I could be in. Trying to schedule a match for Thursday but if they’re busy then would be in with a +1.
Note: we tried to play last Thursday but they said only Guilford county residents were allowed (we live in Winston). They wouldn’t let us book a time, but if you have a time not sure how strict they’d be on that.
At the Cardinal? That’s very odd. I played there yesterday with a guy from Winston and a guy from Raleigh. I have a time at 2 on Thursday so if you can make it just add on to that one
Sounds good will check with my friend and let you know.
Any of my Raleigh people have experience with getting the annual “membership” at Lonnie Poole?
I’m considering it, I have my hesitations. I love the course and the actual fee isn’t too bad dollar for dollar if I started playing at Lonnie even 75% of my rounds (I usually play at least 2x/week).
However, that place gets an insane amount of play so getting out there at decent times or less than 5hr rounds is something that keeps me on the fence.
I’d love to join a country club, but for now it’s not in the cards since all the young membership initiations in the area at decent clubs are still $$$$+… any big four or five figure amounts of money are going to our future house (got married end of last year).
So Lonnie would be a filler solution until joining a country club.
Appreciate anyone’s insight here.
I played a round there with 2 guys who had memberships that said getting a tee time was tough, mostly they could play in the afternoons. It’s a great course, but as stated it gets a lot of play.
These fellas also had Tobacco Road Players cards and said it’s easier to get tee times there. A bunch of us in the NC RACDG thread have purchased them and have been playing there every weekend.
Might be worth a little patience. I have a feeling there’s about to be some good deals to be had at clubs.
My next door neighbors just got the Lonnie Poole ‘membership’ - they’ve been using it mostly for walking twilight 9’s from what they’ve told me. Not exactly a great walking course, though.
Does the membership not allow you to make tee times further in advance than the general public?
10 days advance tee times for annual package. 7 days for general public. 14 days for charter partners
@stevearrowood Yea agreed, I’m searching around for those too. I would be happy to be the beneficiary of some reduced initiation fees due to hard economic times. Those clubs make it back on you over the years with monthly dues anyways.
@Double_Bogey_Dave I have seen the TR players card and seems like a pretty good deal. I go to the sandhills to play most of my golf anyways cause the courses are so clearly better. I would love to find somewhere in Raleigh membership wise worth playing frequently to stop fussing with greens fees each trip and cut out the 1:15 drive each way. However, I’ll still be going down that way to play golf semi-frequently. I’ll have to get down to TR sometime soon.
@raleighdawg @hiphipjorge - Yea that pretty much highlights my concerns, I like to play early in the AM and I aint no dummy of course those are the most battled for tee times… plus fighting the public play. Location wise LP being right in Raleigh I could at least make twilight golf often while we have daylight.
I did used to think the same about walking, that it was no good, but I have walked there a few times now and its not as bad as I thought, a few holes are bad like 1 -> 2 -> 3 and I think 7 -> 8.
Anyways, I’m sure I’ll just keep sitting on the sidelines thinking longer on this one. I have watched their annual membership thing for a while but never converted.
True. The things you get out of a club - access, regular groups, camaraderie, etc - don’t show up in the numbers.
For sure a good country club is worth it for all the things you mention. Just gotta find one that doesn’t have silly high initiation fee for a 27 year old trying to buy a house 
Being in literally the exact same boat I have tried to justify the LP annual plan (especially to get the range card) because of how close it is to where I live. The issues you have raised are the reasons why I can’t pull the trigger. I have had too man 5+ hour weekend rounds there to make it worth it. Would I love the afternoon 9 holes more often? Sure. But can that justify me feeling more “forced” to play there because of the membership I dont think so.
Same here. I actually inbounded RCC who quoted me 20k initiation fee (lol) and 580 per month dues. Includes full golf at Treyburn Country Club and TPC Wakefield Plantation for cart fee.
Remaining McConnell Golf owned properties annual access allows for 12 combined visits for cart fees + accompanied guest.
Still hunting…
Feels like just so little competition in Raleigh. There are places on the outskirts, but so few in the population centers.
Since we’re on the topic, how is Brier Creek? I’ve never been there but have vaguely heard good things in passing. Never anything specific.
Yea a friend of mine recently mentioned RCC. I’m like sure its a Donald Ross in Raleigh, sounds great but they’re might proud of it. NRCC similar, they want like $15k initiation for young adult members and similar monthly dues from what I recall.
I guess someone out there forks over those initiation fees, but even if I had it, that is not really a “hey we want young people to join price” so I’ll pass.
Different thought, anyone been over to Tot Hill in recent months?
I played once before, didn’t love it but I am talking with a friend who wants to go see it so we’re thinking about playing.
heard its in real good shape right now…
@BCates has played it recently and can elaborate
@GWB15 Tot Hill is in REALLY good shape right now. The new ownership they have is putting a lot of money into it and it shows. It definitely went through a rough patch for a few years but it has turned around. I love Tot Hill so I see it through a different lens than most but I believe you will not be disappointed.
Played it two weekends ago with my dad, the fairways and a few teeboxes were still a little scuzzy. But the greens were in pretty good shape and it was super fun.
I love Tot Hill, hope it comes all the way back.