white bear yacht club initiation fee

White Bear Yacht Club Dellwood MN | Membership Cost, Amenities, History, What To Know When Visiting

Disclaimer:  CountryClubMag.com is an independent resource and is not associated with any of the clubs on this website. Club initiation and membership cost information are estimates only and should not be relied upon for making club membership decisions. Is there information in this article that’s inaccurate or out-of-date? Please contact us and let us know.

Nestled along the picturesque shores of White Bear Lake in Dellwood, Minnesota, the White Bear Yacht Club stands as a true gem among the state’s exclusive recreational destinations. This historic and elegant yacht club embodies the essence of lakeside luxury, offering members and guests an unparalleled experience in a serene, natural setting.

With a rich heritage dating back over a century, White Bear Yacht Club is a beloved institution renowned for its pristine waters, world-class amenities, and warm sense of community. Join us as we embark on a journey to discover the timeless beauty and hospitality that defines the White Bear Yacht Club in Dellwood, MN.

White Bear Yacht Club History and Founding

The White Bear Yacht Club, located in Dellwood, Minnesota, boasts a rich and storied history that dates back to its founding in 1889. Designed by renowned architect Cass Gilbert , who later became famous for his work on iconic structures such as the United States Supreme Court Building and the Woolworth Building in New York City, the club’s architecture reflects the grandeur and elegance of a bygone era.

Founded by a group of enthusiastic sailing and boating enthusiasts, the White Bear Yacht Club quickly established itself as a hub for leisure and social activities along the pristine shores of White Bear Lake. Cass Gilbert’s architectural brilliance is evident in the club’s timeless design, which seamlessly integrates with the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape.

Over the years, the club has played host to a myriad of sailing regattas, social events, and gatherings, earning a reputation for its commitment to promoting the sport of sailing and fostering a strong sense of community. Today, the White Bear Yacht Club stands as a testament to its enduring legacy, preserving the historic charm and architectural marvels that have captivated generations of members and guests alike.

White Bear Yacht Club Membership Costs and Dues

Here are the estimated and rumored Membership Costs and Dues for the White Bear Yacht Club in Dellwood MN:

Estimated Costs:

• Initiation Fee: $10,000-$20,000
• Monthly Dues: $400-$600
• Food and Beverage Minimum: $150/month (May-September only)

Rumored Costs:

• Initiation Fee: $20,000-$30,000
• Monthly Dues: $500-$700
• Food and Beverage Minimum: $200/month (May-September only)

It is important to note that these are just estimates and rumors, and the actual Membership Costs and Dues may vary depending on the type of membership you choose and other factors.

Here are some additional things to keep in mind about the White Bear Yacht Club Membership Costs and Dues:

• There is a non-refundable application fee of $250.
• Initiation fees can be paid in full upfront or over a period of time.
• Monthly dues are charged year-round, regardless of how often you use the club.
• The food and beverage minimum is only applicable during the summer months (May to September).
• There are additional fees for some activities and amenities, such as golf, tennis, and swimming.

White Bear Yacht Club Amenities

The White Bear Yacht Club in Dellwood, Minnesota, offers a range of amenities to its members, catering to a diverse set of interests and recreational activities. While specific offerings may change over time, here are some of the typical amenities you might find at such a yacht club:

• Sailing Facilities: As a yacht club, sailing is often at the forefront of its activities. Members can enjoy access to sailing lessons, sailboat rentals, and various types of sailboat racing and regattas.
• Dining: Many yacht clubs offer fine dining options, providing members with an elegant and comfortable setting to enjoy meals with a scenic view of the lake.
• Tennis and Other Sports: Yacht clubs often feature tennis courts, swimming pools, and other sporting facilities to cater to a variety of athletic interests.
• Social Events: Yacht clubs frequently host social events, including parties, galas, and special gatherings for members and their guests.
• Marina Services: Access to boat slips, docking facilities, and maintenance services for members who own boats.
• Clubhouse: A clubhouse typically provides a central hub for members, offering meeting spaces, lounges, and event facilities.
• Junior Programs: Many yacht clubs have programs for children and young adults, including sailing lessons and other activities.
• Waterfront Access: Direct access to the lake, with facilities for swimming, paddleboarding, kayaking, and more.
• Golf: Some yacht clubs may have golf courses or partnerships with nearby golf clubs to offer golfing opportunities to members.
• Fitness and Wellness Facilities: Gyms, fitness centers, and spa facilities to promote health and well-being.
• Social and Networking Opportunities: Membership often includes access to a community of like-minded individuals who share a passion for boating and watersports.

White Bear Yacht Club Event Information and Dining Options

The White Bear Yacht Club in Dellwood, Minnesota, offers a variety of events and occasions for members to celebrate and enjoy. While specific events may vary from year to year, common events and celebrations at yacht clubs like White Bear Yacht Club may include:

• Sailing Regattas: Yacht clubs often host a series of sailing regattas throughout the season, where members can compete in various boat classes and racing formats.
• Opening Day and Closing Day Celebrations: Many yacht clubs mark the beginning and end of the sailing season with special ceremonies and social gatherings.
• Themed Parties: Clubs may organize themed parties throughout the year, such as costume parties, tropical luau nights, and holiday-themed events.
• Concerts and Entertainment: Enjoy live music performances, outdoor concerts, and other entertainment options that the club may host.
• Junior Sailing and Youth Programs: Clubs typically offer programs and events specifically designed for young sailors and their families, including junior regattas and summer camps.
• Social Mixers: Casual gatherings where members can socialize and network with fellow boating enthusiasts.
• Weddings and Private Events: Yacht clubs often provide event spaces for weddings, corporate functions, and private celebrations with stunning lakeside settings.
• Educational Seminars: Some country clubs host workshops and educational events related to sailing, boat maintenance, and other nautical topics.
• Holiday Celebrations: Special events for holidays such as Independence Day, Labor Day, and other relevant occasions.
• Annual Awards Banquet: A formal event where the club recognizes and honors outstanding achievements in sailing and contributions from members.
• Regatta Parties: Celebrations held in conjunction with major sailing races and regattas, featuring award ceremonies and social gatherings.
• Member’s Birthday Celebrations: Some clubs organize birthday parties for members, to celebrate their special days.

The dining options at the White Bear Yacht Club in Dellwood, Minnesota, may vary, but typical options you might find at a yacht club include:

• Fine Dining: Many yacht clubs offer upscale dining options in an elegant and formal setting. These restaurants often feature gourmet cuisine and a carefully curated wine list. Members can enjoy a refined dining experience with lakefront views.
• Casual Dining: Yacht clubs may provide more relaxed dining options, such as a grill, bistro, or pub-style restaurant. Casual dining areas are perfect for members seeking a more laid-back atmosphere and a variety of comfort foods.
• Outdoor Dining: Enjoy the beautiful lakeside scenery with outdoor dining on patios or decks. Outdoor dining areas often offer a more relaxed atmosphere, allowing members to soak in the natural beauty while enjoying their meals.
• Member’s Bar: Many yacht clubs have a dedicated bar area where members can socialize, relax, and enjoy drinks and light fare. It’s a popular spot for post-sailing gatherings and casual meetups.
• Private Dining Rooms: For special occasions and private events, yacht clubs may have private dining rooms available for members to reserve. These spaces provide an intimate setting for celebrations or business meetings.

White Bear Yacht Club Dress Code and Guest Policy

The dress code and guest policy at the White Bear Yacht Club, like those at many private clubs, are typically designed to maintain a certain level of decorum, uphold the club’s traditions, and create a pleasant and respectful atmosphere for all members and guests.

