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  1. #1

    Default 'High End' Melbourne Membership

    Hi All,

    I've scoured through a few pages of course threads, but couldn't really find anything relevant or recent for my query. So here goes.

    I may be in a position shortly where I am forced to move from Sydney to Melbourne for work. Currently, I'm a member at Bonnie Doon in Sydney. For my golf, it ticks every box and I really love the club (my only complaint is management). I would argue it is a 'top tier' club in Sydney.

    In browsing around possible courses in Melbourne, it seems challenging to find something equivalent that is:

    1) Somewhat affordable (in the vicinity of 3k for a 5 day membership)
    2) Actually achievable to join without multiple connections
    3) Doesn't have a huge waiting list
    4) Has practice facilities including at least a 200m driving range

    Is what I am looking for realistic in Melbourne? I am not particularly fussed on location, certainly not after inner city.

  2. #2
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    First Qu - what reciprocals does Boonie Doon have in Melb?

    Melb is not more expensive than Sydney...but u need an ‘in’ to become a member of a decent Melb course!
    That ‘in’ may be a recip introduction or a members introduction if you know a few people. 2 members are normally needed (Proposer/seconder) although the top clubs RM/KH/Metro may require up to 6 members intro’s to get in.

    The best golf is in the SE (sandbelt) or Mornington Peninsular. U need to consider travel time as melbourne can take ages to get across and traffic bottle necks and roadworks abound.

    r u there permanently as most of the courses will demand an entrance fee which can be up to $15K. The plus side is that even the second tier courses are better than Sydney’s best. To give u a rough idea on quality, this would be my list of courses to join (in descending order).

    RM/KH/Vic
    Metro/Yarra Yarra/Peninsular
    Woodlands/Huntingdale/Commonwealth
    Spring Valley/Heritage/Keysborough
    Southern/Kew/Patterson Lakes

    numerous other reasonable courses!

    on the Mornington Peninsular, The National is amazing but other reasonable lower priced places (St Andrews Beach) are available.

    There are also good courses down on the Bellarine Peninsular as well. Both Mornington and Bellarine are at least a 75 min drive from Melb CBD.

    Hope that helps!
    Last edited by petethepilot; 6th March 2021 at 06:48 AM.
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  3. #3

    Default

    Hi Pete

    Thanks for such a detailed reply. Will start having a look through those courses.

    Our Victorian Recips are:

    1) 13th Beach
    2) Kew Golf Club
    3) Riversdale
    4) Woodlands

    Of the 4, it seems like Woodlands would be my pick- which seems to be on your list as well.

  4. #4
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    In Melb,
    Woodlands would be your best bet.
    Very good course and at the cheaper end of the scale for Sand belt courses!
    Kew and Riversdale are mudbelt courses. Kew is expensive!
    13th beach is very good but at least 90 minutes from melb!
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  5. #5
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    You won't be upset playing Woodlands every week

    Chopperlink

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  6. #6
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    Woodlands hands down (from that list)


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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by WBennett View Post
    You won't be upset playing Woodlands every week
    All the boys over here raved about Woodlands.




  8. #8

    Default

    Sounds like an easy choice made - to inquire at least! Thanks very much everyone for their 2 cents. It looks like a great track.

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    I did the same move half a lifetime ago, ended up living in Carlton (which I loved), however its a 40 minute drive to Woodlands. Given Woodlands location, may be worth looking at inner SE suburbs to live if the travel is an issue.

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    Just keep in mind most clubs have a considerable wait list - Keysborough where I am, is currently 150 & no longer taking any more applicants. It will be similar everywhere.
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  11. #11
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    Woodlands is one of the busiest clubs in Melbourne, even midweek. And it's always worth reading the most recent Annual Report of any Club you are looking to join, they appear to be in decent financial shape:

    https://www.woodlandsgolf.com.au/cms...2020-Final.pdf

  12. #12
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    Interesting reading here.
    I to am a Member at the Doon.
    One of the guys I play with in our Wednesday groups has just done the same thing albeit he’s retired and moved to be with his family etc...
    Hes joined Woodlands, and I’m pretty sure he got straight in and they waived joining fees because a of recips?
    Don’t quote me but pretty sure that’s what happened.....he may only be a midweek member though?
    I’ll ask the lads on Wednesday.
    Get Hoggy to write you a letter etc first.

  13. #13

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    Quote Originally Posted by Captain Nemo View Post
    Interesting reading here.
    I to am a Member at the Doon.
    One of the guys I play with in our Wednesday groups has just done the same thing albeit he’s retired and moved to be with his family etc...
    Hes joined Woodlands, and I’m pretty sure he got straight in and they waived joining fees because a of recips?
    Don’t quote me but pretty sure that’s what happened.....he may only be a midweek member though?
    I’ll ask the lads on Wednesday.
    Get Hoggy to write you a letter etc first.
    Would be very interested to hear about that Nemo. I'll buy the beers.

