Kingsley Club Sold to Escalante Golf

[knickerbocker]

Glad to hear Kingsley is doing well and things won't be changing much.  It is still my goal to join someday as a local member.  Hopefully there won't be a waiting list...

[golfortennis]

On 4/4/2022 at 10:58 AM, knickerbocker said:

Glad to hear Kingsley is doing well and things won't be changing much.  It is still my goal to join someday as a local member.  Hopefully there won't be a waiting list...

 

I wouldn't want to join a club that would have you as a mem--- wait.. oh never mind.

🤣

[joshrad_golf]

I know that the owners of Escalante golf are good people, but I  have heard quite a few negative reviews from their members. They have such prestigious golf clubs in their portfolio, though. It's a weird dichotomy.

[Phreddy]

5 hours ago, joshrad_golf said:

I know that the owners of Escalante golf are good people, but I  have heard quite a few negative reviews from their members. They have such prestigious golf clubs in their portfolio, though. It's a weird dichotomy.

It is a very mercantile relationship.  Each club has a "general manager," although it is clear that all decisions/policy are made at corporate in Dallas.  The GM hires and fires the on the ground staff and is the face of the franchise, but his authority is very very limited.  Corporate is always on top of the numbers and their intent is to charge a premium fee for a generally superior product.  They are, in my experience, good business people and uphold their end of the bargain.  But it is a "club" only in the sense that it is private.  If as a member you expect your opinion to have any sway you will be disappointed.  I suspect some of the negative may be from people with a more traditional club experience that would cater more to a members interests and wishes.  Being a member of an Escalante club is a business arrangement.  From what I've seen they are not shy about reinvesting in their properties and consistently being in the upper quartile of their regional markets.

[Qswipe1]

Go to the Fried Egg and read the Smashing Pumpkin article.  Pretty telling.

 

[KansasGolfer42]

On 1/17/2022 at 11:26 PM, Chanceman said:

Phred, do you think they will be as receptive to requests from visitors to play at Kingsley? I believe they have been quite amenable to that in the past.

Unfortunately I can tell you they are not receptive at all. I'll be in Traverse in late July and called to see if a letter/call from my Club Pro could get me a round during my trip and they said they will only allow members accompanied/sponsored guests. This coming from a well respected private club that hasn't had problems elsewhere. Tried thousandgreens too, but unfortunately no luck getting on Kingsley. 

[lipw87]

edit-should've read first ^^.  bummer!

 

is kingsley friendly to a call from a pro to get a group on?

we're in canada, but i saw this place on an NLU video a while ago and it got added to my list.  would love to tick it off.

Edited January 2, 2023 by lipw87

[cassel191919]

On 1/2/2023 at 4:30 PM, lipw87 said:

edit-should've read first ^^.  bummer!

 

is kingsley friendly to a call from a pro to get a group on?

we're in canada, but i saw this place on an NLU video a while ago and it got added to my list.  would love to tick it off.

You should still try and give it a shot, the worst they can say is no and it is worth the try to play. 

[BG5]

Cost to join in 2023 is now a $25,000 initiation fee and $5500 a year dues.....not terrible but no longer the steal it used to be.  I can remember when I first started looking at this place 10 years ago the initiation fee was $3000 with $2800 annual dues....now that was a steal of a deal 🙂

[knickerbocker]

On 1/13/2023 at 6:52 PM, BG5 said:

Cost to join in 2023 is now a $25,000 initiation fee and $5500 a year dues.....not terrible but no longer the steal it used to be.  I can remember when I first started looking at this place 10 years ago the initiation fee was $3000 with $2800 annual dues....now that was a steal of a deal 🙂

 

Is that national or local membership?

[BG5]

12 hours ago, knickerbocker said:

 

Is that national or local membership?

 

Knicker,

 

The regular membership at Kingsley is $25,000 initiation fee with $5500 annual dues and no food for bev requirements.