Here are some general guidelines that are often found at private clubs:

Dress Code: The dress code at the White Bear Yacht Club may include the following:

• Appropriate Attire: Members and guests are generally expected to wear attire that is neat, clean, and in good condition.
• Formal Dress: Some areas of the club may require more formal attire, such as collared shirts, slacks, dresses, and appropriate footwear.
• Casual Dress: Other areas, like outdoor dining or casual dining spaces, may permit more relaxed attire, such as shorts and casual shirts.
• Swimwear: Swimwear is typically restricted to pool and beach areas, and cover-ups may be required in indoor areas.
• Hats and Headgear: Some clubs have policies regarding hats and headgear, often requiring the removal of hats when indoors.
• Denim: Some clubs may restrict the use of denim in certain areas, while others allow it as long as it is clean and presentable.

Guest Policy: The guest policy at the White Bear Yacht Club will outline the rules and limitations for inviting non-member guests to the club. Common elements may include:

• Guest Limits: Clubs usually have restrictions on how often and for how many guests a member can extend an invitation.
• Registration: Guests may need to be registered with the club in advance, and there could be a fee associated with hosting guests.
• Sponsorship: A sponsoring member may be required to accompany their guest during the visit.
• Compliance: Guests are typically expected to adhere to the club’s dress code and behavioral expectations.

White Bear Yacht Club in Dellwood, Minnesota, represents a cherished haven for those seeking a unique blend of lakeside luxury, nautical adventure, and a strong sense of community. With a rich history dating back to the late 19th century and an enduring commitment to preserving its traditions, this esteemed yacht club offers a wide range of amenities and opportunities for members to enjoy.

From world-class sailing facilities to fine dining and social events, the White Bear Yacht Club continues to be a beacon of leisure and camaraderie on the shores of White Bear Lake. Its timeless appeal and dedication to fostering a close-knit community make it a special place where members can create lasting memories and celebrate the beauty of lake life.

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White Bear Yacht Club

White Bear Lake, MN , United States • Private

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Before he moved to California where he laid the foundation of many of that state's best courses from the pre-Depression era, William Watson was a pioneer of golf in Minnesota. He arranged the first nine holes at White Bear Yacht Club in 1912 near the shore of White Bear Lake on some of the most roly-poly land imaginable. Several years later, Donald Ross, it is believed, added nine holes and remodeled the course. That rumpled, unmodified land is the heart and soul of White Bear Yacht Club. Modern architects would likely have leveled and softened the slopes and ravines, but here they bring the golf to life visually and psychologically, offering nary a level stance and asking the player to hit approaches with extreme control. Over the last two decades under the guidance of Jim Urbina the surrounding canopy of forest has been pared back to better reveal the massive, enthralling undulations of the course.

100 Greatest: The course was part of Golf Digest's original 200 Toughest Courses list from 1967-'68.

Second 100 Greatest: Ranked 191st, 2017-'18.

Best in State: Ranked fourth, 2023-'24. Ranked fifth, 2011-'22. Ranked inside the top 5, 1991-2003. Ranked inside the top 10, 2005-'09. 2023-'24 ranking: 4th.

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100 GREATEST/BEST IN STATE SCORES

Shot options, layout variety, conditioning.

“While still highly rated, it is the most underrated top course in the state. The variety on the course, conditions, and the unique multi-clubhouse vibe is top on the state."

“Awesome rolling topography. Great conditions. This is such a fun course to play on these hills. The 18th hole is a little bit of a let down. Truly think they would benefit from switching the 9s."

“Old Donald Ross design built on undulating ground. Beautiful set of Par 3's are the highlight here. Here's a course where you will hit every club in your bag. This is a fun course to play. Jump at the chance to play here if ever invited."

“Delightful private club on a small site with considerable elevation changes. What I lacks in length is made up in variety, uniqueness/quirk, and challenging green complexes. Very soft when played, which is probably more often the rule than the exception (though reportedly, they do strive for firm conditions)"

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An Insider’s Guide to the Twin Cities’ Private Country Clubs

Editors’ Note: This article first appeared in our Summer 2013 issue and remains one of our most read stories from our archives.

People still wear pressed tennis whites and go yachting. There are still women who call themselves “Babs.” But many of the Twin Cities’ private country clubs have changed, particularly since the Great Recession. Clubs with long-standing wait lists, like Interlachen and Woodhill , now find themselves with ample openings. Some, such as Dellwood Hills , have moved to a no-initiation model. Even the most exclusive clubs are offering terrific bargains for young people (half off the initiation fee for those under 40, for example).

“It used to be that country clubs were the domain of the truly well-connected,” confides one Woodhill member, who asked to not be named. “Now, clubs are clamoring for almost anyone with a wallet. Even Woodhill members are being asked to groom their contacts, to do recruiting.”

The glitz and formality of country clubs have faded, too. Woodhill and Minikahda used to host lavish parties for hundreds of people, à la The Great Gatsby . But galas have largely been replaced by patio BBQs and couples’ trivia nights. Once considered unthinkable, gentlemen at Woodhill are no longer required to wear neckties in the clubhouse after 6 p.m.

Which is not to say there aren’t real benefits to joining. If you want to tee off with Minnesota’s most powerful players, you will still find them at “the club.” Here’s your insider guide to the top venues.  

Photography by Wing Ta

Edina Country Club

Founded: 1923

The Basics: This lavish club is built around a core of nouveau riche. Transplants to Minnesota are sometimes advised to join Edina to build up social capital and then try for membership at the more prestigious Interlachen or Minikahda . The club is considered kid-friendly, especially since the 2008 hiring of Manager Carl Granberg, who added a slew of kid-centric offerings, such as pool-opening parties and kids’ etiquette classes. As of 2012, the club had 1.67 adults for every child. But for some, the place became a little too kid-friendly; there has been a moderate exodus of older members and empty nesters to Minikahda .  

Ancient History: The Edina Country Club was designed as a kind of community center. Real-estate mogul Samuel Thorpe bought a farm south of 50th Street with visions of an idyllic 585-home subdivision. At the heart of his “country club” neighborhood: an actual country club.  

Big Moment: A 1970 exhibition game between pro golfer Arnold Palmer and Gov. Wendy Anderson.  

Noteworthy Event: Easter Sunday Brunch with ham- and prime rib–carving stations, chicken Kiev, Cajun shrimp, and house-made chocolate eggs (hand decorated with edible paint, naturally). Don’t miss the roving Easter bunny, kids’ egg hunt and Easter Bunny-shaped ice sculpture.  

Clubhouse: The 65,000-square-foot shake and brick clubhouse is a sprawling, low-slung affair that overlooks the fifth green and sixth tee. Inside, off-white walls hem with dark-wood furnishings and gilt hardware.  

Golf Course: The original course is credited to Scottish-American designer Tom Bendelow, though he had a hand in only nine of its 18 holes. When the clubhouse was moved in 1959, the course was reoriented, and there have been issues ever since, mostly with winterkilled greens and awkward tees. The course was shut down for a year in 1996 so designer Roger Rulewich could do a complete overhaul. When that effort underwhelmed the membership, the club hired former Gophers golfer Tom Lehman to do a redesign in 2010 and again shut down the course for an entire year. Local golf blogger Jeff Shelman, a former sports scribbler at the Star Tribune , reviewed the new course, calling it “way more fun than before.”  

Other Amenities: An Olympic-sized pool, four clay and two hard-surface tennis courts, plus a winter clubhouse that offers two platform tennis courts and easy access to ice skating and hockey.  

The Damage: $50,000 initiation, $564 monthly dues, $75 monthly capital assessment for a golf membership. Members are also expected to spend $75 or more on food every month.

Getting In: The club offers 100 social memberships, 210 pool/tennis memberships and 375 golf memberships. New members are approved every third Thursday, but if you bring them a check and seem up-to-snuff, the club will get you into the facilities as soon as the next day. New members need one sponsor and two endorsers (endorsements can be as simple as an email to the general manager).

