The Golf legend Walter Travis designed the Westchester Country Club’s course. We think that’s enough for golf nerds to become super excited about this club. Unfortunately, you can’t enter a private club like the WCC without being a guest or member. So, how much does the Westchester country club membership cost?
The membership cost at Westchester Country Club includes a $200,000 initiation fee without including the annual dues. The annual charges can range from $10,000 to $15,000 depending on your package.
It’s hard not to be taken aback by the cost of membership. But we love what we love, and money shouldn’t be in the way of our passion. So, here we are with the membership details of your favorite club.
Keep reading!
How Much Do You Have To Pay To Be A Member At The Westchester Country Club?
When John Bowman opened the Westchester Country Club, the initiation fee was around $25. Sounds impossible, right? But the amount has changed insanely in recent years.
In 2004, the initiation fee (without annual dues) was around $90,000. However, you currently have to spend around $100k to $200k to initiate the process.
According to members, the annual fees can go from $10k to $15k, depending on your services. The fees will be more if you rent an apartment within the club.
| Particulars | Amount |
| Initiation Fee | $100k to $200k |
| Annual Dues | $10k to $15k |
Sadly, unlike most other clubs, you can’t get a membership only because of money. The authority tries to keep the member list short.
How Do You Become A Member At The Westchester Country Club?
Even if you can afford the hefty initiation fees, the club won’t accept you immediately. There are currently 1500 members who enjoy the club facilities. If you want to be one of them, follow the instructions carefully.
Learn The Rules
We can’t emphasize enough on this step. Before you show up at the country club and try to get a membership flaunting your money, reconsider it. Please learn how the club includes new members.
Unlike other prestigious private clubs, Westchester doesn’t have multiple membership categories. Your package will be different based on which services you want to pay for. And you must follow the dress code from the first day. We have discussed this in the latter section of this article.
Build A Network
Once you know how everything works, look for the existing members. The most effective way to do so is by joining clubs members attend normally. For example, most WCC members are also a part of Ivy League university clubs like Harvard, Princeton, Yale, etc.
Get Recommended
Once you know some members, please don’t ask for recommendations yet. They might have heard this request too many times. Be patient and build a strong connection. Remember, you can be declined even if the members recommend you to the authority.
The board only considers a request if the sponsors are truly excited about the candidate becoming a member. It’s hard to fake these natural human emotions.
Pass The Review Process
Once your friends send a recommendation letter on your behalf, the real game starts. You will be allowed to enter the course. But not as a member. Instead, you will be tested by other members and staff.
You will be paired against players to showcase your real talent in golf. Although it seems pretty tough, don’t worry. The key is to be nice and make as many friends as possible.
A Brief History – Why Is The Westchester Country Club Considered One Of The Best?
Regarding hospitality and golf facilities, nothing can surpass the Westchester Country Club, located at the heart of Rye, NY. Over the years, many affluent golfers chose to make the club a second home for their families. But what is so special about this club? Let’s find out.
1. Where Is It Located?
The club is located in Rye, New York. It was previously known as Westchester Baltimore Country Club. The golf course was designed with two 18-hole courses: west and south. The west course was originally for championship tournaments.
In contrast, the south course was for women and amateur players (with a high level of handicap). But after 1997, that changed. A major renovation at the south course has increased its competitiveness against the west course.
- Address: 99 Baltimore Avenue, Harrison, New York, USA.
- Website: https://www.wccclub.org/
- Contact: 914-967-6000 (telephone)
- Number Of Holes: 36
- Status: Private
Moreover, a 9-hole short course is also available at your disposal. A total of 45 holes are laid out across the 6556 yards course for the members and guests. We guess that’s not over the top for a heavily populated city like New York.
2. Who Designed It?
Three-time U.S. Open Champion Walter Travis was the golf course architect of Westchester Country Club. The hill’s terrain helped him lay out the fairways in a dramatic manner. Travis originally wanted the course to be more open. That’s why the course used to have significantly fewer trees in the early days.
However, after several renovation projects, the authority decided to increase the lush green nature of the field by planting more trees. So, that aspect of Travis’s vision is now lost.
Nonetheless, Walter Travis designed both the south and west courses. It is one of the few golf courses where you can also play backward. Moreover, the courses are filled with artificial water hazards, sand bunkers, and complicated fairways.
3. How Was It Established?
The man behind this spectacular club is none other than John McEntee Bowman. He is a self-made man who made his way to the top of New York’s hotel business.
Many people don’t know that Bowman was extraordinary at racing horses. His vision was to build a hotel that allowed its members to spend time playing polo, golf, riding horses, etc.
And he didn’t waste any time fulfilling this grand and impossible dream. First, he bought 650-acre land from a park before 1922. Then, he employed Walter Travis to design the golf course.
At the same time, he focused on building a luxurious clubhouse with Warren and Wetmore on top of the hill. He ensured that the visitors didn’t need to go outside the club for any need. Every kind of help was available within the hotel, from car mechanics to gardeners.
He didn’t stop there. The club even included a small group of brokers to help the members deal with their business when they are on vacation. It’s pretty hard to find such exquisite facilities at any modern club nowadays.
4. Major Events Hosted At The Westchester Country Club
The Westchester country club has been a favorite since its inauguration in 1922. The next year (1923), it secured the chance to host the U.S. Women’s Amateur.
From 1963 to 1965, the course hosted the Thunderbird Classic. Later that year, it was renamed Westchester Classic. And from 1965 to 2007, the Westchester country club had the honor of arranging it.
