OT: LaFayette Hills Golf Course

[Orangeyes]

Probably the most talked about tract in CNY. The talk isn't always good. Here are some examples.

In 2010 the course advertised a two year membership for $1798 which included unlimited golf, cart for both seasons, free use of the driving range for two seasons, four guest passes and a free Easter buffet for two.

Season 2010 went according to plan except some members didn't receive the free buffet, those that did said the food and service was terrible.

In 2011 the owner changed the rules despite signed contracts with the above stated benefits.

The first thing to happen was when a member went out alone he was charged $13.50 for the empty seat. Next when he went to use the his driving range pass he was told that it was no longer in effect. The new pro offered some of the disgruntled members use of the driving range for $100. The pro was of shaky integrity and those who knew him stayed away from that offer. Before the season was half over he was fired. Those who paid the $100, even though they were supposed to be getting it free were SOL.

There are other horror stories about that club including people calling for a Sunday Tee-Time of say 8 AM only to show up and see three other groups who said they had the 8 AM time. The ensuing arguments got pretty ugly at times. It is said the owner doesn't trust any of his assistants so he takes Tee-Times as he mows the grass and rarely writes anything down.

Two years ago people were being charged $6 for a hot dog.

Some days people show up to play golf and the course is closed for no reason. There is no rhyme or reason early & late in the year as to when the course is open. Some times it's after a rainfall which would preclude people from riding the course but they won't even allow members to walk it on those days.

There are many times when they don't answer the phone so you can't make a Tee time. Other times an answering machine will come on, you leave your message but no one ever gets back to you.

If you have ever had a good or bad experience at this club please feel free to leave your comments.

Tax woes stall LaFayette Hills Golf & Country Club

 

[SkanSU]

Never played Lafayette ... but I was planning to as they are on my listof reciprocals .. but now? I would like a guaranteed tee time for sure without playing rock-scissors-paper with 2-3 other groups!

 

[sutomcat]

Probably the most talked about tract in CNY. The talk isn't always good. Here are some examples.

In 2010 the course advertised a two year membership for $1798 which included unlimited golf, cart for both seasons, free use of the driving range for two seasons, four guest passes and a free Easter buffet for two.

Season 2010 went according to plan except some members didn't receive the free buffet, those that did said the food and service was terrible.

In 2011 the owner changed the rules despite signed contracts with the above stated benefits.

The first thing to happen was when a member went out alone he was charged $13.50 for the empty seat. Next when he went to use the his driving range pass he was told that it was no longer in effect. The new pro offered some of the disgruntled members use of the driving range for $100. The pro was of shaky integrity and those who knew him stayed away from that offer. Before the season was half over he was fired. Those who paid the $100, even though they were supposed to be getting it free were SOL.

There are other horror stories about that club including people calling for a Sunday Tee-Time of say 8 AM only to show up and see three other groups who said they had the 8 AM time. The ensuing arguments got pretty ugly at times. It is said the owner doesn't trust any of his assistants so he takes Tee-Times as he mows the grass and rarely writes anything down.

Two years ago people were being charged $6 for a hot dog.

Some days people show up to play golf and the course is closed for no reason. There is no rhyme or reason early & late in the year as to when the course is open. Some times it's after a rainfall which would preclude people from riding the course but they won't even allow members to walk it on those days.

There are many times when they don't answer the phone so you can't make a Tee time. Other times an answering machine will come on, you leave your message but no one ever gets back to you.

If you have ever had a good or bad experience at this club please feel free to leave your comments.

Tax woes stall LaFayette Hills Golf & Country Club

Worst run golf course in CNY. Maybe the universe.

It is sad because the course is a good one, there are nice views and the layout is excellent. The course itself has also fallen on hard times as the current owner has let it fall steadily into disrepair since he has owned it. Used to always be in great shape. That is no longer the case.

 

[SkanSU]

Another interesting side note ... totally off basketball. I was talking with my insurance person yesterday and he is a big golf person. I don't know if anyone has played Timber Lakes ... unbelievable course!! Anyway, Radisson has beenwanting to but it but many DEC problems. I guess the owner, out of Rochester, put in something w/o DEC approval and got them all pissed off ... now they won't approve a clubhouse. The present owner would be better off selling to Radisson and maybe they can appease the DEC and be allowed to build one ... otherwise Timber lakes is going to go down hill. .. and it is an amazing course.

 

[Orangeyes]

Another interesting side note ... totally off basketball. I was talking with my insurance person yesterday and he is a big golf person. I don't know if anyone has played Timber Lakes ... unbelievable course!! Anyway, Radisson has beenwanting to but it but many DEC problems. I guess the owner, out of Rochester, put in something w/o DEC approval and got them all pissed off ... now they won't approve a clubhouse. The present owner would be better off selling to Radisson and maybe they can appease the DEC and be allowed to build one ... otherwise Timber lakes is going to go down hill. .. and it is an amazing course.