Notable Members: Plastic surgeon Doug Gervais; pro golfer John Harris; retailer Perry and Mary Mead, co-owners of Melly at the Galleria; Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Otteson; legendary venture capitalist Gordon Stofer of Cherry Tree Investments, who funded “Sesame Street Live”  

Networking Hot Spots: Cargill; Dalco Enterprises; Entegris; Ingenio; J.W. Hulme Co.; Lazard Middle Market; Preston Kelly; Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner; Steingart, McGrath & Moore; Thomson Reuters; QSR+

Interlachen Country Club

Founded: 1909

The Basics: Situated on the shores of Mirror Lake in Edina, this chummy club attracts a broad cross-section of new and old wealth. It’s much harder to get into than Edina, just two miles away. Interlachen has perhaps the most famous golf course in Minnesota; in recent years, it has hosted the Solheim Cup (2002) and the U.S. Women’s Open (2008).  

Ancient History: The club was established on 185 acres of farmland. Grain merchant Alvin Poehler was a major stakeholder in its early days.  

Big Moment: Bobby Jones’ famous shot in the 1930 U.S. Open, when he topped his shot into the pond and it skipped on the surface of the water to the far bank.  

Noteworthy Event: This July will mark the 45th anniversary of the Willie Kidd Invitational, named for the club’s long-deceased Scottish golf pro. People fly in from all over the country for the chance at a Willie Kidd Piper, a rubbed bronze statuette of a Scottish Highland bagpiper in full regalia.  

Clubhouse: The frame and timber Tudor-style clubhouse retains much of the masculine aura instilled by architect Cecil Bayless Chapman. The main dining room still has a soaring ceiling with exposed hardwood rafters. Details include mahogany-stained woodwork and scoop-back leather chairs.  

Golf Course: Designed by William Watson with revisions by Robert Trent Jones, Interlachen’s course is difficult, with many trees and nine water hazards. The signature hole is No. 18, where Bobby Jones accidentally skipped his ball across the water and ended the hole with a birdie.  

Other Amenities: A six-lane, 25-yard pool, seven clay and two-hard surface tennis courts, plus a wellness center that offers massage therapy, pedicures, manicures, facials and reflexology.  

The Damage: $60,000 initiation plus $680 in monthly dues for a golf membership. The monthly food and beverage minimum is $100.  

Getting In: The multi-step process involves a questionnaire about your golf skills, various meet-and-greets, two separate reviews by the membership committee, and six letters of recommendation.  

Notable Members: Arne and David Rovick, sons of Edina Realty Founder Emma Rovick; St. Cloud Times Publisher Scott Johnson; Opus Founder Gerald Rauenhorst; Bachman’s President Paul Bachman; MacPhail Center CEO Kyle Carpenter; Allina Health System CEO Emeritus Gordon Sprenger; former Target CEO Bob Ulrich; former UnitedHealthcare CEO Robert Sheehy; former PepsiAmericas CEO Bob Pohlad; John Remes, president at KARE 11; William Lindsay, MD, who performed the first heart transplant in Minnesota; Sports-show host Dave Mona; Malt-O-Meal board chair John Lettmann  

Networking Hot Spots: CarVal Investors; CBRE; Dain Rauscher; Ernst & Young; Faegre & Benson; Hays Companies; Hoyt Properties; Norwest Mezzanine Partners; Piper Jaffray; Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi; UBS

Minikahda Country Club

Founded: 1898

The Basics: Considered a transitional club between the more showy nouveau-riche clubs ( Edina , Wayzata ) and the decorous old-money clubs ( Woodhill , Somerset ), Minikahda is more prestigious than Interlachen and is difficult to get into.  

Ancient History: Minikahda was the first private club founded by the enterprising old-money families: the Washburns, the Crosbys, the Pillsburys, the Daytons. Situated right on the outskirts of Minneapolis, it originally served the milling barons who lived in the grand homes on Lake of the Isles. As those families began to migrate toward Lake Minnetonka, Minikahda was somewhat abandoned by the ultra-rich in favor of Woodhill.  

Big Moment: When the Archbishop of Canterbury visited in the early 1950s wearing his formal tailcoat and knee pants, and got very splashed by kids in the pool. (He laughed it off.)  

Noteworthy Event: Prim and proper luncheon for all past Aquatennial Queens, held each July. The menu is always the same: Minikahda chicken salad and sticky rolls.  

Clubhouse: The antebellum-style clubhouse has expansive views of Lake Calhoun. Members sit on the whitewashed grand portico and eat meals prepared by Ferris Shiffer, said to be the best private-club chef in Minnesota.  

Golf Course: In 2001, Minikahda hired Ron Prichard to return the course to a more undulating style, as envisioned by Scottish architect Donald Ross. He reconfigured all 18 holes, enlarged all the greens and dramatically lengthened the course. The signature hole is still No. 10, which starts off very steep and narrows down through a passage of old-growth trees.  

Other Amenities: A kidney-shaped pool that overlooks Lake Calhoun, six clay and one hard-surface tennis courts, and a separate paddle house for platform tennis.  

The Damage: $60,000 initiation plus $632 in monthly dues for a golf membership.  

Getting In: Applicants need a minimum of six sponsors. Expect a wait time of two months or more for your application to be considered. As of press time, there were 875 members; the club has a capacity of 915.  

Notable Members: Ecolab CEO Doug Baker; Constance Bakken, who bought herself a bank after divorcing Medtronic Founder Earl Bakken (also a member); Pillsbury heir and Washburn Crosby heir Robert L. Crosby; U.S. District Judge David Doty; Haskell’s CEO Jack Farrell; Rev. Douglas Fontaine, retired dean of the Cathedral of St. Mark; SimonDelivers Founder Simon Foster; Minnesota Monthly Publisher Steve Fox; Gabbert’s Founder Jim Gabbert; Rev. Tim Hart-Andersen, minister at Westminster Presbyterian Church; Peavey heir Frank Heffelfinger; former Brit’s Pub Owner Stuart Higgins; Rockefeller heir Alida Messinger; Target design chief Rich Varda; Rev. Canon Charles Vogt of St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral; Minnesota Commissioner of Transportation Charlie Zelle  

Networking Hot Spots: Arthur J. Gallagher & Co; AWJ Capital Partners; Briggs and Morgan; C. Chase Company; Coldwell Banker Burnet; Dorsey & Whitney; Dougherty Financial Group; Gray Plant Mooty; Hillcrest Capital Partners; Lindquist & Vennum; McGough; RBC Wealth Management; Riverbridge Partners; TCF Bank  

North Oaks Golf Club

Founded: 1950

The Basics: Conceived and financed by the wealthy heirs of railroad baron James J. Hill, the North Oaks Golf Club has lost much of its prestige in its 63 years. Though the third-generation Hill heirs stayed involved until their deaths, the club is now populated mainly by lawyers, doctors and VP-level businesspeople from North Oaks and St. Paul. Members say they appreciate that their place lacks much of the social preening found in some other clubs.  

Ancient History: James J. Hill’s grandson, Louis Hill Jr., was caught up in the utopianism of the 1950s. Le Corbusier had his “radiant city.” Writer Ebenezer Howard envisioned a grand “garden city movement.” There was a feeling among power players and intellectuals that idyllic cities, towns and neighborhoods could be neatly and properly constructed. With that in mind, L. W. Hill Jr. convinced his fellow heirs that they could create a chaos-free community on their grandfather’s 4,000-acre farm. Thus, today we have North Oaks, a St. Paul suburb that is also a private, gated community. The golf club is part of that residential complex.  