Only the top 125 players could participate in the game. It was really exciting for golf lovers all over the world.
Let’s take a quick look at the noteworthy events hosted at the Westchester Country Club.
| Championships | Year |
| U.S Women’s Amateur | 1923 |
| Westchester Classic | 1963-2007 |
| PGA Championship (Women’s) | 2015 |
What Are The Amenities Enjoyed By The Westchester Country Club Members?
People are always curious about the facilities you enjoy in exchange for bearing the membership expenses. So, here we are. Check out the most exciting amenities available to a member at WCC.
Hotel Accommodation
The most attractive facility for a Westchester Club member is the hotel accommodation. The eight-storied hotel has 70 rooms available to entertain guests and members.
- Rooms : First, we have the standard room. Here, you have a king-size or double bed along with T.V., workspace, bathroom, etc.As for the deluxe room, you get everything we have just mentioned. The room décor is unique and luxurious, along with a walk-in shower. If you are staying with the family, ask for connecting bedrooms.
- Suites : Next, we have the suite. It includes a separate bedroom, living area, workspace, bathroom, etc. It’s perfect for longer holidays with your spouse.
- Apartments : Did you know the members are allowed to lease an apartment situated within the hotel? Yes, the apartments have everything you expect from a regular one. But you can call the hotel staff whenever you need help with anything. The lease payment has to be made annually.
Fitness Center
The club recently introduced a well-furnished fitness center. You can use the equipment for cardio or yoga. Feeling sore after a hard day? Get an appointment with a massage therapist to release stress from your body.
The club also includes an in-house spa and sauna. It’s just by the pool. So, you can have the best view while relaxing. You can also experience a 7-acre artificial lagoon for canoeing and swimming.
Host Meetings & Weddings
The members are entitled to use the club’s ballrooms for their private events. These events can be a wedding, huge conference, or intimate meeting.
No matter what your need is, you will find a suitable venue at your disposal. You can arrange your private meetings at Travis salon or Westchester salon, which can hold 30 people easily.
If it’s a wedding, ask for the Biltmore room. The ceiling is decorated with three crystal chandeliers. The warm tone and old-century aesthetics make it a perfect place for evening ceremonies.
Beach Club
You might think the beach club was added to the club later on. But you are mistaken. The founder himself thought about this innovative idea. He bought 1000 feet of long island beach to create the aquatic section of the club.
The beach club comes with an 8,00,000-gallon saltwater pool connected to the sea. It was the biggest pool in New York City when the club opened in 1922.
Moreover, members’ kids are invited to a six-week summer camp program. Kids above the age of three can participate and enjoy their summer through painting, playing, and storytelling.
Restaurant By The Beach
The beach club comes with five separate food and snack bars. You can enjoy beachside food, including grilled fish, steak, and seafood. It’s impossible to fall in love with the view.
A new ice cream corner has been recently added to cheer up the younger population. The menu is quite versatile, to be honest. You will find casual to contemporary seasoned food available whenever you ask.
What To Know When Visiting The Westchester Country Club?
Let’s take a look at the rules and regulations you are expected to follow while visiting the club.
- Let the hotel know two days earlier if you want to cancel the trip. Otherwise, you will be charged for one night’s stay.
- Try to check out before 2.00 pm. If you delay the check-out till 3. pm, you must pay half of your night’s stay. If you decide to check out after 6.00 pm, be prepared to pay the full night’s charge.
- As for the dress codes, say no to blue denim. You can’t roam around the hotel lobby wearing denim.
- You can’t wear tank tops or swimming suits in front of other members in the lobby.
- A member must accompany you while visiting the beach club. And change your swimsuits before entering the hotel lobby. The club has separate bathhouses for you to freshen up.
- While entering any club facilities like the bowman room or the Travis room, keep your phone in silent mode.
- If you must use the phone urgently, try to be as quiet as possible. Don’t interrupt your fellow club members.
Frequently Asked Questions
We have covered everything we wanted to share with you. But before concluding the discussion, here’s a quick Q&A section for you.
Why Is It So Hard To Rent A Cabana At The Beach Club Of WCC?
Being a member of the beach club is hard enough. But even if you become one, forget about getting a cabana at the famous beach club. Currently, there is a 10-year-long waiting list. They are owned by members and passed down to their families through wills. So, you can only inherit one.
What Is The Rank Of Westchester Country Club?
Westchester Country Club is ranked 29th among America’s 4000 private golf courses. That makes it a platinum club. We can’t say WCC is the best in New York. It faces strong competition from the Shinnecock Hills Country Club, Fisher’s Island, and Friar’s Head, to name a few.
What Games Can You Play At Westchester Country Club?
The most prominent game section is the golf course. The field has 36 holes across two holes to match your skill level. And, if you get bored, you can also play squash, tennis, handball, etc.
Currently, the club owns 15 tennis courts, of which 5 are grass courts. Also, the saltwater pool is spectacular and attracts swimmers worldwide.
Conclusion
Private clubs are known for demanding hefty prices in exchange for membership. But it’s very rare to see a country club live up to how much you spend. Luckily, the Westchester Country Club defies this tradition. As you have seen in the article, the club is dedicated to giving you the best holiday experience.
We know the fees might have turned you off. But consider it as an investment. And most importantly, the membership saves you the trouble of buying a vacation home. Imagine how much you would spend on insurance bills, renovation, and upkeep expenses.
We think it’s better to let the club’s staff take care of those things for you. The Westchester Country Club has the potential to be your second home. Just give it a try!