Mayfield/Sand Ridge Club (Mayfield Location)

Mr. Welc set up a round table discussion for us with the Assistant General Manage Mr. Cosgrove and the head of golf Mr. Wood. We had a really interesting and fun conversation that went beyond our interview questions.
Many of our questions centered around the recent mergers: with Sand Ridge five years ago and Oakwood this past year. Sand Ridge was a simple acquisition because it only had golf facilities and fewer members. Oakwood, a historically Jewish country club, brought in about 200 members with all new wants and needs. With 815 members the Mayfield/Sand Ridge/Oakwood is "bursting at the seams."
Mayfield's number one goal is to continue to be a family club. There is a relaxed dress code to add to an atmosphere that kids and families feel like they're at home. They offer a kids camp over the summer along with many junior golf and tennis activities. Women have always been included in the club and are even on the board.

Food and Beverage:
Mayfield's food and beverage has experienced a huge change with the cultural change by adding the members of Oakwood. The Jewish culture uses the club's dining facilities especially for lunch to the maximum. Also by bringing over Oakwood's chef, the menu is in transition to appease the Jewish pallet. With such a huge increase in membership, the kitchen has been pushed to its highest capacity. Such a challenge was expected and has been dealt with an increase in staff. There is a dining room that is open six days for an upscale meal. Also a snack bar by the pool and an annex by the golf course. With 815 members, the club is able to turn a profit of the al la carte, because of the high turnover rate.

Golf:
Mayfield members can brag to their friends that they belong to a club that has two golf courses. The Mayfield Course $900,000 to run and more of a home course for the Mayfield members. The Sand Ridge Course is $1.2 million, but its country feeling requires more expenses. There are 750 golf members that belong to the club. The proshops are owned by the club and they turn about $700,000 in sales. They have held NCAA regional finals but don't want to hold any huge tournaments because it takes the course away from the members. Bert Way designed the Mayfield course along with the famous Firestone.

While golf is the main attraction, tennis is on the rise. It is cheaper in time and money so members are beginning to get back into tennis. Mayfield plans to build an indoor facility, similar to the one at Oakwood that the members loved.
Membership:
Mayfield offers various memberships. The Golf is 'all in.' Membership is everything besides golf. Clubhouse is the dining, fitness and limited golf. We discussed the idea of a semi-private club and Mr. Welc said, 'you're either private or not.' The average age was 53 before the Oakwood merger but now it has to be closer to 60. Part of Oakwood's failure was everything and everyone became really old.
Mayfield's location used to be prime and known as out in the country. Now in 2010 they wish the location was not so urban. However, the location does not really bother the members. Mayfield's goal is to keep the members and continue to adapt to the recent merger. Their staff is extremely knowledgeable and experienced, the future seems very hopeful.