Noteworthy Event: The Ray Vennewitz Acorn Men’s Invitational is the club’s much-anticipated guest/member tourney held each July.  

Clubhouse: Low and sprawling, the clubhouse has the feel of a high-dollar senior-living facility: clean, comfortable, rather antiseptic. The ballroom has fiberglass ceiling tiles. But there are nice views of the golf course.  

Golf Course: Designed in 1951 by Stanley Thompson, the 6,655-yard course was significantly renovated in 2007 by golfer Tom Lehman. Members say their course is quick, challenging and very underrated.  

The Damage: Initiation is $5,500 plus $593 in monthly dues. There is a $50 monthly food minimum for a golf membership.  

Getting In: Two letters of sponsorship are required. You do not have to live in the gated community to be a member.  

Notable Members: Former 3M CEO Lewis Lehr; Rev. Paul Morrissey, minister at the Church of St. Louis, King of France; Car dealer Lee Carlson, the father of FOX host Gretchen Carlson; Compulsive entrepreneur Tom Auth, who owns more than 30 different companies (from auto parts to chemical testing and wireless alarm systems)  

Networking Hot Spots: Cody Law Group; Hamre, Schumann, Mueller & Larson; Homel Realty; Felhaber, Larson, Fenlon & Vogt; Fredrikson & Byron; Brookdale Health; Johnstech International; White Pine Capital; Yaeger, Jungbauer & Barczak  

Town & Country Club

Founded: 1887

The Basics: Located near the Marshall Avenue–Lake Street bridge in St. Paul, this steady, low-priced club attracts midlevel VPs, St. Paul politicians and a surprising number of doctors.  

Ancient History: Before the great Minnesota barons were at Minikahda , White Bear Yacht or Woodhill , they were at Town & Country, the oldest private club in Minnesota. It was founded by the Nushkas, a social krewe born out of the first Winter Carnival, which included Lucius Pond Ordway and James J. Hill. True to its roots, the club originally had a toboggan slide and an official uniform: electric blue with astrakhan fur. The first version of the golf course employed tomato cans and fishing poles with red rags because members weren’t yet exactly sure how to play the unusual Scottish game.  

Clubhouse: Once a cool fin-de-siècle clubhouse designed by Cass Gilbert. But that was torn down in 1955 to go with standard dark brick. The main dining room has a nice view of the Mississippi River.  

Other Amenities: Four clay tennis courts and a swimming pool heated to 80 degrees.

The Damage: $8,750 initiation plus $667 monthly dues for a golf membership. The food and beverage minimum is $187.50 per quarter.

Getting In: Very easy. The membership coordinator will even find sponsors for you to meet if you don’t know anyone there.  

Notable Members: Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer; former Minnesota Gopher star tackle and World War II vet Ed Lechner; Nora McGuire, the first female golf pro in Minnesota; investor David Freeman, the former owner of the Nashville Predators; well-known car dealers Ron Saxon and Tom Krebsbach Jr.  

Networking Hot Spots: Advantus Capital Management; Dain Rauscher; First Farmers and Merchants Bank; ING; National Checking Company; Oberman Thompson; Schwan’s; UBS

Photography provided by Wayzata Country Club

Wayzata Country Club

Founded: 1956

The Basics: Where Woodhill is demure and secretive, Wayzata is glitzy and flashy: The two clubs are polar opposites, as different as Mark Dayton and David Koch. And yet, they are near neighbors, less than a mile apart, separated by a railroad track (literally). Culturally speaking, Wayzata is lively, fun-loving and very family-oriented. It also seems to attract more than its fair share of drama. Just Google Wayzata Country Club and “Ali Dunham” for one juicy tale that made it all the way to the TV show A Current Affair. The club has also attracted a few crooked characters, such as Denny Hecker and Tom Petters. In fact, a handful of members were accused of being co-conspirators in Petters’ $3.65-billion Ponzi scheme.  

Ancient History: For nearly 40 years, Woodhill was one of the few private clubs near Lake Minnetonka. As the area exploded with new residents after World War II, it was besieged with membership requests. This made Woodhill’s old-guard founders, who preferred to stay under the radar, quite uncomfortable. As such, the old-money families decided they needed a kind of pressure valve for their favorite club and so put up much of the early capital for Wayzata.  

Clubhouse: The Tudor cottage clubhouse is well-appointed outside and in. Even the lockers in the locker rooms have carved-wood doors.  

Golf Course: The splendid and tough 18-hole championship course is never lent to the Minnesota Golf Association for tournaments.  

The Damage: $35,000 initiation, $685 monthly dues, $100 monthly capital assessment plus a $160 bimonthly food minimum.  

Getting In: You need one primary and two supporting sponsors to write letters on your behalf. These letters, plus a formal membership application and credit report, are submitted to the board of directors for review. The process generally takes a couple of months.  

Other Amenities: Trap and skeet range, an Olympic-sized pool, six clay and two hard-surface tennis courts, two paddle tennis courts, a six-hole junior golf course, an ice rink in winter.  

Notable Members:  Former General Mills CEO Steve Sanger, former Mpls.St.Paul Magazine Publisher Vance Opperman, Gov. Wendy Anderson, TCF Bank CEO Bill Cooper, Archivers Founder Jann Olsten, professional golfer Tim Herron  

Networking Hot Spots: Campbell Mithun; C.H. Robinson; Deloitte & Touche; Fabcon; Fair Isaac; General Mills; Korn/Ferry; Kraus-Anderson; Medtronic; Merrill Lynch; Pentair; PricewaterhouseCoopers; RBC Wealth Management; Toro; U.S. Bancorp; Wells Fargo Home Mortgage  

White Bear Yacht Club

Founded: 1889

The Basics: Twenty miles northeast of St. Paul sits the White Bear Yacht Club, the only sailing-plus-golf club in the state.

Ancient History: Originally a summer hotel, the yacht club still rented rooms to vacationers through the 1920s. F. Scott Fitzgerald and his wife, Zelda, spent the summer of 1921 at the club but were kicked out before September (probably for fighting, which they did all the time). In 1922, Fitzgerald published Winter Dreams , a short story about a caddie-turned-businessman who falls in love at Sherry Island Golf Club in Black Bear Lake, Minnesota.

Noteworthy Event: The Sailors BBQ features a competitive scow, a BBQ buffet on the Lakeside Lawn and cocktails galore.

Clubhouse: The clubhouse is an interesting mix of nautical and Nantucket: white clapboard and blue awnings next to bold arches and sweeping porticos. Currently, a $3.2-million renovation is underway. As of Memorial Day, club members can enjoy a new 25-yard competition pool, a kid’s splash pool and wading area, a new dining terrace with lake views, a new 1,200-square-foot lakeside pavilion with firepit and patio, a new tennis house, and a new on-course restroom. The club is also funding a shoreline restoration project.

Golf Course: The Donald Ross–designed course is separated from the clubhouse by Dellwood Avenue.  

Other Amenities: Four clay and two hard-surface tennis courts.

The Damage: Initiation is $26,550 initiation, $725 monthly dues.

Getting In: As of press time, there were 200 members; the club has a capacity of 225. Applicants need two letters of recommendation from club members. New members are approved the second Tuesday of the month.

Notable Members: Ordway family heirs Todd Nicholson, Horace Irvine III and Ford Nicholson; Regions Hospital CEO Brock Nelson; art dealer and Coldwell Banker Burnet Co-founder Dar Reedy

Networking Hot Spots: 3M; CentraCare Health System; Craig-Hallum Capital; Hallberg & McClain; Securian Financial Group; Smith Barney; St. Croix Orthopaedics; Western Bank

Woodhill Country Club

Founded: 1915

The Basics: Woodhill is an interesting contradiction. It’s unassuming on the outside but exceptionally hard to get into. The membership is mostly old, traditional, proper and conservative. This is, after all, the club that kicked out Gov. Mark Dayton when he brought black friends around the clubhouse in the early ’70s. (Dayton was accepted back into the fold after he married a Rockefeller heir in 1978, but he resigned his membership after he decided to run for U.S. Senate.)