 

The national membership at Kingsley is $20,000 initiation fee with $4800 annual dues and no food, bev, or lodging requirements.

 

Things have def changed in terms of price compared to a decade ago 🙂  I would guess at some point prices will come down in the next decade....maybe not especially if TC continues to grow at the pace it is now.  I think alot of people on the West Coast have figured out that TC is a great place to spend summer months....cheap properties (compared to west coast) a major airport with direct flights to denver makes it easy to travel to most locations quickly and an abundance of fresh water (Great lakes makes of 20% of the worlds freshwater) so there will never be a water issue in Michigan.

 

I plan to retire and spend my summer months in Northern Michigan and want to get a membership someplace.  Kingsley was at the top of the list but its not cheap 🙂  True North is another nice option and last I checked it was $5000 to join and dues around $5000 a year.  

 

Boyne has a good deal which includes Bay Harbor so you have access to Bay Harbor and all other 10 or 11 Boyne courses and runs like $7500 buy in fee and dues around $5500.  If you dont want Bay Harbor included its like $4000 buy in and dues around $4000 a year

 

But there are so many nice public tracks in Northern Michigan it my be well worth just to hop around and play them all and not get a membership

[cassel191919]

1 hour ago, BG5 said:

 

Knicker,

 

The regular membership at Kingsley is $25,000 initiation fee with $5500 annual dues and no food for bev requirements.

 

The national membership at Kingsley is $20,000 initiation fee with $4800 annual dues and no food, bev, or lodging requirements.

 

Things have def changed in terms of price compared to a decade ago 🙂  I would guess at some point prices will come down in the next decade....maybe not especially if TC continues to grow at the pace it is now.  I think alot of people on the West Coast have figured out that TC is a great place to spend summer months....cheap properties (compared to west coast) a major airport with direct flights to denver makes it easy to travel to most locations quickly and an abundance of fresh water (Great lakes makes of 20% of the worlds freshwater) so there will never be a water issue in Michigan.

 

I plan to retire and spend my summer months in Northern Michigan and want to get a membership someplace.  Kingsley was at the top of the list but its not cheap 🙂  True North is another nice option and last I checked it was $5000 to join and dues around $5000 a year.  

 

Boyne has a good deal which includes Bay Harbor so you have access to Bay Harbor and all other 10 or 11 Boyne courses and runs like $7500 buy in fee and dues around $5500.  If you dont want Bay Harbor included its like $4000 buy in and dues around $4000 a year

 

But there are so many nice public tracks in Northern Michigan it my be well worth just to hop around and play them all and not get a membership

Boyne/Bay Harbor is my plan for retirement and just play elsewhere Friday-Sunday.

[BG5]

1 hour ago, cassel191919 said:

Boyne/Bay Harbor is my plan for retirement and just play elsewhere Friday-Sunday.

 

I am with ya on the Boyne membership that includes Bay Harbor....I know alot of people who are not big fans of Bay Harbor but I have always loved the course....the views are fantastic, I score well on the courses and I just love the place.  I also love the practice facilities at both Boyne Highlands and Bay Harbor.  If I understand it right they always keep one of the Bay Harbor Courses open each day until like 10:00 or so to ensure that members have no problem getting off so that is pretty cool.  The only issue I have seen with the Bay Harbor Membership is that guests are only allowed to get the guest rate 2 times and after that they have to pay full rate....so I kind of stinks that I cannot bring my buddies over more than that because last I knew Bay Harbor was like $300 a round in the summer which is way to high in my opinion.  The twighlight rates are not terrible but those prob get picked over alot

 

I also considered a membership at Treetops.  At one time property owners could get a membership for like $2700 a year and they had nice condos for sale that are on the Fazio course and many times they sell under $150,000 and sometimes close to $100,000.  Gaylord is not an amazing area but its centrally located so easy to get to places like petoskey, Charlevoix exc so the low cost is def interesting.

 

Black Lake is another great option....last I checked memberships were really cheap and in the area of like $1400...I would not want to live in Onaway but still an amazing price.

