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Historically, the length of a club’s waitlist has been a barometer of the strength of the local economy. Over the course of the club’s recent history, it was not unusual for the wait list at Wollaston to be over 10 years.
“The days of the 10-year waitlist are gone,” said incoming Wollaston Golf Club President Michael Finnell. “Right this moment, someone could probably get in within six months’ time.”
Today memberships are available, as close to 30 members have taken a one-year leave of absence, which is about 10 more than usual. When a member takes a leave of absence they do not have to pay any fees to the club for one year, although they still retain their place on the membership roster. That loss of revenue has the club looking for ways to make up some of the gap by offering a one-year trial membership. Such creativity is becoming common.
That’s not to say that Wollaston is lacking in members. The current level of 340 charter-sustaining, bond-holding members is just about the ideal. (The club also has many social members.) Finnell said the board of directors is simply seizing an opportunity to shore up a lull in funds for the year.
“Wollaston is really in great shape with its membership base,” said Finnell. “The past boards have spent a lot of money doing capital improvements, so we’re ready to ride out a rough time.”
Indeed, over the past decade the club has added a new pool, tennis courts, improvements to the interior and exterior of the clubhouse, improvements to the sprinkler system on the golf course, and upgrades to the course itself. To increase the capital for those improvements, the club depleted a very long waitlist about five or six years ago, broadening the membership from 300 to 340. With those improvements, the atmosphere of the club seemed to evolve into a family country club, while still holding on firmly to its roots as a golf club.
But with the recent loss of revenue from those members taking leaves, coupled with some resignations and members changing categories, the club is realizing that the unique fiscal atmosphere calls for a creative membership drive.
The trial membership offers an opportunity for someone who is sponsored by one current member, instead of the customary two, to come and try out the club for 2009. They will pay the regular dues, but not be responsible for the $25,000 initiation fee or the $13,000 bond.
If at the end of the year, interest is expressed in joining the club, the person would reapply and
be offered a six-year payment plan for the initiation fee. At that time they would be responsible for the bond to become a charter-sustaining member with full club privileges.
Wollaston has only actively sought members in this way one other time: in the late 1970s, following the club’s 1975 relocation from Quincy to Milton, when the membership numbered about 290.
The club also is reaching out to former members. They are invited to return for a reduced initiation fee of $5,000, instead of the $25,000.
On Thursday, Jan. 29, Wollaston will hold an information session with more details on the membership drive. It will be held at the club, located at 999 Randolph Ave., from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Grille Room.
“In every downturn in the economy there are opportunities,” said Finnell. “We know that to belong to a private club is a luxury item … but Wollaston is in great shape, and in these down economic times, this is a great opportunity to come up and try the club.”