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    Do you play Wednesdays....?
    I’ll speak to some of the old boys they will def know, I had a beer with him last round he played but didn’t ask re golf etc...

  15. #15

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    [QUOTE=Webster;1442287]Woodlands is one of the busiest clubs in Melbourne, even midweek. And it's always worth reading the most recent Annual Report of any Club you are looking to join, they appear to be in decent financial shape:

    Webster

    thanks for the link. I was concerned hen Woodlands did the Clubhouse rebuild, but they are in a good position, as you say.
    My quick measure is Liabilities less current assets, which is about $1M at June 2020, and represents an improvement of nearly $0.5M over the year.
    That is, their obligations today aren't high, and the position has improved significantly over the last 12 months. Good measures.
    Whilst the government assistance has helped, I think the several years of improvement suggest a good club operating within their budgets.

    Benje

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    No love for Long Island Petethepilot? isnt it also one of those Melbourne clubs that merged, you get membership of 2 courses for one.
    or was that the course next door.

    Quote Originally Posted by Captain Nemo View Post
    Hes joined Woodlands, and I’m pretty sure he got straight in and they waived joining fees because a of recips?
    Don’t quote me but pretty sure that’s what happened.....he may only be a midweek member though?
    fairly common for reciprocal benefits to include waiting list waivers, but thats always going to be a negotiation between the two clubs as all reciprocating arrangements are.
    Its a shame that most clubs dont appear to make the reciprocal rights information available to members clearly and up to date.
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    Yeh Blakey I’m sure he would have negotiated something being a top real estate agent in double bay over the years!

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    Quote Originally Posted by markTHEblake View Post
    No love for Long Island Petethepilot? isnt it also one of those Melbourne clubs that merged, you get membership of 2 courses for one.
    or was that the course next door.


    fairly common for reciprocal benefits to include waiting list waivers, but thats always going to be a negotiation between the two clubs as all reciprocating arrangements are.
    Its a shame that most clubs dont appear to make the reciprocal rights information available to members clearly and up to date.
    You are behind the times Blakey. Long Is has merged/taken over by The National. You r looking at $20k tojoin and 4.5K per year to play at LI (and yes it is a very good course!
    Last edited by petethepilot; 8th March 2021 at 12:40 PM.
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  19. #19

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    Quote Originally Posted by Captain Nemo View Post
    Do you play Wednesdays....?
    I’ll speak to some of the old boys they will def know, I had a beer with him last round he played but didn’t ask re golf etc...
    Normally Monday/Friday with the odd wednesday here and there. Might have to give it a miss this week with the weather!

  20. #20
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    Woodlands is definitely very busy with some tee time contention for Wednesday and Saturday. The membership seem generally happy with the course presentation and operations.

    Long Island is very nice but a Nash share is currently going for $26k which seems a long way above your budget.
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  21. #21

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    Just to follow up for anyone else reading - have gone with Woodlands, due to the recip arrangement. However, out of all the clubs I did contact (Huntingdale, Commonwealth, Yarra Yarra) they all had very reasonable joining fees and the agreement not been in place, would've been hard to go past.

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    Huntingdale and Commonwealth are complete basket cases as clubs. YY has finished a very well received reno so it would b the pick of those. Woodlands is a great course and full of interesting holes. Your choice!
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  23. #23
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    Quote Originally Posted by brakerider View Post
    Just to follow up for anyone else reading - have gone with Woodlands, due to the recip arrangement. However, out of all the clubs I did contact (Huntingdale, Commonwealth, Yarra Yarra) they all had very reasonable joining fees and the agreement not been in place, would've been hard to go past.
    Mate, sorry to be so late...
    So the old guy I regularly play with got in and 100% didn’t have to pay joining fee, they really looked after him.
    Hopefully you got the same treatment!

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    Quote Originally Posted by petethepilot View Post
    Huntingdale and Commonwealth are complete basket cases as clubs. YY has finished a very well received reno so it would b the pick of those. Woodlands is a great course and full of interesting holes. Your choice!
    Agree, YY would be my pick over Woodlands if the recip deal wasn’t in play


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  25. #25
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    Quote Originally Posted by petethepilot View Post
    Huntingdale and Commonwealth are complete basket cases as clubs. YY has finished a very well received reno so it would b the pick of those. Woodlands is a great course and full of interesting holes. Your choice!
    Pete,

    What are the issues with Commonwealth ?

    I thought they were doing more course renos.


 

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