Best Philly Junior Membership Clubs?

[Chafer]

I'm looking to join a course in the Philadelphia area. I live right near Bala Golf but it's not exactly what I'd like (short, limited practice facilities). I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions? Best bang for the buck.

 

Looked at Llanerach (spendy)

White Manor

Applebrook

LuLu (little bit of a hike)

[jjm2214]

There are so many good ones in that area that its kind of hard to pick just one...the ones you listed are all solid options but maybe look at Chester Valley and Rolling Green also

[Chafer]

Thanks! I havent played Rolling Green but its right in the area so I may check that out.

[jjm2214]

You won't be disappointed...a great classic golf course that is a true test of golf

[Drudersh]

Applebrook is fannnnntastic. As is White Manor. I think Applebrook will be slightly cheaper for a Junior Membership. Other benefit to Applebrook is it is just golf, no other amenities. So you will avoid playing behind Mr and Mrs Havecamp and their grand kids on a Saturday afternoon. The course is usually wide open and always in great shape. Good players out there too.

[Chafer]

Bala Golf is two miles from my loft but the practice area is abysmal and while a tough track it is short and a little beat up. Radnor Valley is a great option but the only one looking for a $5k buy in on top of dues. Applebrook looks to be the clear front runner as it's close enough to home and even closer to my office.

Appreciate the feedback guys.

[jjm2214]

[quote name='Chafer' timestamp='1410013024' post='10074799']
Bala Golf is two miles from my loft but the practice area is abysmal and while a tough track it is short and a little beat up. Radnor Valley is a great option but the only one looking for a $5k buy in on top of dues. Applebrook looks to be the clear front runner as it's close enough to home and even closer to my office.

Appreciate the feedback guys.
[/quote]

One thing to keep in mind with Applebrook is that its walking only...so you may have to factor in caddie fee for any morning round

[Chafer]

With the junior membership I will be excluded from having a caddy.

[alexgmbh]

LuLu will by far be the most affordable and is a really fun course. If you're willing to spend some money on an initiation, Rolling Green is a fantastic club. Golf only, good membership, and one of the best courses in Philly.

Applebrook is really nice, but you might have trouble finding other guys to play with. And once you hit the max age for junior membership you're looking at initiation fees in the range of a new Audi A7.

[Drudersh]

[quote name='alexgmbh' timestamp='1414089349' post='10339679']
LuLu will by far be the most affordable and is a really fun course. If you're willing to spend some money on an initiation, Rolling Green is a fantastic club. Golf only, good membership, and one of the best courses in Philly.

Applebrook is really nice, but you might have trouble finding other guys to play with. And once you hit the max age for junior membership you're looking at initiation fees in the range of a new Audi A7.
[/quote]

Used to be that way, yes, but not anymore. My high school golf team played there when it first opened and I had heard initiation was as high as 125K$. Now it's nowhere near that.

[tw422]

applebrook is still in the $30-50k initiation range. it's one of the top courses in phila region and is not hurting for members. their head pro played in the PGA Championship and a lot of Aronmink members have a second membership there. the jr membership is nice way to get guys in and then convert them once they've aged and moved up in their professional careers and are making more money. while the initiation may not a the price of an A7 it's still close to a new 328xi .

[Noles]

What is the normal minimum age for junior memberships?

[Drudersh]

My club is up until 35. I know some that are 30 but the number seems to trending towards 35.

[Noles]

Minimum age. Maybe I am thinking about something different. When I think of a junior membership, I consider that a teenager who joins by himself. Usually they must not have graduated from college yet. After that, membership usually has a name like young professional or something like that.

[Drudersh]

We don't have a category for that. Our intermediate or junior membership goes from 21-35. Can't say I've seen that category too often as it's probably not too often clubs will get inquiries like this.

[Sir Larry Wildman]

First, the other clubs aren't even in the same league as Applebrook. No offense to any White Manor members on here but it's very true. Applebrook is seriously underrated when it comes to Philly courses - I would put it only behind Merion, Aronimink and possibly Rolling Green. Also behind Lanc CC and SVCC if you consider them Philly suburb courses. Also, as others have mentioned, it's in another price range. Full iniation is still around an A7, to continue that metaphor. They do have junior members - I know a couple, but it's a very small group, and those who have called it a second club for Aronimink members aren't far off.

In terms of junior golf, you'd be better served joining Philly Cricket. Hey have a ton of young players and two great courses. Also, I would look at HVCC. They have a super affordable junior program.

[Chafer]

[quote name='Sir Larry Wildman' timestamp='1414271666' post='10350117']
First, the other clubs aren't even in the same league as Applebrook. No offense to any White Manor members on here but it's very true. Applebrook is seriously underrated when it comes to Philly courses - I would put it only behind Merion, Aronimink and possibly Rolling Green. Also behind Lanc CC and SVCC if you consider them Philly suburb courses. Also, as others have mentioned, it's in another price range. Full iniation is still around an A7, to continue that metaphor. They do have junior members - I know a couple, but it's a very small group, and those who have called it a second club for Aronimink members aren't far off.

