Jewish-Friendly Country Clubs (Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Chester: home, to live in, moving to)

[robrobrob]

At some of these clubs, despite being desperate for younger members, I, by virtue of being female, wouldn't be able to golf during "member" times, and I wouldn't be able to golf with my husband at certain times. (and I'm not talking one or two mornings during the week, I'm talking prime times- Friday mornings, Saturday mornings, etc.).

I think that a lot of the clubs limit the times a non-voting member spouse can play golf. For example, if you are the voting member then you can play Saturday mornings but your husband can not. Additionally, a lot of the clubs "push" you toward a swat on weekends which basically means that you are paired up with people of like abilities. I know most clubs have a blue tee and a white tee swat. The plus for this is that you don't have to organize a game. The swats usually get first crack at the early weekend tee times. If you aren't interested in the swat then I would look around because at some clubs they aren't as popular as they are at others.

Frankly, I don't think religion means that much at even the top clubs, like Fox Chapel, the Field Club, as much as who you know. Basically, at the more "selective" clubs you just need to know more people or the right people.

I would also join as soon as economically feasible because the initition fees are set at the time your join. So the longer you wait the more it becomes.

[fleetiebelle]

At some of these clubs, despite being desperate for younger members, I, by virtue of being female, wouldn't be able to golf during "member" times,

I know at my parents' club, Tuesday is "Ladies Day". Like it's a novelty that women play golf.

[JohnZ963]

Pretty much any country club in the Pittsburgh area other than Oakmont, Field Club, Fox Chapel, and maybe Allegheny or St. Clair would be happy to have you right now, especially as a younger person. And even those listed would probably not discriminate on religion, you just need to know the right people and be able to cough up the initiation fees.

I know several die-hard golfers in their late 20s/early 30s who are members at Sewickley Heights, Chartiers, Shannopin, etc. and love it. The rates for younger people are pretty good, relatively.

[aveojohn]

http://http://www.longuevueclub.net/Club/Scripts/Home/home.asp (broken link)

[ElijahAstin]

By Jewish-friendly, I hardly mean Jewish-exclusive. In reference to country clubs, I simply define the term as open and welcoming to Jewish members, along with containing at least a measurable proportion of Jewish members.

[Copanut]

Oy vey, I felt the same way when the Oakland JCC let a goyim like me join back in the 80's.

[ddietrich]

Originally Posted by HeavenWood

By Jewish-friendly, I hardly mean Jewish-exclusive. In reference to country clubs, I simply define the term as open and welcoming to Jewish members, along with containing at least a measurable proportion of Jewish members.

Pittsburgh has such a large Jewish population. It's really no big deal.
As a 29 year old, in my adult lifetime I've never heard of someone being discriminated against in this town because they are Jewish. I have a hard time believing any country club would have the statistics of their members such that anyone could tell you the proportion of Jewish members.

When the time comes (which is still a ways off) you should pick a club that is convenient for the part of town where you are going to settle down and that has the best atmosphere to offer you and your family.

[ElijahAstin]

I played at Green Oaks and liked it a lot, but the place did seem a bit crusty. Westmoreland is a great course, too, but if I do settle in Pittsburgh, it will probably be in Mt. Lebanon, and Export is a bit of a hike.

If Longue Vue would let me in, I would love to belong there.

And Pittsburgh's Jewish population is much smaller and more concentrated than Philadelphia's, where I grew up. Squirrel Hill is very nice, but besides Mt. Lebanon and Fox Chapel, the greater Pittsburgh area seemed to lack much of a Jewish population. From what I understand, only Allegheny County really has a Jewish presence.

[Copanut]

South Hills CC is not that far from Lebo, that's a possibility.

[ddietrich]

Originally Posted by HeavenWood

I played at Green Oaks and liked it a lot, but the place did seem a bit crusty. Westmoreland is a great course, too, but if I do settle in Pittsburgh, it will probably be in Mt. Lebanon, and Export is a bit of a hike.

If Longue Vue would let me in, I would love to belong there.

You're putting the cart before the horse. With today's economy, who knows where you'll end up settling, and even what kind of job you'll end up getting. Plus you never know who you're going to meet (as in potential spouse) and where that part of your life will take you. I'm a big planner myself, but you have a lot of time before joining somewhere. And it's an investment, so you have to be pretty certain that you're going to stay before joining.

I would advise to try to get on and play as many places as you can. It's not too hard to get on most courses. I go to a lot of charity events through my job and have purchased rounds at a number of area clubs. I also work with a number of people who belong to various courses and have golfed with many of them. I've only been golfing for about 3 1/2 years, but I've played way more country club courses than most people I know.