FBGC - Memberships

People are asking... so let's talk about Memberships.

 

If you think this post is too long... have your wife's boyfriend read it out loud when he tucks you into bed at night.

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While we started out as a "league" in 2011, we long ago transitioned into a Club. Why is this important? Because we still have status with the USGA as an Authorized Golf Club. They required us to create By-Laws, a Handicap Review Board, and pass yearly tests (which I continue to do). Golf's governing bodies want all players in Clubs, and they want those Clubs to be organized.

One could argue that none of this is necessary. But from my perspective, the well-oiled machine doesn't operate without taking things somewhat seriously. Any ounce of "who gives a shit" only adds rust to the cogs. Which is why we created the Board of Directors — hopefully always populated by people who have shits to give.

Part of the USGA requirements was to set a maximum number of Memberships (minimum is 10 by their decree). It can be any number we want, as long as we host enough events so each Member has a reasonable opportunity to record multiple rounds with peer-verification, as well as partake in non-golf "cohesion activities." I set this number at 24 Members, because:

1) It was my best guess at how large we could get without me wasting spending countless hours manually processing results, stats, schedules, handicaps, trips, and "special needs/requests."

2) Six foursomes was thought be the right size for most courses to offer a discount, without private courses pushing us out until the afternoon.

In hindsight, the correct number was probably 20 Members. But whatever... we're locked in at 24, and that isn't going to change any time soon.

We currently have 21 official Members, and 4+ guys who have expressed interest in joining. Per our By-Laws, prospective members must jump through a lot of hoops:

• Be publicly sponsored by a current Member in good standing.
• Play in at least 5 Club events as a guest.
• Pass an initial Board vote, receiving 3/5ths affirmative to proceed to a general Club vote.
• Receive at least 75% affirmative votes in the general Club vote, with at least 3/5ths of current Membership partaking in the vote.
• Not be named any variation of "Mike" (lol jk?)
  

Five people have made it through this extremely high standard. But why make it so difficult? Because your fellow Club Members are the people you hang out with on Sundays after begging your WAGs to leave the house. They're who you compete against. Who you win/lose money to. Who you sit next to in a cart for 4+ hours. Who you share a house/room/bathroom with at the Rapture and other trips. Membership is basically the most important aspect, and yet we've never had 100% voter turnout.

 

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Unfortunately, at least one current prospective member isn't going to make it (again, only three open spots). Theoretically, all of them could fail to earn enough votes. The Sponsors should have already communicated something to this effect, regardless of knowing the exact voting thresholds. If they didn't, it might be time to send some of them to FBGC Re-Education Camp.

 

In any case... Cy Young, Joe DiMaggio, Yogi Berra, and Whitey Ford all didn't make the Hall of Fame on the first ballot. It took Bill Gates years to receive an Augusta National invitation after inquiring about a membership (something they frown upon). Dave may never be allowed to join Pine Valley due to his inability to pay Adam $252.

How current Members vote on Prospectives is an individual choice. The Club has given no official guidance, as it would be inappropriate to do so. Our Membership cap is strictly about keeping things manageable.

Of course, we have open spots basically every week. If someone doesn't make the voting threshold this year, they're always welcome to keep filling in. Hopefully the guests are having a good time playing more golf on a wide variety of courses — despite not officially partaking in our prestigious events.