Ancient History: When the old-money families had migrated from Kenwood to Lake Minnetonka, they needed a new private club, and they built a simple one, with no flourishes or special airs. The painted-brick exterior was designed with one purpose: to keep away potential kidnappers-for-ransom such as the gang that nabbed Minnesota brewer Bill Hamm in 1933 or St. Paul banker Ed Bremer in 1934. That wealth-based paranoia still influences Woodhill’s members in the 21st century — some of the older members still drive Chevys and Fords; many wear midrange clothing brands.  

Big Moment: When 19-year-old Jack Nicklaus shot a four-under-par 67 in 1959 to win the Trans-Mississippi Amateur.  

Noteworthy Event: There are lots of parties around the midsummer Woodhill Invitational golf tournament. Highlights include a cocktail party on the tennis courts and a black-tie dinner on Saturday night. But the biggest deal is the party held on the second night at one member’s home on Lake Minnetonka. Almost everyone arrives by fancy boat.  

Clubhouse: Pragmatic and generically pleasant (think Chippendale cane chairs with floral upholstery and rolled-arm sofas next to beige walls). Very few fancy details.  

Golf Course: Unlike many clubs that distinguish between golfers, swimmers, tennis players and socialites, Woodhill has just one membership category: in. As such, the Donald Ross–designed course is virtually empty half the time. The signature hole is No. 6, which starts very steep and is incredibly picturesque.  

Other Amenities: Ten clay tennis courts with a dedicated tennis clubhouse.

The Damage: $45,000 initiation, $741 in monthly dues.  

Getting In: A yearlong process of cocktail parties, dinners and more cocktail parties before you are thoroughly vetted and approved.  

Notable Members: Ned and Bob Dayton, scions of the department store fortune and first cousins to Gov. Mark Dayton; Phil Ordway, the real-estate investor and great-grandson of 3M Owner Lucius Pond Ordway; Fred Boos, owner of Grand View Lodge in Brainerd; Malt-O-Meal heir Conley Brooks Sr.; former North Stars, Twins and Vikings investor Wheelock Whitney; Executive Roger Headrick, who once owned the Minnesota Vikings; John J. Taylor III, who owns one of the top 10 beer-distribution companies in the country; Helen Waldron, granddaughter of John Pillsbury Snyder and great-great granddaughter of John Sargent Pillsbury, founder of Pillsbury  

Networking Hot Spots: If upward mobility is your aim, Woodhill isn’t your game.  

The governor’s office denies Governor Dayton was kicked out of Woodhill saying that’s “just a story.” His spokeswoman did confirm Dayton was once a Woodhill member but is not now.

The Best of the Best

Best Golf Hole No. 10 at Town and Country Club

Best Views Minikahda Club

Best Pro Shop Edina Country Club  

Best All-Around Club Wayzata Country Club  

Best Bar Snacks Minikahda Club  

Best Golf-Only Club Three-Way Tie: Hazeltine National Golf Club, Spring Hill Golf Club, Windsong Farm Golf Club

Hardest Club to Get Into Somerset Country Club, closely followed by Interlachen Country Club  

Best Signature Drink Bootleg from the Minikahda Club  

Best Locker Room Wayzata Country Club (newly renovated with Cambria quartz)

Best Ninth-Hole Shack Wayzata Country Club. You can hit the shack from 5 different holes. Insider tip: Bonnie Pipkorn makes the strongest libations.  

Most Swinging Club Bearpath Golf & Country Club  

Best Overall Community North Oaks Golf Club

Busiest Club Edina Country Club

Best Place to Have a Wedding Lafayette Club  

Best Range Tie: Hazeltine National Golf Club and Windsong Farm Golf Club  

Best Entrance Woodhill Country Club  

Best Caddie Program Interlachen Country Club  

Best Course Not Noted Minneapolis Golf Club

Best Swim Team Bearpath Golf & Country Club

Hardest Greens to Read Northland Country Club  

Most Appreciated Course Interlachen Country Club

Read this article as it appears in the magazine.

Tags: country club , golf , minneapolis , private club , st. paul

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White Bear Yacht Club Sailing

The White Bear Yacht Club   formed in 1889 to sponsor yacht racing at White Bear Lake, MN. We’re proud to have been one of the founding members of the I nland Lake Yachting Association and host to the first ILYA Championship regatta held in August of 1898. Learn more about our history here . Club races are scheduled every Saturday morning and afternoon, and Monday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings throughout the summer months. Sailing instruction is available for adults and children through our White Bear  Sailing School  (WBSS) .

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How Much Do Yacht Club Memberships Cost? (5 Helpful Examples)

Joining a yacht club is an important milestone in your life. It marks a certain degree of success and allows you to enjoy plenty of luxurious amenities. Setting sail on a yacht is the ultimate way to unwind from a hectic work week while you try to climb the corporate ladder.

Fortunately, there are yacht clubs all over the country that would love to welcome you as a brand-new member. You can enjoy an afternoon on the water with a beautiful yacht in exchange for a small sum of money.

But how much do Yacht Club memberships generally cost?

Prices for Yacht Clubs will vary based on your location, the fleet, and even the amenities that are offered at the marina. The average annual membership price is between $900-$4,000 depending on your level of luxury and needs.

To give you an idea of what you could expect to pay for your yacht club membership, here are some numbers gathered from across the country:

Table of Contents

What Does Each Yacht Club Offer?

Each yacht club is going to offer something that sets it apart from the others on this listing. To give you a better idea of where your money is going, here is a brief synopsis of what you can expect at each location.

Related Article: How Much Does Yacht Insurance Cost? (4 Examples)

Charleston Yacht Club

Charleston is a premier cruising destination with plenty of waterways for you to explore. They offer a launch hoist, dry slips, day dockage, free parking, and a long list of events scheduled throughout the year.

You also gain privileges at other yacht clubs around the world. If you don’t own your own yacht, they have plenty of members who often have room on their boats to accommodate a few extra passengers.

Florida Yacht Club

The Florida Yacht Club is a relatively exclusive club that features amazing amenities like fine dining and an array of aquatic activities.

You can play tennis, enjoy a spa treatment or massage, or get in a rousing game of croquet from the shore. They also host events and permit you to extend your privileges to other locations scattered around the Florida coast.

Atlanta Yacht Club

The Atlanta Yacht Club is primarily geared toward sailors who are interested in racing. They have a fleet of more than thirty different boats that are designed to help you further your knowledge of sailing.

If you still have a lot to learn, you can even take classes at this location. Prospective members must be sponsored and co-sponsored by two club members for entrance.

Related Article: 7 Boat Clubs in Florida You Should Know (Before Choosing)

Chicago Yacht Club

Members of the Chicago Yacht Club will find plenty of opportunities to get involved. With more than forty different committees, you can find a circle of friends that have common interests beyond just sailing and racing.

You also receive transient docking at both the Belmont and Monroe harbors, exclusive invites to private events, and reciprocity at more than 900 clubs across the country.

Related Article: Boat Clubs in Boston: 5 Clubs You Should Know

California Yacht Club

The California Yacht Club is home to both national and world championship regattas.

They host plenty of events from scuba club to book club to wine tastings. If you want to find a true community of like-minded sailors, this could be the place for you.

One of the best features is the reciprocity at locations not just across the United States but across the world. You can feel free to travel the world with your yacht and experience some of the same fellowship globally.

