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Big News From The Land Of Golf

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 12, 2008

There is good news from the land of WCI. The 2009 dues numbers are out and we will not be lambasted this year. The increase is more than modest as you will see below. And, just as important, it looks like we again have access to the North Lakes Course.

In short, WCI continues to struggle in the Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Court and might, therefore, be expected to nail the golfing community with a hefty increase in dues and trail fees. However, it is holding the line this year, well under inflation and certainly in keeping with the economic outlook for senior citizens.

Including taxes, the 2008 per person dues are $1,583.60. The 2008 cart fee (trail fee) is $1,070. For 2009, the per person dues for the Sandpiper and Caloosa Greens courses will be $1,621.05 and the trail fee will settle at $1,096.75.

As importantly, and as you may know, the North Lakes golf course is now again open for play to all golf members and will remain so through December. From December on, the course will be open on a month-to-month basis because, with the bankruptcy court decision(s) uncertain, as well as WCI's own plans, no one really knows who will own that course next year.

WCI is going on a membership drive for the golf courses here. Instead of the arrogance displayed and aimed at us by WCI's previous CEO, Jerry Starkey, a calmer, more logical attitude is now prevailing under acting CEO David Fry. Starkey was fired by Chairman Carl Icahn and the only thing this column is sorry about is that he was able to walk away with a $700,000 golden handshake.

Between now and the end of the year, new members (or members who had dropped out) are going to be welcomed back with no initiation fee. All they must do is pay their dues for 2009 in full.

As of Jan. 1, the initiation fee will go to $1,000 per person (plus $70 in tax) but that is a considerable savings over the $4,000 most of us paid when we joined up.

For those who only want to play the Caloosa Greens executive course, there will be no initiation fee if you join in November or December. Starting in January, the initiation fee per person will be $250 plus $17.50 tax. Annual dues will be $1,086.05 and the trail fee for a cart will be $765.05.

For those Sandpiper Golf Club golfing members who want to play Renaissance, the fee, including taxes, will be $829.25. Renaissance members can play the other SCC courses at no charge because they were promised that privilege

Finally, reciprocity between Sandpiper and Falcon Watch now moves from noon to 7:30 a.m., another benefit of the 2009 membership plan.

Obviously, thanks are due to WCI for correcting the situation with the North Lakes course and re-opening it to the golfing membership. I assume single rounds will still be sold to CA members who do not have golf memberships and that's perfectly fine. There's plenty of room.

While I don't know this for a fact, I'm virtually positive that John Luper and Tom Ritenour of WCI put together this plan and sold it to WCI headquarters at Bonita Springs.

It has become obvious to everyone: WCI, the golf associations, the golf players and the world at large, that the use of the North Lakes course must be expanded. It is simply impossible to support a golf course without financial resources and those resources come from paying members.

Now, as reasonable people, we of the SCC Community Association should start studying and discuss ways to modify the 1984 agreement between the CA and WCI, in particular as to who can play on the North Lakes course. I believe CA President Paul Wheat and VP Ed Barnes have already started to consider possibilities and, as a CA director and very active golfer, I'd certainly support looking into this.

The Rally For The Cure Tournament, put on by the three women's golf associations in SCC is, as I mentioned last week, on its annual fundraising campaign.

One of the new items is the donation of used (but in good shape) golf clubs. Go to rallyforthecure.com for details. You will get a tax deduction.

As many of you know, I'm an inveterate buyer and collector of clubs. I'll be contributing more than 50 sticks-putters, drivers, fairway woods, special irons - all sorts of stuff. What a way to clean out the garage and do some good at the same time. My understanding is the clubs will be used by young people who are just getting started and who can't afford their own.

Two good causes in one. Can't get better than that!

Bob Black is a member of the board of directors for the Sun City Center Community Association. He has been published in The New York Herald Tribune and the New York Times.

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