Private Clubs in Westchester

[AroundTownGuy]

Hi all - Great information in past posts.
 

Before I start asking around, would love to understand the mood, demographics, personality of each higher end club. 

 

For reference, under 40 (towards the end of that range), culturally Jewish, and in finance. Both my spouse and I play and would both look for a place where we could host clients and also meet/socialize. Ideally would have a pool and tennis, but not absolutely necessary. 
 

From an initiation fee perspective, household view is we would rather pay up…

[Lions1988]

Look at Leewood Golf Club in Eastchester. It checks off all your boxes. My buddy is a member I've played the course a bunch of times. Its tight and always in excellent condition. If I didn't move out of the state I would have joined. Good luck in your search. 

Edited June 4, 2023 by Lions1988
spelling

[AroundTownGuy]

Thanks. Not to overly complicate but any other clubs that could have a refundable deposit?  Ok with six figure amounts especially if fully refundable. 

[Abh159]

14 minutes ago, AroundTownGuy said:

Thanks. Not to overly complicate but any other clubs that could have a refundable deposit?  Ok with six figure amounts especially if fully refundable. 

 

FWIW I'm not aware of any private clubs anywhere in the country that offer a fully refundable initiation fee. 

 

Your best shot at getting money back if you leave would be to join an equity club where you "sell" your membership should you decide to leave. However, there is no guarantee that the price at that time will be equivalent to the price you initially paid, or if there will even be anyone to buy it should golf popularity / private club interest decline.

 

Also, most equity clubs require a full membership in order to be an equity member which will be significantly more expensive. Meaning you couldn't join as a Junior Member, Jr Exec Member, or etc.

[DonatelloNobodie]

Never expect to get your initiation fee back.  Search the web for lawsuits regarding 'refundable' fees and fine print.

 

The only positive experience that I know of is with a corporate membership.  I formed a corporation for the sole purpose of buying a corporate membership.  With a job relocation, I later sold the corporation, which included the membership.

[AroundTownGuy]

Thanks. Any general differences between Brae Burn, Old Oaks, and Century re membership base / vibes? 

[KensingtonPark]

I don't really think Century is in the same category as other courses if you know its history. It's a unique membership agreement and terms, and really only for people who don't worry at all about money.

[Schley]

Great area for golf.

 

Edited July 28, 2023 by Schley

[fundustrial]

Quaker Ridge. Great (and challenging) track, large Jewish membership and a solid place to host friends and business relationships. 
 

There are clubs where a chunk of your initiation is a bond and technically should get some back if you leave, but as suggested above I’d treat initiation as a sunk cost. 

[darom86]

Can anyone speak to Old Oaks in terms of vibes, course, formality?  And do they have a junior membership category or what is the ballpark cost post Covid boom?

[sabram]

On 6/7/2023 at 9:02 PM, AroundTownGuy said:

Thanks. Any general differences between Brae Burn, Old Oaks, and Century re membership base / vibes? 

I used to be hosted at these clubs, but haven't visited them in more than five years, so take these observations with a grain of salt as the clubs may have evolved since I last visited. These were my impressions:

Brae Burn is less expensive than the other two and a bit more young family oriented. The course is very good, but not in the same league as the other two.

 

 Century has an excellent course. The club is very low key and you'd never suspect that the socio- economic level of the membership is what it is because the members are very down to earth and the club house is very "old school" with no ostentation. The locker room is very cool.

 

Old Oaks also has an excellent golf course. I could  play either Old Oaks or Century every day. Old Oaks felt a bit stuffier and formal than the other two and has a posh clubhouse. 

 

All three were very welcoming to guests, have great staffs in their clubhouses and pro shops.

 

If these are in your budget, you might also consider Quaker Ridge and Metropolis, although I don't know the wait list status of any of these. 

 

Another option is Whippoorwill. It's one of my favorite courses/clubs in Westchester.  It has less of a Jewish membership history than the others mentioned, but has a friendly, diverse membership.

[JimMLINY]

On 6/4/2023 at 4:58 PM, Lions1988 said:

Look at Leewood Golf Club in Eastchester. It checks off all your boxes. My buddy is a member I've played the course a bunch of times. Its tight and always in excellent condition. If I didn't move out of the state I would have joined. Good luck in your search. 

I grew up in Yonkers.  The Leewood Drive entrance southbound on Bronx River Parkway was put there so Babe Ruth could make Yankee Stadium on time after he played a round at Leewood Golf Club before a game.  Yup, "before".