I don't think Radisson is in postition to buy anything. They have been courting the owner of Foxfire to buy them for the past couple of years. Timber Banks also has a huge tax bill each year, $150,000, that's three times that of Foxfire & twice that of Radisson's.

Radisson needs a lot of work, if they had the money to buy Timber Banks how come they can't afford to maintain simple things such as traps. I heard that play was down & they had a tough financial year.

 

[SkanSU]

Sorry ... got my name and courses mixed. Timber Banks ... not Timber Lakes ...memory fart. Played there only once ... and yep, my insurance man did say Radisson wanted to buy Foxfire ... not Timber Banks... early AM and memory (as well as brain) doesn't function until about noon (my wife would say that is too early an estimate as well) ...

The problem with Timber Banks (according to my IA) is, again no clubhouse and on-going problems with DEC. Its a semi-private club that few want to join ... why would they. After a tuff day on the course... no clubhouse, no dinner, no bar ... I mean OMG!! They need to fix their relations up with the DEC and build the clubhouse ... it is a nice course. Long narrow par 4's ... tuff, fast greens!

I have never played Radisson ... but I heard that was a nice course?

 

[Rocco]

most private and semi-private country clubs are in serious financial troubles. it is a shame, but many people don't get the "value" out of these clubs that they used to, or just simply dont have the discretionary money to afford a membership. i am pretty involved with one.

 

[Orangeyes]

Sorry ... got my name and courses mixed. Timber Banks ... not Timber Lakes ...memory fart. Played there only once ... and yep, my insurance man did say Radisson wanted to buy Foxfire ... not Timber Banks... early AM and memory (as well as brain) doesn't function until about noon (my wife would say that is too early an estimate as well) ...quote]

SkanSU, it's Radisson wanting to sell their course to Foxfire, not the other way around

 

[oldpinepoint]

We had a Not for profit Golf Tournament last year at Lafayette hills. First time we had it there. It was awful. Service was terrible, food was terrible, things werent done that should have been. We moved it after one year to the pompey club. I always thought they would sub divide the property and build houses on it.

Radisson was the best public course when i was growing up. Havent played there in years. Heard there were weeds in the sand traps.

 

[SkanSU]

Ahhh ... thanks OE.

 

[DezisOrange]

Another golf lover here (even though i stink). Radisson has been looking for a buyer for a bit now. At one point the community assoc. and membership were trying to see if they could purchase it. Price is a little steep right now considering the economy and though you gotta love the track, everyone says it is in no way what it used to be. However its in no way even close to what's going on at Laffayette. Taken care of. Good service. Pricey because of the good values in cny area. The sellers are not going to get what they want in this economy and with golf courses closing all over the place. Do yourselves a favor and play Timber Banks at least once. More than fair off the tee...but the work starts on the greens...gotta be good with approaches and getting on the right levels...and then after all that ya gotta be a deft putter. And I'm telling you, because of all the drainage they have, you literally can play ten minutes after a total downpour. The best practice area locally bar none. I was wondering why the clubhouse wasn't being built for a place of that caliber...now it makes sense because the things they tell you about the missing clubhouse seems kind'a lame. Again in todays economy most people can't afford to play their more than a coupl'a times a year. The economy here locally and all the companies that have closed over the past 17-18 years has really taken a toal on things like golf courses because upkeep and maintenance costs keep rising and they are trying to make it generally by charging more money, but less rounds are being played and memberships are down. Its just sad.

 

[SkanSU]

most private and semi-private country clubs are in serious financial troubles. it is a shame, but many people don't get the "value" out of these clubs that they used to, or just simply dont have the discretionary money to afford a membership. i am pretty involved with one.

I belong to a pretty nice one ... nice course ... nice facilities. Not overly pompous ... but many ofmy friends belong and so its nice ... and not a whole lot expensive like so many semi-privates and privates. My Insurance guy says that the Calvary Club is unbelievably expensive for initiation and yearly fees ...

 

[SkanSU]

I played Timber Banks (not Lakes) x1 b/c I had a 2fer coupon. That was the only way I could afford it. My problem with TB (and it is an amazingly beautiful course) are the narrow fairways. Like you Dezis I am a duffer 1st grade and have a terminal slice ... not good for that course. I have a dream that one day I will find a coupon for Turning Stone.

 

[Orangeyes]

I played Timber Banks (not Lakes) x1 b/c I had a 2fer coupon. That was the only way I could afford it. My problem with TB (and it is an amazingly beautiful course) are the narrow fairways. Like you Dezis I am a duffer 1st grade and have a terminal slice ... not good for that course. I have a dream that one day I will find a coupon for Turning Stone.

They have great deals right now at Turning Stone. Check them out by giving them a call.

 

[Rocco]

The economy here locally and all the companies that have closed over the past 17-18 years has really taken a toal on things like golf courses because upkeep and maintenance costs keep rising and they are trying to make it generally by charging more money, but less rounds are being played and memberships are down. Its just sad.