In terms of junior golf, you'd be better served joining Philly Cricket. Hey have a ton of young players and two great courses. Also, I would look at HVCC. They have a super affordable junior program.
[/quote]

Do you know how Philly Cricket compares to Applebrook financially? I recently played the nine hole course with a buddy's co-worker. He is probably my age or so (28-30) and has a family membership so I'd imagine the junior exec option is feasible.

Right now I'm being spoiled with my boss's TPC membership.

[Sir Larry Wildman]

[quote name='Chafer' timestamp='1414279414' post='10350623']
[quote name='Sir Larry Wildman' timestamp='1414271666' post='10350117']
First, the other clubs aren't even in the same league as Applebrook. No offense to any White Manor members on here but it's very true. Applebrook is seriously underrated when it comes to Philly courses - I would put it only behind Merion, Aronimink and possibly Rolling Green. Also behind Lanc CC and SVCC if you consider them Philly suburb courses. Also, as others have mentioned, it's in another price range. Full iniation is still around an A7, to continue that metaphor. They do have junior members - I know a couple, but it's a very small group, and those who have called it a second club for Aronimink members aren't far off.

In terms of junior golf, you'd be better served joining Philly Cricket. Hey have a ton of young players and two great courses. Also, I would look at HVCC. They have a super affordable junior program.
[/quote]

Do you know how Philly Cricket compares to Applebrook financially? I recently played the nine hole course with a buddy's co-worker. He is probably my age or so (28-30) and has a family membership so I'd imagine the junior exec option is feasible.

Right now I'm being spoiled with my boss's TPC membership.
[/quote]

I do. Applebrook is around $5k with minimums and capital dues. Philly Cricket is around $3k with minimums and capital dues. So I do think it's cheaper. But those are very rough numbers.

[Drudersh]

I played with a kid recently in a PA state event who is a junior member at Philly Cricket, told me it was around 4500$/year. Not sure if that includes and minimums, but they have great players that call that their home course.

[TKD24]

Commonwealth also has a great junior membership. Very affordable and non-equity. Top 25 course in PA.

PM me if you want more info.

[Chafer]

Thanks for the insight. After playing Phila Cricket I was itching to join so making some calls.

[hummel]

Looking for the same thing right now in the Philly area, I was previously a member at Talamore and am currently looking at Rolling Green, Whitemarsh Valley, or Philly Cricket.

All of them have some type of deal for intermediate/junior members.

[Chafer]

Little update for anyone looking still:

Philly Cricket has a pretty great deal going for Intermediate Juniors. You can join the St. Martins course (9 Hole but a blast) and get all the amenities of their new club house there PLUS 8 rounds at the Wissahickon course. That would run you about $1,400 alone for the rounds there so a great deal. They also have some great club sports and affinity groups like Business and Finance or Real Estate.

I believe it is:

$1K for 21-25
$1,500 for 26-30
$2,500 for 31-35

[lionman19380]

[quote name='Chafer' timestamp='1422535530' post='10840083']
Little update for anyone looking still:

Philly Cricket has a pretty great deal going for Intermediate Juniors. You can join the St. Martins course (9 Hole but a blast) and get all the amenities of their new club house there PLUS 8 rounds at the Wissahickon course. That would run you about $1,400 alone for the rounds there so a great deal. They also have some great club sports and affinity groups like Business and Finance or Real Estate.

I believe it is:

$1K for 21-25
$1,500 for 26-30
$2,500 for 31-35
[/quote]

Are you able to play Militia Hill at all?

[Bonneville85308]

Does Philly Cricket require you to take a caddie if you want to walk?

[Chafer]

[quote name='lionman19380' timestamp='1422633729' post='10848589']
[quote name='Chafer' timestamp='1422535530' post='10840083']
Little update for anyone looking still:

Philly Cricket has a pretty great deal going for Intermediate Juniors. You can join the St. Martins course (9 Hole but a blast) and get all the amenities of their new club house there PLUS 8 rounds at the Wissahickon course. That would run you about $1,400 alone for the rounds there so a great deal. They also have some great club sports and affinity groups like Business and Finance or Real Estate.

I believe it is:

$1K for 21-25
$1,500 for 26-30
$2,500 for 31-35
[/quote]

Are you able to play Militia Hill at all?
[/quote]

Not certain on that but I will inquire and let you know.

[Chafer]

[quote name='cherokee8215' timestamp='1422729455' post='10857127']
Does Philly Cricket require you to take a caddie if you want to walk?
[/quote]

Most juniors do not need a caddie. May be dependent on age.

[atlambert2]

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

[Noles]

I don't know anything about Coatesville but I think you will like Applecross. Its not a classic design, and a couple holes are a little odd but overall it is a good course. The benefit of a membership at Applecross is that you can play anytime at Talamore (where I am a member) and you will be able to play at Club Corp courses. Hartefeld National being the closest one to you. Feel free to ask if you have any questions.

[wrayner]

Coming from a guy who used to work at Philly Cricket, if I was looking to join a place it would be there. The re-design of Wisshahickon is awesome and Militia Hill is great as well. It has an excellent practice facility and a ton of really good younger and older players. The member tournament program is second to none from my time in the golf business.