The Leave of Absence

When we visited by phone with club executives about their leave of absence policies (see “The Member Leave of Absence,” page 2, July 2003 PCA), we came across several innovative ways clubs are accommodating members who seek temporary relief from their financial obligations to the club.

Rolling Green Country Club, Arlington Heights, IL, allows a total of two years of leave time to every member, to be taken at the individual’s discretion any time during the “lifetime” of the membership.  No reason must be given.  Every leave must be for a minimum of one year, to prevent members from taking leave a few months at a time during the off-season.  General manager Paul Hattimer said the member pays no dues or fees during his absence, and has no financial obligation upon his return.

Every full member at Hyde Park Golf & Country Club, Cincinnati, OH, has a one-time opportunity to move down to a social membership without financial penalty upon his return to full-member status.  Chief executive officer Warren Wall added there is no time limit on the social membership.

Bradenton Country Club , Bradenton, FL, has tried to fashion a policy enabling the member on leave to ease back into full membership when he is ready, as long as it is within three years.  A member whose leave is approved may remain on leave for a minimum of one year and a maximum of three.  During that time, he pays a monthly maintenance fee of $50 plus a $20 capital contribution.

By being on leave, the member opens another spot on the club roster.  The maintenance fee “protects” the membership.  The person can “pick up where he left off” without additional charges when he returns, general manager Jim Brand said.  If the club has a waiting list, however, the person goes on that list.

“We just want to make sure we don’t lose the person as a member,” Brand said.  He recalls only two people on leave in recent years who subsequently resigned from the club.  He believes the club’s current leave policy kept the number that low.