1) How can a private club hope to remain solvent with 150 members? Our club would quickly go bankrupt with such a low number. Private clubs in Richmond are struggling for new members, and I would guess that Federal Club needs at least double what they have now. Those odds are long in this economy.

2) How does the membership committee deal with the very real prospect of a large assessment when pitching the course to new members?

3) How much are the current members willing to devalue their club by going the semi-private route? Public play ultimately means fewer tee times reserved for members and the introduction of golfers who have zero vested interest in maintaining the course. Public play also brings in golfers who play far slower because their skill level is generally lower and their ready-play etiquette lacking. There are fine semi-privates in Richmond, but there are differences. I have played painful five hour rounds at semi-privates.

4) Even if the debts are settled, how does the Federal Club deal with their ongoing cash flow problem? February brought in almost zero dollars at most courses because of the snow. Mother Nature may have blessed our fair city with several years of mild winters recently, but she also reminded us this year that Virginia is not Georgia. Winter golf in Richmond is always a hit-or-miss proposition depending on the weather.

Best of luck to the Federal Club. But truly, the market is demonstrating that there are too many private courses in Richmond. Perhaps a few need to go full-time public or even close outright.