Related Article: Boat Clubs In Los Angeles: 7 Clubs You Should Know

What are the Cheapest Yacht Clubs?

The cheapest yacht clubs charge just under $1,000 per year for membership. While this does give you access to different types of experiences, you may be disappointed by the overall amenities.

Some yacht clubs are known for their extravagant country club styles that help you to embrace a particular lifestyle. They include Olympic-sized swimming pools, state-of-the-art tennis courts, and fine dining.

Everything has a beautiful waterfront view. It can feel like you are in the middle of an idyllic paradise without ever even having to leave the shore. If this is what you can gain from the most expensive yacht clubs, you should set your expectations much lower for the cheaper yacht clubs.

The cheaper yacht clubs lack the community aspect of these exclusive options. They feature dry slips and the occasional party, but not much more.

Some of them may have the feel of a county park with some picnic benches, outdoor grills, and a moderately sized swimming pool. Expect a much more casual atmosphere when you choose to go with a cheaper yacht club.

It is even possible that they are simply “paper yacht clubs” that do not even maintain a physical building of their own.

How Much Do the Most Expensive Yacht Clubs Cost to Join?

The most expensive yacht clubs can vary a great deal in price. Most of them will cost between $3,000 and $4,000 per year. However, you can certainly find more exclusive clubs that will cost above and beyond this.

Keep in mind that these more expensive clubs generally are not open to the public. They are offered by invitation only and you must have a member sponsor you to be considered for entrance.

When you are paying for a more expensive yacht club, you should make sure that you are really going to get your money’s worth. These expensive clubs promote a certain type of elegant lifestyle.

Make sure that you are planning to take advantage of all the amenities available from one of these clubs before you sink too much money into the membership fees. The social aspect of these expensive yacht clubs is extremely important.

If you plan to simply rent a boat from time to time, you might be able to go with a cheaper yacht club.

Related Article: How Long Do Sailboats Last?

What Is Generally Included in the Membership Fee for Yacht Clubs?

Have you been wondering why you should join a yacht club? Many potential members want to know what they can expect from their membership fees before they commit to a year-long contract. There are many advantages to signing up for a membership with a well-known yacht club.

Amenities and Activities

First and foremost, you get access to activities and cruises planned by board members. These might be various sailing activities, dinners, get-togethers, tennis matches, or other events that take up a lazy Sunday afternoon.

You also gain access to any amenities that surround the yacht club’s marina. For many programs, this means a fitness center, pool, and tennis courts. Several locations also offer fine dining, meeting rooms, and more.

It is like a private oasis where you can get away from the hustle and bustle of the regular world. Time moves slowly when you’re enjoying the amenities here.

Many yacht clubs have programs that introduce children (and adults!) to sailing. Take classes to learn more about improving your technique, sailing safety, and other important aspects of life on the open water.

Access to the Fleet

The main reason why most people join yacht clubs is to be able to rent out boats instead of purchasing their own. Joining a yacht club may give you access to an entire fleet of yachts that can be reserved for a day or weeks at a time. Some yacht clubs allow you to rent boats for up to ten days at a time.

Others do not allow you to rent out ships. They are primarily geared toward individuals who already own a yacht or will own a yacht in the future. Make sure you know the difference in advance.

Are There any Additional Costs Besides the Membership Fees?

Unfortunately, the membership fees are not the only cost associated with joining a yacht club. Most of the clubs in the United States also have a one-time initial fee that tends to cost thousands of dollars. Many will range from $1,500 to $5,000 depending on the location and the exclusivity of the yacht club.

This one-time fee should be the only additional money you pay except for fuel. Most yacht clubs do not cover the cost of the fuel used in the ship during your rental if renting is an option. Be prepared for what this could cost you.

If you cause damage to the ship, you can also expect some out-of-pocket costs. Insurance should cover the damage, but you will likely be asked to cover the cost of the deductible.

Be sure to inquire about how much you may be on the hook for before you sign up for any particular yacht club. Accidents can happen, even to the most experienced sailors. Make sure that you can afford the mishap in advance.

Is a Yacht Club Membership Right for You?

Understanding what the real cost of a yacht club membership is can be the first step toward determining if this is right for you. Many people love the luxuries available through the more expensive yacht clubs, but they may not be able to afford it. Consider what is most important in a club to you before deciding to sign on the dotted line for an annual membership.

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A Sense of Belonging: Private Clubs Add to Santa Barbara’s Residential Appeal

Among the unexpected silver linings of the pandemic? The fact that the appeal of living in Santa Barbara’s South Coast has surged, and surged in a big way. An enclave like Montecito is not all that far from the urban sprawl of Los Angeles, where a pandemic-inspired exodus continues. But, as so many residents and visitors know, it is a world away. Indeed, the real estate gods – as inventory shrinks and prices balloon – are smiling.

But living in this treasured corner of the world is more than whether you can afford it, or the way it pretty much guarantees that your investment will grow. It’s about the way that it offers so much more than you thought you needed, the way it never ceases to delight and the way it manages to enhance everyday life, every day.

The private clubs that call communities like Montecito and Santa Barbara home, it can be argued, have a lot to do with that appeal. At their core, they are havens for socialization, that all-important tenet of human interaction that, as another truth revealed by the pandemic, a community both needs and craves. They also aim to elevate their members’ experience, to expand their horizons, through a bevy of innovative programs and curated experiences that range from the culinary and athletic to the creative and intellectual.

“For the majority of our clients, private clubs are definitely an amenity that they’re looking for,” says Natalie Grubb , a realtor with Village Properties’ Grubb Campbell Group, and a resident of Santa Barbara for pretty much her entire life. “We’ll ask them, ‘What do you like? Tennis? Golf? Sailing?’ And we can tell them, ‘Yes, that exists here.’

“That’s why we’ve seen such a huge influx of people wanting to move here full-time, not just part-time anymore,” she adds. “They want to be part of a community, which has always been part of living in this area. But now there’s even more than before.”

Clubs tend not to make dues and fees public. For serious prospects, though, it’s fair to say that membership is more an investment than an expense.

Up first, a spotlight on some of Santa Barbara’s top social clubs.

The Santa Barbara Club

The oldest social club in Santa Barbara is probably the oldest private hangout of its kind between L.A. and San Francisco. Founded in 1892, the Santa Barbara Club features a clubhouse that holds both state and local historic landmark status and that has hosted distinguished community members and guests for decades. 

“Our members are not trust-funders, but academics,” says club manager Linda Spann , who adds that the waiting list for membership, which is by invitation only, has grown so big that the club’s initiation fee recently went up.

There are three tiers of membership here, based on age: Regular (45+), Intermediate (31-44), and Junior (21-30). The foodie offerings have long been a calling card of the Santa Barbara Club; Chef Humberto Perez has helmed the kitchen for more than 20 years and makes everything from pastas to pastries in-house.

“We can serve more than a hundred meals on a Friday night,” adds Spann, which are served either in the elegant Dining Room or the sprawling outdoor lawn.

Members have access to various interest groups, including a Breakfast Club, an Investors Club, and a Wine Group. The Club’s Preservation Foundation allows members to make tax deductible donations to preserve the Clubhouse and other landmark buildings in town. The Club’s Art Foundation aims to support contemporary artists by featuring their work through displays and exhibits. There are dozens of reciprocal clubs across the U.S., as well as globally, in countries like England, Mexico, and Thailand. santabarbaraclub.org . 

The University Club of Santa Barbara

This has been a premier social club in the heart of Santa Barbara since 1919. Networking reigns supreme here, via an ongoing schedule of themed parties, mixers, and lectures, including large affairs during major community events like Fiesta. The club hosts various social clubs, too, like the Book Club and regular wine tastings. The property offers members free prime downtown parking, and the manicured gardens feature secluded patios and a firepit. There’s a pool table in the game room, and the club regularly puts works by local artists on exhibit. The club’s executive chef and culinary team have received high marks from discerning foodies for decades. 

