Mrs Ksig and myself live over near Rivercrest and have been eying the place. When I requested information, they gave me pricing information (which for what I know about CCs I thought pricing was basically standard, not super high but definitely not a bargain either). However they also told me the club was invitation only. Neither of us originally being from FW (I'm from Dallas she's from South TX), we don't really know any current members. The only other club in the area I've been around much is Ridglea. I didn't know if anybody on here was a member anywhere in the area and could give some insight (we have decided we are cowtown people and plan on staying in FW for the long haul) on the pros and cons of each club and some good places or orgs we could network in to get to know people who might be members.

If all you want is the social aspect and dont golf then Colonial has a social membership

A lot of Rivercrest's membership are your neighbors and it is very much a "social" CC so it may be preferable if that is what you are looking for, the golf course is nothing special but it is immaculate. A lot of old FW money are members there (same as Colonial) given the location although the club still has plenty of fresh blood from people moving in.

We were members at Ridglea when we lived in FW (actually lived on #5 on the South Course); appreciated having two golf courses (at least if you are male) and the club was more laid-back than the others on the west side. It was also where a lot of our friends and family were members so that made it enjoyable.

Ag CPA said:

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A lot of Rivercrest's membership are your neighbors and it is very much a "social" CC so it may be preferable if that is what you are looking for, the golf course is nothing special but it is immaculate. A lot of old FW money are members there (same as Colonial) given the location although the club still has plenty of fresh blood from people moving in.

We were members at Ridglea when we lived in FW (actually lived on #5 on the South Course); appreciated having two golf courses (at least if you are male) and the club was more laid-back than the others on the west side. It was also where a lot of our friends and family were members so that made it enjoyable.

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That's definitely the vibe I get from it as far as the proximity of the neighborhood. Yeah the course looks incredibly well kept and looks pretty walkable as well.

I'm on the waitlist for Ridglea. I live nearby and lots of friends are members there and love it. I don't golf though, and it seems most of the people I know who are serious about it are members at Colonial.

As for the invitation thing, when we joined the Fort Worth Club I didn't think we knew any members personally, and it turned out that we didn't. But when I started asking around, there were quite a few friends of friends who were happy to write letters for us. I've even seen women post in the Tanglewood
moms group asking for introductions. You might give that a try if you're really set on Rivercrest.

Invitation only at these places is the equivalent of getting something certified. They just want you to go through a little bit of effort to make it seem a bit more exclusive.

Waitlists will vary.

Ridglea is the best value, but also still considered "second rung" in Fort Worth (and has been for serveral decades) if you care about your status amongst the elites. Still some major bread-winners there, but also a large percentage of "we both graduated college and have decent jobs but nothing special" households.

Colonial and River Crest still where the upper-crust are, but even that has been diluted significantly over the last 20 years. I can't speak for River Crest, but I know Colonial very much has a lot of "members" that are more or less just pool and "4th of July" members that don't get free reign of the place (even outside of golf). If you're in Tanglewood you have to keep up with the Joneses, and part of those credentials is saying you "belong to Colonial" -- even if that means your dues don't get you access to all of the events.

If the $$$ aren't a factor? Go Colonial.

If you're looking for a good value place to get out of the house for the day with the kids? I'd go Ridglea. Especially if it's convenient to your home/work drive.

From what time I've spent hanging out in and now living in Fort Worth over the past 8 years or so it really seems to be a smaller and more clique ish sort of crowd than Dallas. Older money and more and more families that have been here for a long time. And WAY too many Frogs but I guess that's the price you pay for living in a place you otherwise love!

Fair assessment and exactly why I joined Ridglea instead of the other 3. No mention of Mira Vista, but I probably wouldn't consider joining unless I lived in the neighborhood or close proximity.

I will say Ridglea's new GM has greatly increased its value and marketability. It's gaining on RCCC and CCC status......tho Shady is clearly still #1. If you don't care about keeping up with the Joneses and showing up to little league practice with the CCC crest on your styrofoam roadie, Ridglea is your best choice.

Lol I grew up in FW and have been back 2 years now - the Aledo money is a pretty interesting phenomenon. I see lots of Suburbans on Bryant Irvin with the Orange A.

A huge majority of the people in Fort Worth were: born here and never left, came to school at TCU and never left, or were born here and came back. Once you get a taste for it you don't want anything else.

albatross said:

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Lol I grew up in FW and have been back 2 years now - the Aledo money is a pretty interesting phenomenon. I see lots of Suburbans on Bryant Irvin with the Orange A.

A huge majority of the people in Fort Worth were: born here and never left, came to school at TCU and never left, or were born here and came back. Once you get a taste for it you don't want anything else.

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100% the truth. I'm a Dallasite but Fort Worth has fully converted me.

Quote:

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Lol I grew up in FW and have been back 2 years now - the Aledo money is a pretty interesting phenomenon. I see lots of Suburbans on Bryant Irvin with the Orange A.

A huge majority of the people in Fort Worth were: born here and never left, came to school at TCU and never left, or were born here and came back. Once you get a taste for it you don't want anything else.

That's cause the most exciting thing to do in Aledo is go to Parker County Ice House on Friday night

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The 20 months when I moved to Aledo were the worst of my life. Could not have undone that decision fast enough.

What are we talking about in terms of dues at these places? I'd be interested in a Ridgelea junior

southernskies said:

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What are we talking about in terms of dues at these places? I'd be interested in a Ridgelea junior

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$10k if paid in full plus tax then $431/month plus tax. Doesn't include any food or beverage minimums.

And there's a waitlist

Ouch.....maybe not

That's cheap these days. The years of clubs actively recruiting young golfers in the hopes they become full members are over. At least for the time being. I'm sure a bad recession and a decade away from Covid will swing it again. We'll see.

I've been a member at Ridglea for a few years now and love it. We joined because my wife's family were members when she was growing up. We've got friends who are member at other clubs, but Ridglea fits our vibe of upper middle class professionals more so than the others (plus we couldn't fit the others into our budget ). Be aware that initiation fees at all the country clubs are spiking based on market value.

Join the one that's most convenient and that you're willing to pay for. Sounds like that's probably Rivercrest. Arguably the worst of the 3 being discussed for golf so if that's of paramount importance take a harder look at Ridglea or Colonial.

Colonial is primarily 76109/south of Vickery folks, Rivercrest 76107/north of Vickery.

Ridglea pool gets pretty "South Padre spring breaks" on holidays and weekends and has had a few questionable design choices during recent remodels but overall a great club.

Ridglea is my vote. 36 holes of golf is a great selling point. And tons of upper middle class families.

This is why we loved Ridglea as well back in the day; a lot of people like us that didn't have a $20MM trust fund waiting for them (although some did) that were chopping the wood in FW. Made a lot of connections there when I was young with people that ended up in some high places in DFW.

https://www.howmuchisit.org/ridglea-country-club-cost/

Ridglea was less expensive than I thought but still $6000 a year plus $15000 up front. One website had colonial at $100000 up front and same annual fee.

That upfront number is too high (currently) and annual is too low

On June 1, Ridglea initiation will be $40K. All-in monthly dues are ~$740. As mentioned above, there's currently a waitlist. Pretty crazy what Covid did to country club demand.

Does anybody have the current initial cost for a social or full membership at Colonial plus monthly cost?

Junior (age 33 maybe?) was 60k (20 down) with dues around $600 I think. Full was 80k. I believe a full is increasing to 120k this Summer, or maybe after they renovate this next year.

I think social is $20k and $450/m at Colonial right now. I have a buddy who's on the golf waitlist and they'll let you be social while you wait. He's number 50 and has been on since October, started around 62 he said.