://onegolferstravels.blogspot.ca/2013/01/palma-ceia-golf-and-country-club-tampa.html

All 3 are very good.

[Birdman813]

Cheval is nothing special at all. Used to work there. Owner insults his employees right in their face.

Started my career at Old Memorial. Beautiful facility with the best practice area around, strong course as well.

[ClarkGrswld4]

How exclusive/expensive is Old Memorial? Is this a club that your average well to do person can join or is it a "you better be filthy rich and know somebody to get in" type of place?

[gr00vetech]

[quote name='ClarkGrswld4' timestamp='1388776884' post='8392011']
How exclusive/expensive is Old Memorial? Is this a club that your average well to do person can join or is it a "you better be filthy rich and know somebody to get in" type of place?
[/quote]

I have only played there once but I got the impression it was more of the second. It's def the type of place that is not intended to be someones only club. It was a great day though!!

[BrianL99]

[quote name='ClarkGrswld4' timestamp='1388776884' post='8392011']
How exclusive/expensive is Old Memorial? Is this a club that your average well to do person can join or is it a "you better be filthy rich and know somebody to get in" type of place?
[/quote]

You will need a direct invite to join Old Memorial, at least from what I've been told by a couple of members. "Average well to do" at Old Memorial is probably $15,000,000 worth.

[peliason]

Anyone have any experienece with Carrollwood Country Club or Tampa Palms/Hunter's Green? Re-locating to the area in the spring and looking for a new club to call home and these places look like great family clubs, decent courses, and have a good price point for under 40 members. Any WRXers have experience there or at similarly priced clubs in the area?

[wdm50]

[quote name='gr00vetech' timestamp='1390184850' post='8492573']
[quote name='ClarkGrswld4' timestamp='1388776884' post='8392011']
How exclusive/expensive is Old Memorial? Is this a club that your average well to do person can join or is it a "you better be filthy rich and know somebody to get in" type of place?
[/quote]

I have only played there once but I got the impression it was more of the second. It's def the type of place that is not intended to be someones only club. It was a great day though!!
[/quote] I played Old Memorial in Jan and came away with the same opinion as you, it was definitely a memorable round, the setup is awesome, but as you I feel like it would be a second course setup. Groove, I don't know if you got the same vibe as me but how many bet's have flipped on those last three hole's, it was like getting dropped on a completely different course. I also played Streamsong Red that weekend , It felt like I was back at Bandon Dunes just no wind or run. I also had a ex-pga caddie at Streamsong that was awesome, one of the best I have ever had. He now loops on the LPGA tour, great guy.

[gr00vetech]

I haven't played streamsong yet but I would be shocked if I would want to play it everyday over Old memorial. I know they aren't the same type of places and very different designs but I thought Old memorial was that good.

[agadawg17171]

I played Avila last week and that is an amazing place! The staff was friendly and accomodating even with our group being guests. Very High class but also relaxed feel. The course itself is excellent and one of the top 2 or 3 I've played in the state. New Champions greens are perfect. Practice facility is top notch. Also love that they don't do tee times. You come out and go when your're ready. If I lived in the area I would join in a second. IMO you won't find much better anywhere.

[Tim_Gavrich]

Wanted to bump this up to the top. Looking at potentially moving to the general area and would love to join somewhere as a "young executive" if it's not outrageous. Belleair at $2,500 initiation and $350 a month (according to their website) looks like a pretty good value; are there others that might be in a similar or slightly lower range for someone in his 20s? Does Avila have a junior membership category? Carrollwood? Countryside? What about the public courses as far as membership? Belleview Biltmore? Temple Terrace? Others?

Thanks in advance for the advice.

[jnier75]

[quote name='Tim Gavrich' timestamp='1406515912' post='9798707']
Wanted to bump this up to the top. Looking at potentially moving to the general area and would love to join somewhere as a "young executive" if it's not outrageous. Belleair at $2,500 initiation and $350 a month (according to their website) looks like a pretty good value; are there others that might be in a similar or slightly lower range for someone in his 20s? Does Avila have a junior membership category? Carrollwood? Countryside? What about the public courses as far as membership? Belleview Biltmore? Temple Terrace? Others?

Thanks in advance for the advice.
[/quote]

You need to focus on picking the area you live and work in first, then narrow down the list of private courses from there. You have listed courses that are over an hour away from each other on a good day. After working all day it's not much motivation to go hit balls if you know you have a 45 minute commute to the course.

If you're looking in Pinellas, good memberships to consider are Bellair, Feather Sound, Bayou and Vinoy. Bellair and Vinoy are the most expensive and I don't have current numbers, Feather Sound is no initiation (rumored to be changing soon) and 350 per month for young exec, Bayou is also no initiation and somewhere between 250-300 per month for young exec. I do not have much information on Countyside CC all I know is that it's in pretty good shape, classic design with some crazy green contours.

For public access, Fox Hollow in Trinity is highly regarded on these boards and has good memberships but I don't know of much infrastructure to occupy a 20 something in that neck of the woods. Not much else public I will recommend. If you do go public, look into the execgolf card, it gives reduced rates to area courses.

[fordy11]

Fox Hollow is a great course in a state of flux - been taken over, not in 100% shape. East lake is only 20 mins away probably a better bet - 2 courses and great practice areas. Lots of courses closer to Tampa also which would suit .