The University Club is one of the few clubs in town that’s transparent about its fees. There are four membership categories, including the Junior category, for members ages 21 to 39, with a $1,500 initiation fee and $100 monthly dues. The Resident category for those living within 25 miles of the club, has a $3,000 initiation fee and monthly dues of $175. Members get access to more than 200 reciprocal clubs around the U.S. and the world. uclubsb.org .

Miramar Club

This is the members-only extension of the luxurious and elegant Rosewood Miramar Resort, offering members an oceanfront haven with myriad exclusive amenities. 

“We like to think of it as laid-back luxury,” says Hannah Rock , the hotel’s social activities director. “You are getting that five-star experience, but it’s more like a beach club than a formal private club.”

Launched in May 2019, it’s the newest social club in the area. Located next to the resort’s signature Caruso’s restaurant, the Club also enjoys a right-on-the-sand location and exclusive seasonal and regional menus crafted by the same Caruso’s team, led by executive chef Massimo Falsini . The dining room touts airy, Art-Deco décor, an extensive private wine cellar, and an adjacent wood-panel piano bar that doles out myriad signature cocktails. Members have access to top-line athletic and spa facilities, as well as personalized concierge services.

“The club offers curated events and programming on a weekly basis that focus on culinary, retail, and family events,” adds Rock.

The beach experience is exclusive, too, with private lounges and members-only food-and-beverage services. clubmiramar.com . 

Coral Casino Beach & Cabana Club

The famous private club right on Butterfly Beach is part of Ty Warner Hotels & Resorts. Built in 1937, it was purchased by Ty Warner in 2000, in conjunction with his buy of the historic Biltmore hotel across the street. Both properties, shuttered in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, remain closed.

The club’s Signature membership includes access to an elegant waterfront location, complete with a pool complex that has a heated Olympic-size swimming pool, a whirlpool and a kids’ wading pool, all surrounded by more than 200 chaise lounges and chair-side amenities that change hourly. Cabana rentals are available. The fitness center features state-of-the-art equipment, and a private gate gives members their own beach access. The sundeck on the third floor and the Living Room is for members only. Food and beverages are available at three locations, with Tydes Restaurant & Bar setting the bar for prime dining at the club. coralcasinoclub.com .  

The Club & Guest House at UC Santa Barbara

The COVID-19 pandemic is keeping this unique club closed through the rest of 2021, with most of the staff reassigned to on-campus pandemic efforts. This iconic destination club, though, which was established in 1968, remains known as the “living room” of the UCSB campus. The Guest House, which was renovated in 2014 and features ocean views, emulates a 34-room boutique hotel. Stays are reserved for visiting scholars, families of students, and those on university business, as well as members. Continental breakfast is included. The dining room features gourmet lunch service, with a focus on locally and sustainably sourced food, and it’s open to the public. The facility is governed by a Board of Directors. theclub.ucsb.edu . 

Sports and an active, outdoor lifestyle are also inspirations for some of Santa Barbara’s most sought-after clubs, most of them with an emphasis on golf, tennis, polo, swimming, and sailing.

The Santa Barbara Polo and Racquet Club

Polo pros from all over the world, including the royal variety, trot to this destination club, one of the oldest of its kind in the U.S. It features the country’s longest polo season, too, with games hosted seasonally from May through mid-October. Games are free to the general public on Fridays, while Sunday games require tickets. Polo memberships come with exclusive dibs on mid-level and upper boxes, for prime viewing.

The club also operates its own polo school, the Santa Barbara Polo Training Center.

The social membership option comes with complimentary attendance at weekend polo matches, as well as invitations to special events throughout the year. Tennis memberships, which come with access to the club’s eight courts, six of which are lit, and swim-and-fitness memberships feature use of the heated pool, jacuzzi, and fitness center, which features yoga and fitness classes. 

Dining has received new focus, with the recent opening of the Fieldside Grill, which is open to the public every Wednesday through Saturday for lunch and dinner.

“We felt that because of our members and the condos on the grounds and the community around us, establishing a full-scale restaurant would be a welcome addition,” says general manager David Sigman . “And the food is as awesome as the views.”

Folded Hills, owned by former polo pro Andy Busch , is the eatery’s wine sponsor. sbpolo.com .

The Montecito Club

One of the premier golf clubs in the area recently reopened, following the 100-year-old Spanish-style property’s three-year, $75 million renovation and subsequent COVID closure. The property is part of Ty Warner Hotels & Resorts, which means members get exclusive access and discounts at luxe sister resorts like the San Ysidro Ranch, the Four Seasons New York, and Las Ventanas al Paraiso in Los Cabos.

The par-71 Jack Nicklaus Signature Course was designed around the property’s natural undulating elevation and boasts sweeping views of the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean. There’s a bowling alley in the all-ages clubhouse known as The Hideout, as well as a 21-seat Dolby Atmos movie theater with a 16-foot CinemaScope screen and concession area. The state-of-the-art fitness facility features Peloton machines and private training. The 25,000-square-foot pool complex has two lap pools, a kids’ pool, a whirlpool, and bar service.

Members can host special events, like weddings, in the ballroom, the Great Room, with its 12 Baccarat crystal chandeliers, or the sprawling 20,000 square foot lawn. Fine dining is available in the clubhouse, which also features a library and wine rooms, and is helmed by new chef Alex Bollinger , a Montecito native whose three decades of experience includes collaborations with names like Tyler Florence and Charlie Palmer . The Signature Membership comes with full club access, while the Connoisseur Membership also includes privileges at the Coral Casino. montecitoclub1918.com .

The Valley Club of Montecito

Opened in 1929, the Valley Club features a deluxe 18-hole, par-72 golf course. Designed like an hourglass, the course, along with bunkers, have undergone extensive renovation after the 2018 mudslides. Other amenities include tennis courts and prime onsite dining. The clubhouse features a living room and inner courtyard. Elegance and privacy rank high here, as well as a strict dress code for anyone ages 12 and up. valleyclub.org .

Birnam Wood

There are more than 140 private homes inside this exclusive, gated property along East Valley Road, the oldest ones dating back to the early 1970s. Membership to the Birnam Wood Golf Club gives access to the par-70 course, which was designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr., opened in 1968 and features Bermuda grass. The clubhouse hosts rotating members-only social events as well as daily gourmet dining options. There are six tennis courts here, too. bwgc.net . 

La Cumbre Country Club

Set on the outer edges of Hope Ranch, La Cumbre Country Club dates back to 1916. It would go on to close for 10 years after World War II, due to waning membership, but it has remained an exclusive haven ever since its reopening in 1957. The 150 shady acres feature a celebrated 18-hole golf course, with various uphill and downhill targets, as well as six championship tennis courts. The social offerings range from card games and tournaments to seasonal parties. Lunch and dinner are offered, with an emphasis on to-go menus during COVID; Sunday champagne buffets have long been popular. The club features multiple membership options. lacumbrecc.org . 

Santa Barbara Yacht Club

It’s all about preserving maritime tradition at this club, which, founded in 1872, is the second oldest yacht club on the West Coast. This is a popular spot on Wet Wednesdays, when dozens of boats take part in several races. Kite boarding draws crowds on Fridays. Food and beverage services are available, including the popular Monday Luncheon Forum, which draws members and their invited guests. Club members are also stewards of the Breakwater Flag Project, which showcases the flags of many of Santa Barbara’s nonprofit groups. Prospective members do not need to own a boat, but they do need endorsement from multiple sponsors. sbyc.org . 