 

Bottom line Michigan has some fantastic courses and there are so many of them hopping around might be a great option.  Last year when I was at treetops I was talking to a starter....he was retired but wanted to stay somewhat busy.  He works 2-3 days a week and gets to golf Treetops for free and is also allowed to bring 3 guests each time for free.....How cool is that?  He said all the golf resorts are hurting for quality workers so its a great gig for retired guys who like to golf, want to save money and are ok with working a few days a week to keep busy.

 

It really made me think hard about retirement...I might just work at  a place Like Bandon, Treetops, or Bay Harbor to get some free golf and they are all hurting for workers especially if you are professional and look the part

[knickerbocker]

Having been a member at a Private Club for a while now, I know my retirement needs to include being relatively close to a private club that I would enjoy playing. Kingsley was always my #1 thought there, but TC housing is crazy.  Boyne might be the better option.  My are looking at buying a cottage in the next few years up north as a starting point even though I have many years before I start even a partial retirement.  

[cassel191919]

23 hours ago, knickerbocker said:

Having been a member at a Private Club for a while now, I know my retirement needs to include being relatively close to a private club that I would enjoy playing. Kingsley was always my #1 thought there, but TC housing is crazy.  Boyne might be the better option.  My are looking at buying a cottage in the next few years up north as a starting point even though I have many years before I start even a partial retirement.  

Boyne/Bay Harbor combined with a Belvedere would be pretty spectacular. Not sure why I am dreaming with so many years to go. 

[So_Cal]

On 1/18/2023 at 6:53 AM, BG5 said:

 

Knicker,

 

The regular membership at Kingsley is $25,000 initiation fee with $5500 annual dues and no food for bev requirements.

 

The national membership at Kingsley is $20,000 initiation fee with $4800 annual dues and no food, bev, or lodging requirements.

 

Things have def changed in terms of price compared to a decade ago 🙂  I would guess at some point prices will come down in the next decade....maybe not especially if TC continues to grow at the pace it is now.  I think alot of people on the West Coast have figured out that TC is a great place to spend summer months....cheap properties (compared to west coast) a major airport with direct flights to denver makes it easy to travel to most locations quickly and an abundance of fresh water (Great lakes makes of 20% of the worlds freshwater) so there will never be a water issue in Michigan.

 

I plan to retire and spend my summer months in Northern Michigan and want to get a membership someplace.  Kingsley was at the top of the list but its not cheap 🙂  True North is another nice option and last I checked it was $5000 to join and dues around $5000 a year.  

 

Boyne has a good deal which includes Bay Harbor so you have access to Bay Harbor and all other 10 or 11 Boyne courses and runs like $7500 buy in fee and dues around $5500.  If you dont want Bay Harbor included its like $4000 buy in and dues around $4000 a year

 

But there are so many nice public tracks in Northern Michigan it my be well worth just to hop around and play them all and not get a membership

Love the course but such a short season up there.  

[BG5]

On 1/20/2023 at 11:57 AM, So_Cal said:

Love the course but such a short season up there.  

 

 

Yes Northern Michigan has a short golf season.....but for that time Northern Michigan is one of the best places on the entire planet....Just amazing!

[So_Cal]

On 1/25/2023 at 5:15 AM, BG5 said:

 

 

Yes Northern Michigan has a short golf season.....but for that time Northern Michigan is one of the best places on the entire planet....Just amazing!

Agree 100%

[Chanceman]

Does anyone know what the green fee is if you can swing a tee time? Unaccompanied or with a member?

[BG5]

1 hour ago, Chanceman said:

Does anyone know what the green fee is if you can swing a tee time? Unaccompanied or with a member?

 

Last I new a before they sold it you were about $350 when you figure in the required caddie etc.  Not sure what it is now

[cassel191919]

Have heard that unaccompanied is now a no go, but it was $350 with caddie required.