Spot on. Membership levels at most places have taken a hit. There are so many creative membership drives that haven't panned out. The golf course industry is in a serious slide locally, and frankly, I don't see how it will ever improve.

 

[SkanSU]

They have great deals right now at Turning Stone. Check them out by giving them a call.

Thanks OE ... I'll check that out. My step-son has always wanted to play TS as well ... but the price... wow (cheapest, I think, was $120 for one of the 18's ... 250 for the PGA course) ... anyway I was thinking that might be a nice Xmas present ... so I will check out any deals. I do understand that they limit the number of players on each course ... or at least the PGA course?

 

[Orangeyes]

The deals I'm talking about are fall specials. Tomcat has taken advatage of some of their offers, maybe he could chime in.

 

[SkanSU]

Spot on. Membership levels at most places have taken a hit. There are so many creative membership drives that haven't panned out. The golf course industry is in a serious slide locally, and frankly, I don't see how it will ever improve.

I know the club I belong to hasn't raised (much) their membership fees in a couple of years. I think that its becoming very Darwinian relative to CNY courses. There are quite a few courses in the area with declining numbers playing golf (death and economy). The very private courses will,of course, survive (ie: Calvary, Lakeshore, Skaneateles, Onondaga, and Bellevue) because of the their exclusive and affluent membership ... and matching fees and dues. It's the public and semi-privates that are going to live and/or die by their membership ... and they can only do that by maintaining their courses and offering "special" treatment that they follow through on. What is killing many are the tax levies.

What is nice about the club I belong to is their proximity compared to anywhere else ... therefore theymaintain a consistent patronage while maintaining modest but sufficient facilities.

 

[SkanSU]

The deals I'm talking about are fall specials. Tomcat has taken advatage of some of their offers, maybe he could chime in.

Drat ... its going to snow tomorrow ... I have sort of put away the clubs for the season.

 

[Rocco]

I know the club I belong to hasn't raised (much) their membership fees in a couple of years. I think that its becoming very Darwinian relative to CNY courses. There are quite a few courses in the area with declining numbers playing golf (death and economy). The very private courses will,of course, survive (ie: Calvary, Lakeshore, Skaneateles, Onondaga, and Bellevue) because of the their exclusive and affluent membership ... and matching fees and dues. It's the public and semi-privates that are going to live and/or die by their membership ... and they can only do that by maintaining their courses and offering "special" treatment that they follow through on. What is killing many are the tax levies.

What is nice about the club I belong to is their proximity compared to anywhere else ... therefore theymaintain a consistent patronage while maintaining modest but sufficient facilities.

Even Skaneateles doesn't have a membership waiting list anymore. They had one for as long as I can remember. Even things are beginning to dry up at some of the nicer private courses.

 

[DCCuse]

Many of you know, but I've worked this summer at Links at Erie Village in their pro shop. If you haven't played there at all or in awhile you really should. Great deals and the owner spends a great deal on upkeep. Played yesterday and still in unbelievable shape for this time of year. I know the weather is crappy the next few days, but next week supposed to get back into the 60's. The special is $25 for 18 holes with cart Mon-Friday; $30 on weekend.

 

[Orangeyes]

Many of you know, but I've worked this summer at Links at Erie Village in their pro shop. If you haven't played there at all or in awhile you really should. Great deals and the owner spends a great deal on upkeep. Played yesterday and still in unbelievable shape for this time of year. I know the weather is crappy the next few days, but next week supposed to get back into the 60's. The special is $25 for 18 holes with cart Mon-Friday; $30 on weekend.

Too bad they lost the Futures. It was an easy course to walk and follow the action. The driving range was conveniently located and a good place to watch swings. The year they lost it they said it was only temporary. Kind of like the day Wally Pipp had a headache

 

[sutomcat]

The deals I'm talking about are fall specials. Tomcat has taken advatage of some of their offers, maybe he could chime in.

You can play the Turning Stone courses on the cheap right now, kind of. Last I knew you should tee off at 2 PM or later on the weekend and play for $50 (Kaluyat or Shenendoah). Might be even cheaper on weekdays (don't think so). With the DST change, there is no way you will get 18 in now...it was a better deal in early October.

 

[sutomcat]

Too bad they lost the Futures. It was an easy course to walk and follow the action. The driving range was conveniently located and a good place to watch swings. The year they lost it they said it was only temporary. Kind of like the day Wally Pipp had a headache

FYI, I have been told the players hated L @ EV. Conditions were very bad the last couple of years they played there. They really like playing at Drumlins. I don't think it will ever go back there. This comes from multiple excellent sources.

 

[Shrmdougluvr]

When I lived in Syracuse I was right next door to the Lafayette Country Club. I believe it was semi-private at the time, and a person I know from back home who had grown up in the Valley said the Club used to be restricted.

I have lived in two places with a plethora of good, inexpensive golf options (Syracuse NY and South Central PA).

With respect to Country Club memberships, being a young professional, I have looked into membership. However, with respect to "rainmaking," I would get little value out of a membership at this point.