Knowlwood Tennis Club

Located in the heart of Montecito, this club for tennis lovers dates back to 1970. The programs are family oriented, with a bevy of private and group lessons for kids as young as four, and they’re open to non-members, too, though at higher pricing. The club features 10 courts, including two clay courts, as well as a swimming pool. www.knowlwood.club . 

Santa Barbara Tennis Club

Open since 1971, this sports club features 12 tennis courts and various training sessions for adults and juniors. There’s an aquatics program, too, with a 25-yard regulation pool that’s kept at 82 degrees, and a 10-person jacuzzi. The fitness center features yoga and Pilates studios, and the café offers a varied menu and caters various events throughout the year. Local artist receptions are presented the second Friday of every month. “At this point, we have a pretty long waitlist for membership,” says managing partner Amber Bottelsen . santabarbaratennisclub.com . 

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Founded in 2006, Barton & Gray is a boating membership club, one that hopes to make your life on the high seas much easier. From dayboating to sportfishing to special events like the SailGP ride, the brand can host you, your friends, your business partners, and really whoever you’d like on its various vessels dotted around the U.S. and other locales. B&G is an easy way to get on water without all the boating hassle—an idea, it seems, that has only become more sought after in recent years.

Boat clubs have been gaining traction as yachties and novices alike look for ways to avoid the headaches that can come from owning a vessel, such as maintenance costs, docking fees, and more. The membership programs bring the sharing model (similar to private aviation fractional ownership) to the forefront, making it possible to hop on a boat anytime and almost anywhere, depending on where the clubs are available.

The firm has a tiered system to its membership program, so you can have access to as little or as much of the fleet as you’d like. The lowest rank, Sailor, has a $9,500 initiation fee attached and gives you access to an overnight stay on the catamaran as well as the fishing boats, all for an additional fee. For the other four tiers (Commodore, Admiral, Lieutenant, and Ensign), you can expect a $24,500 initiation fee, with varying quarterly dues attached. For the best value, stick with the Lieutenant level, which includes unlimited reservations on the Hinckley vessels and $14,625 in quarterly dues. If you feel like going all in, it’s the Commodore rank for you, with access to everything B&G has to offer and quarterly dues of $29,625. It all depends on what you’re interested in, how much boating you plan to do, and what exact locations you feel like exploring.

Membership input is the primary driver of opening up new harbors, Barton & Gray says. The brand hears where members like to spend their time and where they would like to have access to the B&G fleet, and it looks for ways to make those areas accessible. This has led to the opening of the Charleston and Southampton locales, for example.

And that growth has been accelerating over the last five years, with a membership base of over 1,000 families. The pandemic lockdowns and the need for an escape influenced the boom, but B&G is still expanding. In the last 24 months, the club has added 16 new boats to the fleet, including that 62-foot catamaran, its largest yet. Though, the brand isn’t necessarily focused on the size of its offerings; it’s really about catering to that member experience.

“Our goal is to get as many people on the water as possible,” Brenna Preisser, president of Freedom’s business acceleration division, says during an interview with Robb Report .

Freedom does just that by allowing its members to captain their own boats. It’s the only thing you’ll have to do aboard the vessel, since the boat club takes care of everything else from cleaning to maintenance to repair. Of course, the driver du jour has to undergo a safety training before they take the helm; there’s also a pre-departure checklist before leaving the dock and a safety check upon your return. After that, though, it’s smooth sailing on the boat of your choice from the brand’s fleet, which typically includes vessels 24 feet and below—think runabouts, pontoons, and fishing boats.

The base membership for a family provides unlimited boating with four rolling reservations through the season—meaning you can have four reservations at one time, and once one is completed, you can make another—though typically a single boat reservation is time-limited and not for an entire day. The price can vary per market and per participant; generally, though, you’ll find an initiation fee of $5,000 and a monthly price of $350 to $399, says Preisser.

In 2019, when Freedom was acquired by Brunswick Corporation (which owns Mercury Marine, Sea Ray, and other marine brands), it had 19,000 memberships in 170 locations across the globe. Now, of course, that first number has ballooned by 42,000.

Freedom, like B&G, is still experiencing growth in the wake of the pandemic rush. This year, it’s up 2,600 members so far from 2023. One of the main reasons for this that the club allows new boaters to enter the industry. The other is rather simple: convenience.

Amid the continued expansion, Freedom is looking toward the future in other ways. The brand has just launched a pilot of its new Boston Whaler 280 Vantage in Charleston and Chicago, which is something it intends to scale, says Preisser. And, as it moves to larger, premium boats, the boat club will start dabbling in captained experiences, hopefully to make it a part of its core offerings. With the average MRSP of its vessels sitting under $70,000, the addition of the $300,000 280 Vantage will pack more punch in its fleet.

“Other than ownership, you’re not going to find in the market a brand-new 280 Vantage that you can captain for the value that we provide,” Preisser says.

As I sailed upon the Hudson River, it was easy to see the, well, ease of joining a boat club—and it’s even easier to enjoy. After all, all I had to do once I reached shore was hop onto the dock and go about my day. There’s nothing more convenient than that.

Nicole Hoey is Robb Report's digital editor. While studying at Boston University, she read, wrote and read some more as an English and journalism major. A class taught by a Boston Globe copy editor…

Read More On:

• Barton & Gray
• Freedom Boat Club

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ELMHURST COUNTRY CLUB

You’re invited to join!

Elmhurst Country Club offers several membership levels to accommodate individuals and families. If you would like to learn more about our club or schedule a personal tour, we would love to he ar from you. 

• Senior Membership (Ages 35+) Unlimited Golf Initiation Fee: $0 Dues: $350/month Food Minimum: $60 monthly (excluding January and February) Irrigation Assessment: $30/month Driving Range Fee: $125/year Golf Committee Fee: $100/year Personal Locker (optional): $75/year USGA GHIN Handicap: $35/year Spouse: Dues: $140/month Irrigation Assessment: $10.50/month Driving Range $50.00/year Junior Dues: $35/month Irrigation Assessment: $2.40/month Driving Range $50.00/year
• Provisional Senior (Ages 21-24) Unlimited Golf Initiation Fee: $0 Dues: $140/month Food Minimum: $60 Monthly (excluding January and February) Irrigation Assessment: $12/month Driving Range Fee: $125/year Golf Committee Fee: $100/year
• Provisional Senior (Ages 25-29) Unlimited Golf Initiation Fee: $0 Dues: $210/month Food Minimum: $60 Monthly (excluding January and February) Irrigation Assessment: $18/month Driving Range Fee: $125/year Golf Committee Fee: $100/year
• Provisional Senior (Ages 30-34) Unlimited Golf Initiation Fee: $0 Dues: $262.50/month Food Minimum: $60 Monthly (excluding January and February) Irrigation Assessment: $22.50/month Driving Range Fee: $125/year Golf Committee Fee: $100/year
• Social - Golf up to (3) times/year at the discretion of the Pro Shop Dues: $147/year Food Minimum: $60 Monthly (excluding January and February)
• Social with Junior - Golf at designated times or the discretion of the Pro Shop Initiation Fee: None Dues: $147/year + $210 a month per Junior Golfer Food Minimum:$60 Monthly (excluding January and February) Irrigation Assessment: $18/month Driving Range Fee: $62.50/year
• Cart Fees Single 9 holes - $11.50 Single 18 holes - $23.00
• Guest Green Fees 9 holes weekday - $20.00 plus cart fee 18 holes weekday - $40.00 plus cart fee 9 holes weekend (and holidays) - $30.00 plus cart fee 18 holes weekend (and holidays) - $60.00 plus cart fee Mandatory Cart Days Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Holidays up till 4 PM Walking is permissible on the above days at a fee of: 9 holes - $8, 18 holes - $15.00