[Chanceman]

7 hours ago, cassel191919 said:

Have heard that unaccompanied is now a no go, but it was $350 with caddie required.

Beats Whistling Straits $600 plus caddie.

[cassel191919]

13 hours ago, Chanceman said:

Beats Whistling Straits $600 plus caddie.

I love Whistling Straits, but that is very steep. I still think only Pebble is worth that much for a public course.

[teetime34]

On 1/18/2022 at 2:38 PM, monty09 said:

  I was a GCOH member and left once they bought.. agree with you 100%

I’ve been seriously looking at joining GCOH. What pushed you out? 

[monty09]

9 hours ago, teetime34 said:

I’ve been seriously looking at joining GCOH. What pushed you out? 

 

 

It was great when it was owned by the family.. once it was sold.. nickel and dime city....  

[peterjthom11]

On 1/25/2022 at 9:00 AM, BG5 said:

True North has also always intrigued me 🙂  The wife and I ate dinner their last year and the food was outstanding as was the atmosphere with live music.  The course is not perfect but the vibe was pretty cool .....any feedback on those that have played the course alot?

 

The cool thing about Kingsley is that there is basically nobody there and you have the course to yourself a lot of the time or at least thats what many of the members that I know have said.  

 

Once thing I kind of want in retirment is a regular game and a group of guys to BS with on the course a long with make some new friendships with people who have the same interests as I do.

 

My core group of friends now is great but I doubt they will be joining a place like Kingsley, Bay Harbor, or True North.  I just love Northern Michigan and the laid back vibe the area has.  There is def some money up there but I have always been treated with respect by everyone

TN member here -- Course is always in great shape cause of how few members there are and even less who actually play. Rarely have to even call ahead. Very similar to what you are describing at Kingsley (which I've never played but am dying to). 

[MattSTL88]

16 hours ago, peterjthom11 said:

TN member here -- Course is always in great shape cause of how few members there are and even less who actually play. Rarely have to even call ahead. Very similar to what you are describing at Kingsley (which I've never played but am dying to). 

Do you know how often the cottages are getting used? We vacation near Burt Lake and have always wanted to play True North so wondering if staying at the cottages there might be a good idea sometime.

[BG5]

I have always been dying to play True North and have always kicked myself for not playing it many years ago when I had the chance.  My wife and I did go to dinner there and the place and vibe was just awesome and the course looks amazing.  I love all the privates in Northern Michigan including High Pointe, Kingsley, Crystal Downs, True North and so many others....Michigan is loaded with all world golf courses!

[CHRISTOPHER DESANA]

I am a summer ticket holder at Belvedere, it's a great value but pretty sure they are maxed out. They do offer partial season tickets that give you reduced rates the rest of the summer. Played Kingsley last year, was in good shape but certainly getting more play since the sale compared top previous trips down. 

A couple of the guys at Belvedere are also members at True North, as are some of the guys I have made friends playing Sr GAM events. So looking forward to playing next year. The membership pricing for True North sounds low.... $5 K and $5 K a year?

Wondering how much high end private golf that region can handle with a new course coming to Kingsley and High Point now in the market.

Lochenheath is also a good course, and I believe is full now due to the rise in golf as of late.

[MattSTL88]

13 hours ago, CHRISTOPHER DESANA said:

I am a summer ticket holder at Belvedere, it's a great value but pretty sure they are maxed out. They do offer partial season tickets that give you reduced rates the rest of the summer. Played Kingsley last year, was in good shape but certainly getting more play since the sale compared top previous trips down. 

A couple of the guys at Belvedere are also members at True North, as are some of the guys I have made friends playing Sr GAM events. So looking forward to playing next year. The membership pricing for True North sounds low.... $5 K and $5 K a year?

Wondering how much high end private golf that region can handle with a new course coming to Kingsley and High Point now in the market.

Lochenheath is also a good course, and I believe is full now due to the rise in golf as of late.

Had no idea about the new Kingsley course, wow!