Anyone know anything about Stonehenge in Barrington? My one non-refuge golf friend just got in and the prices are pretty freaking cheap.
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Haven’t played it but have a family friend who joined a couple years ago because his daughter and her friends were getting into golf. He wasn’t a very serious golfer but said it was nice and very affordable.
Super wide range obviously.
$50 to $150k
Splurged and added on WBC as well.
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I don’t think anywhere is really hurting for members now. There are a lot of clubs that I’d consider to be pretty middle of the road from a golf course perspective (don’t know or care about anything else) that have 5+ year waitlists with guys throwing down $20-50k just to play 10 rounds a year while they wait. Definitely not a buyer’s market.
But depending on where you live, how old you are, and your specific needs I think there are probably still some good options out there.
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Can confirm that courses like Kemper Lakes, Bull Valley, Royal Fox & Hawk, The Grove all have openings.
You can always inquire about membership, cost, etc on their websites to see if they’re accepting new members.
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I am at a Southside club and we actually have a waitlist now definitely not hurting for members and they are charging 25k to get in. I paid 0 to get in 8 years ago. Wild people are paying it.
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Last year I want to say cost was $1200 for the year for an “anytime” membership.
Green fees were $30ish to 50ish pending on the week.
It’s mostly “just” golf. No alcohol allowed on property, limited driving range/practice area, and not much in the way of food options.
But that golf course is SO fun. Front 9 is wide open with a decent amount of water. Back 9 heads for the hills and woods. Greens in sneaky good shape for something as “basic” as Stonehenge can be.
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So you had to pay greens fees on top of already having a membership?
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That is correct.
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Is this a relatively normal thing? Coming from a V small town west of Chicago, the memberships for my semi-private club were $125 (18-25 if not on a family membership), $500 (26-30), $1200 (30+), $1500 family and covered just golf. Carts were the only add on, so to speak. It’s also a very Strappily run operation with hot dogs, sandwiches, and frozen pizza as the primary food options.
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'18-'19 I started feeling around for the jr exec and like rates, many courses had no wait and nice to no entry fee and payment plans for sub-40s. My request for info from a couple clubs would have follow up. Then the pandemic hits and they don’t need to follow up.
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It is nuts what has happened post pandemic in the private golf world. My club used to run great deals for prospective members etc now its, here is your number on the waitlist and if/when we call buck up 25 grand o and we are in the middle of a 3 year capital assessment! 
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That’s what I want to hear.
Guest fees are only like $10 over member rate.
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I’ve inquired at a few clubs in my area (Aurora CC, Stonebridge, White Eagle) and for sub-40 you’re looking at $5-7.5k initiation and then around $600-800 a month in dues (including yearly stuff). Throw in assessments, cart fees, etc you’re probably looking at another $2k. Then events and food minimums another $2k.
Stonebridge was offering discounted initiation but you had to commit to 3 years. I expect they are anticipating some attrition.
Adds up quick!
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I love Kemper Lakes, they are building new tee boxes last time I was there. Think they want back in the tournament golf world.
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This is my kind of membership! How far west are we talking IV or Quad Cities?
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Yeah they had a GREAT week with crappy weather for the KPMG Women’s PGA.
It’s definitely a championship facility and golf course. The final 3 holes are great theatre, there are loads of good risk/reward holes, and there’s a big enough footprint to host fans and have easy parking (even with the new housing build up along 1-3).
It’s not the most “fan friendly” walking course out there - but I still think it’s the most worthy of a yearly tour stop of any course in the area (not playoff or major related)
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been waffling on this one for the better part of a year
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Also @BigBallerBurny welcome!
We’re gonna need your domestic beer and pizza place of choice…
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