Q&A With Jerrod
Director of Membership
Grey Oaks Country Club
Jerrod, many area private clubs have entered a new era of “waitlists” for full golf memberships. This development has been a growing point of concern for buyers and the real estate agents who are representing them. Do most private clubs with a waitlist offer a “preview” membership to bridge the gap between member-in-waiting to full member? If so, how does that typically work in terms of golf course access during season?
You are correct, this is a growing concern for all parties in the buying process. Each Club does its best to offer the most complete amenity package they can, while still protecting the integrity of the golf experience at the Club. That said, I believe the majority of Clubs offer some sort of limited golf course access for their members-in-waiting, either in the form of afternoon golf or a certain limited number of rounds per month.
Should a real estate agent engage with a membership director the same as if the club was not waitlisted in terms of member tours?
Yes, absolutely! I know at Grey Oaks we still want a chance to meet the potential buyers and introduce them to all that the Club has to offer, which also gives us the opportunity to give the most up-to-date information in regards to waitlist offerings and expectations.
Do you sense a waitlisted private club would still entertain a prospective member during season months with a round of golf?
This is a great question, but my instinct is yes most Clubs will still entertain a prospective buyer with a round of golf. The truth is, you can’t expect someone to make an investment into your Club without allowing them an opportunity to see and experience what they’re buying into. In fact, it could be argued that given the waitlist situation at most Clubs, it will cause the buyer to do more research and be better informed which increases the importance of that prospective member round.
How frequently during the season months should a real estate agent check-in with the membership director regarding changes to club…i.e…initiation fee increases, membership capacity being reached, capital improvement plans past, etc.
Historically speaking this was something you could do once or maybe twice per season and you had all the information you needed to be successful. However, given the increased demand in Club membership, I recommend that an agent checks in with the Club any time they have a new interested buyer in that community. In today’s market, things are changing very rapidly in regards to capacity, privileges, and joining fees, so contacting the Club to get accurate information is essential.
Finally, what is one suggestion you would share with a real estate agent – from the perspective of a club official – regarding how to manage expectations of a home buyer who really wants to purchase in a specific club community but there is a 6+ month waitlist to join the club?
This is a great question. I think the number one thing I would encourage real estate agents to communicate to their home buyers facing a 6+ month waitlist is the idea that the buyer may have a short-term limited golf experience for a long-term quality golf experience. Most Southwest Florida Clubs are now reaching waitlists, and nobody wants an overcrowded golf course so it is necessary to protect the member experience in its entirety. By limiting the waitlist member access for a short period while they are getting settled into the Club, they actually protect the longer-term experience of the full Golf membership. In other words, good things come to those who wait!
