Founders makes changes to meet members' needs

Most Sunday afternoons at The Founders Golf Club are special for the Fetigan family.

"It is my bonding time with my three sons," said Ian Fetigan, the general manager of the Robert Trent Jones Jr.-designed course.

They usually play nine holes, and there is practically nobody around to interrupt their quality time.

At The Founders Golf Club, there are no tee times and only 140 golf members.

In January, the high-end private club off Fruitville Road in Sarasota hosted more than 1,000 rounds of golf. The play is up 12 percent since the start of the fiscal year in October 2007.

By comparison, Bobby Jones Golf Club booked 15,850 rounds in January 2007 and almost 15,000 last month.

For well-heeled golfers, who want their privacy, The Founders Golf Club is as good as it gets -- a great, 18-hole championship course, outstanding service and all the amenities a private club has to offer.

But it does come with a price tag -- $82,500 to join, plus $9,420 in yearly dues. That's for a full equity golf membership and that's before the meter starts running for cart fees, guest fees, food and drink.

The club recently celebrated its three-year anniversary, and Fetigan will be the first to admit the thinking has changed since the first ball was struck. Real estate sales are down, and like most private clubs, attracting new members is challenging.

"Our society is changing," said Fetigan. "The next generation doesn't seem to regard the private club membership with the same prestige as our parents did."

With that in mind, The Founders has established a broader focus. The golf course sells itself, but Fetigan says members want more than golf. There is an emphasis on fitness, wellness and social activities. What the members want, the club will more than likely oblige.

For example, membership director Valerie Soroker is planning a one-day shopping trip to New York City for some female members. Also, because so many of the club's members play on the weekends, the Valentine's tournament will be held on Saturday, followed by a dinner/dance.

At one time, the club attempted to lure low-handicap golfers to join a club with a challenging course. It did not get as many as expected. The Founders has about 20 single-digit handicappers and the average age of the members is about 53.

Although there are no plans to open the club to a variety of outings or a tour event, Fetigan says he would consider making the club the home course and practice facility for an area high school.

As of now, tennis great Ivan Lendl and baseball Hall of Famer Carlton Fisk are the most famous members. Lendl and his daughters, who attend Leadbetter Golf Academy in Bradenton, use the club on a regular basis.

To boost the membership and show off the club, The Founders has initiated an associate membership. The associate golf member pays $4,800 for one year and can play 12 times during the season and an unlimited amount with reduced fees during the offseason.

Fetigan scoffs at the rumors that The Founders Golf Club is in financial trouble.

"My response is to come out and see what is going on," he said. "There are no issues regarding our financial stability."

In fact, because of an aggressive membership program, Fetigan predicts the club will have a full golf membership by the end of 2009. He needs 135 more golf members to reach that goal.

Fetigan is not alone in his mission. Just about every private club in the area could use more members.

At historic Sara Bay Country Cub, the initiation fee is $25,000, but a golfer can purchase a two-year interim membership for $2,500 and pay the monthly dues. After two years, the golfer must decide whether he or she wants to become a full member.

At Palm-Aire CC, which just celebrated its 50-year anniversary, the initiation fee is $8,000. General manager Michael Cofer says the club has 770 members, down 15 percent from its high a few years ago. A recent $1.3 million interior renovation to the clubhouse helped attract 45 new members.

Quite frankly, with public and semi-private clubs diminishing, private clubs deserve a look.

No tee times, nobody hitting into you and nobody to slow you down. Caddies are on call at The Founders Golf Club. Three-hour rounds are not uncommon.

It's all about wanting to enjoy the country club experience and having the means to do it.