Am assuming TPC Tampa is out of the price range - have no idea but it's such a good place top play it must be!

[golfnut9922]

TPC Tampa Is $2100 then you pay cart fee when you play. No additional food and beverage charges.

Gary

[Ruddy]

I was a member at Feather Sound last year. It changed ownership in March 2014, but the course gets a lot of rain and is way too soft. Personally I didn't care for management priorities, with only 18 holes, any event blocked access, like junior golf or county golf (allows public access once a month). I heard the same thing from TPC Tampa Bay members: they couldn't get on the course because so many events.

I joined East Lake Woodland this year. 36 holes, no initiation fee, a part of Club Corps, no cart fees for 6 months, $350/month, access to Club Corps golf courses worldwide for only cart fees.

[benkodi]

[quote name='Ruddy' timestamp='1407898513' post='9921861']
I was a member at Feather Sound last year. It changed ownership in March 2014, but the course gets a lot of rain and is way too soft. Personally I didn't care for management priorities, with only 18 holes, any event blocked access, like junior golf or county golf (allows public access once a month). I heard the same thing from TPC Tampa Bay members: they couldn't get on the course because so many events.

I joined East Lake Woodland this year. 36 holes, no initiation fee, a part of Club Corps, no cart fees for 6 months, $350/month, access to Club Corps golf courses worldwide for only cart fees.
[/quote]

Feather's new owners have made huge strides in both the condition of the golf course and outside play. The deal the previous regime had made with Bayou Club was a joke.

It's a shame that Fore Golf (primarily Mike Miraglia) drove Feather into the ground. I'm looking forward to the new owners bringing it back up to speed. They are definitely on the right track.

[Titleistphan46]

[quote name='agadawg17171' timestamp='1393939126' post='8794123']
I played Avila last week and that is an amazing place! The staff was friendly and accomodating even with our group being guests. Very High class but also relaxed feel. The course itself is excellent and one of the top 2 or 3 I've played in the state. New Champions greens are perfect. Practice facility is top notch. Also love that they don't do tee times. You come out and go when your're ready. If I lived in the area I would join in a second. IMO you won't find much better anywhere.
[/quote]

I would have to agree with this. Biased, as I worked there for two years. Great course.

[turtlesvs]

Sorry to bring this back from the dead but was wondering if the new owners at Feather Sound had improved things

[benkodi]

Sorry to bring this back from the dead but was wondering if the new owners at Feather Sound had improved things

 

Good question. They have spent a ton of money on the property. In my opinion, it should all be spent on the course, not general landscaping. But, it's not my money.

 

They hired an established PGA Pro who has been around quite a while. He is a strong teacher, but struggles with running shop games, pairing guys up, etc...

 

I think Feather is still trying to find it's place in the market. They charge high end private $, but it's not a high end club (Avila, Palma Ceia, Belleair, etc..). The F&B is lousy and besides the golf, there really aren't any amenities. They have started work with a management company to improve the F&B and clubhouse activity. If this trickles down to golf operations and the golf course, it will probably be a good thing.

 

Pace of play is excellent and you can essentially show up and play any time. Whether or not that's a good thing...you be the judge.

[turtlesvs]

Any thoughts on the quality of the course and driving range as is? Thinking of going in for a tour as being in south tampa its by far the easiest to get to (besides palma ceia which takes connections and time and they have no driving range)

[benkodi]

Any thoughts on the quality of the course and driving range as is? Thinking of going in for a tour as being in south tampa its by far the easiest to get to (besides palma ceia which takes connections and time and they have no driving range)

 

The range is decent. They have a plan for an improved short game area, but there's no timetable.

 

The golf course itself is very solid. Unfortunately, the previous owners cut a ton of corners and the greens and fairway shrunk...a lot. They are in the process of reclaiming some width, but it will take some time. The other huge knock is how wet the golf course is. It just doesn't drain. For instance, after the rain this AM (which wasn't a ton) the golf course is closed until at least noon, maybe the rest of the day.

 

It's worth a look and it is convenient to South Tampa. However, if you're looking to play a lot in the summer, you'll have a ton of sloppy rounds.

[RDH010]

Hoping someone may be able to refresh this thread and current private club power rankings. Interested to see Clearwater/Belleair options included as well.

[dock4]

Ditto, I am moving to Tampa and would love to get an update on this thread as well.  I am looking to live in Palm Harbor/Tarpon Springs/Trinity areas.  I would love to get opinions on Innisbrook, Cypress Run, Wentworth courses and neighborhoods. 

 

Thank you

[argoodman]

In the Tampa Bay Area, there are only 2-3 private courses that are difficult to get on.  I used lust after playing at Old Memorial, Palma Ceia or Avila.  That is not how I play golf anymore.  5 hour rounds of golf and losing time to be with my family is not my objective.

 

I think it all comes down to what you want.  I am a member at Belleair.  I can take my six year old anytime to the driving range without other members angrily glaring.  In the afternoon, we can easily play holes and not be concerned when 3 holes is enough.  It is a good, golf family environment.  I wanted a club where I can jump in a cart, practice easily, play easily and not be concerned about caddies.

 

PS. They have 36 holes.