Birchwood Farms Golf and Country Club Member Beware Harbor Springs Michigan
Birchwood Golf and Country Club, in Harbor Springs, Michigan, initially required property purchase for membership. There were varying lots of different sizes, some “buildable” others merely membership lots; prices were set accordingly.
From that land purchase the member rightfully could assume that had something of value for their commitment to the club. The problem was the club had a decade of poor financial decisions by the management and board of directors that resulted in property values plummeting - to the point of being worthless.
What the club chose to do to compensate for the downfall was implement bylaws that forced members, at the time they cared to resign their memberships, to pay a $15,000 buyout fee. And, additionally, should the family member who originally joined not buy their way out, upon their death the membership passed on to their family.
Even a member of good standing, with 30-plus years of devoted membership, who was too old to play golf or use the facility, was subject to the exorbitant buy out fee. Not only was there no gratitude for the members allegiance, they were being held a financial hostage for their servitude.
This is a classic case of read the fine print, or in this case, the bylaws. No well intentioned person, interested in joining a club, willing to commit to monthly dues, should ever be held over a fire for a club’s ineptness and greed.