Main Line area National/Non-Resident Memberships

[thewral]

Hey all,

First - as a New Englander I am jealous of the activity on this forum, vs. the Northeast forum 🙂

 

Background: I am married in my mid 30s, and am in the area 1-2 times a month for work (my office is based in Radnor but I mostly work remote). I play to a 5-6.  I may move to the Main Line area in ~2-3 years but for now am traveling in. Looking to join a club in the Main Line area as a national/non-resident and be able to play from time to time when I'm in town, use the range/dining/gym, and host friends/coworkers from a business standpoint.  Ideally, the course to be within 20 or so minutes from the Radnor area (I'm seeing tons of great clubs in this area).

 

I'm not concerned about initiation/fees, but more concerned with sponsors/networking and getting in since I don't have any material connections in the area.  For example, I had reached out to Philly Cricket and got some great information, but they need 5 sponsors, etc. I did inquire if the membership committee could facilitate that process as someone with no roots in the area and they suggested that it may be a possibility but would be a difficult and lengthy process. Most of my coworkers in the area play publics or are members of clubs that probably don't offer/cater to a National audience.

 

I'm happy to go through the monthslong+ "process" for certain clubs given the current state of golf but wanted to reach out and hear the groups collective wisdom and guidance. Thank you!

[Drudersh]

Not sure if the below clubs have anything in terms of a national membership, but these would be my suggestions based on 1) How I feel about the golf course/facilities 2) My dining experiences for the sake of entertaining friends and business associates 3) accounting for little to no concern about initiation fees 4) Assumed current accessibility (I may be wrong, others feel free to set me straight) and I would kind of just assume everyone is going to have a waitlist at this point. 

 

1) Applebrook - I believe they even have rooms you can book for overnight stays, food is excellent, course is excellent. I would assume there is a waitlist at this point, but it may not be as deep as Cricket's. 

 

2) Waynesborough 

 

3) Rolling Green 

 

4) Whitemarsh Valley 

 

5) White Manor

 

6) Overbrook 

 

Clubs I would avoid/don't waste your time calling - St. Davids, Radnor Valley, Aronimink, Philadelphia Country Club, Gulph Mills 

[jibbs1082]

Rolling Green is making more of a push of National Members - they just hosted a Forme Tour event (branch off of the Canadian Tour because of covid border restrictions)... Pro is from Baltusrol, Sup is from Winged Foot and Gil Hanse is doing some work. Will be a lock for a US Am soon... (They hosted the Women's Am a couple of years ago). If you are a pure golfer, I would 10/10 recommend... this course has a higher potential in the near future than anything else on that list and will likely be Cricket level before long. 

 

Also would recommend Apple from that list... the rest are just generic country clubs IMO.

 

 

[thewral]

Thanks both!  I’ve inquired at both Applebrook and RG to start. 

[PingGuy123]

I believe there is a waitlist now for Applebrook. Not sure if that applies to national membership however.