Left: Overview of Shenandoah Country Club Below, from left: 1. Splashpad fun on the pool’s opening day. 2. The new pool area is making a splash. 3. Poolside service. Shenandoah Goes Private BY SARAH KITTLE Shenandoah Country Club, with its lush rolling hills and long history of community building, has in <strong>2021</strong> taken the next logical step to become a private club. With more than three decades of service to more than five generations of Chaldean-Americans, Shenandoah was already exclusive to some extent. Historically, country clubs have been solely the domain of the wealthy – mostly white, older men – the ‘upper echelons of society.’ Those coveted memberships have been an aspiration for some and a birthright for others. But before COVID-19 made its grand entrance, country clubs across the country were failing. According to a National Club Association study in 2014, club memberships had dropped 20% since 1990, and a study by the Pellucid Corporation found that from 2002 to 2016, the number of golfers in the country declined by nearly 10 million. More than 400 American golf courses closed between 2017 and 2019. Conversely, 2019 saw the expansion of Shenandoah - the club, the course, the outdoor pool and dining area. With the COVID pandemic fueling the “work from anywhere” mentality, driving ranges and tee sheets were filled to capacity. In fact, according to Golf Pass, 2020 was the “best year for golf rounds since 1997, when Tiger Woods first broke through at the Masters.” The National Golf Foundation reports that rounds played in the US are up by 50 million year-over-year. This newfound enthusiasm for golf is shaking up the private club business after a decade of oversupply, maturing memberships and club closures. As for Shenandoah, according to club president Raad Kathawa, “The community deserves a private club. We felt for a long time that with the younger generation getting into golf, we needed to make that change.” The benefits of going private? Private courses get less play and more care than public courses, facilities are typically better stocked and staffed and will sometimes include chipping areas and practice bunkers as well as the usual driving range and practice green. Of course, you are playing the same course over and over so there has to be some challenge and intrigue. Private courses also offer speed and serenity. Tee times may be 10 minutes apart rather than the 7-8 minutes for public course, and weekdays and Sunday afternoons are Raad Kathawa usually less congested. “The course is in better repair, “says Kathawa, “Tee times are available, and golf revenue is better.” That may explain why 89% of the members at Shenandoah were in favor of going private. Kathawa states, “We are currently at 260 golf members committed, with another 30 on the waiting list. This exceeds our expectations.” Shenandoah, like many country clubs, offers a pool area (with new splash pad), fitness center and all manner of social activities. Because the club is now private, members have a better opportunity to get to know each other and create familylike bonds. The true cost of membership adds on your restaurant monthly minimum, fees for carts, bag storage, locker and tournaments, miscellaneous assessments, and then there are the huge tips. Club membership starts to approach economic sense, however, when golfers pair up. Two or more avid golfers at the same home address can make a family club membership efficient, even if they have to live at the clubhouse all season. COVID-19 affected businesses everywhere, and Shenandoah was no exception. “It was a major setback,” says Kathawa. “Without banquet earnings, our bread and butter, we were bleeding.” Revenue was down by 70%. They needed to make more revenue on the golf side. “With God’s help, and members paying dues, the PPP (Paycheck Protection Program) money helped us stay afloat,” states Kathawa. Even now, the club suffers with staffing issues. They have had to change operation hours and pay out “a lot of overtime.” Kathawa shares, “We are still short nine line cooks throughout our three kitchens.” The new pool/splashpad/kitchen, a $3 million project that was financed through member’s dues collected, can serve more than 500 diners on any weekend. Members are happy that the poolside services no longer rely on an inside kitchen. New pool rules and a newly instituted dress code are just some of the changes you’ll see at Shenandoah. “We will continue to make changes as the average age of our members decreases,” says Kathawa. PHOTOS BY DANY ASHAKA 30 CHALDEAN NEWS <strong>JULY</strong> <strong>2021</strong>
CHALDEAN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE NOW REGISTERING FOR SPRING AND SUMMER CLASSES ESL 1 Beginner CLASSES START WEEK OF <strong>JULY</strong> 12 MONDAYS 6-9 ESL 2 Intermediate CLASSES START WEEK OF <strong>JULY</strong> 12 TUESDAYS 6-9 ESL for Citizenship CLASSES START WEEK OF APRIL 13 WEDNESDAYS 6-9 Classes meet once per week in person ASSESSMENT AND REGISTRATION NOW OPEN! Call 586-722-7253 or visit chaldeanfoundation.org for more information CHALDEAN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION 3601 15 MILE ROAD, STERLING HEIGHTS, MI 48310 586-722-7253 CHALDEANFOUNDATION.ORG <strong>JULY</strong> <strong>2021</strong> CHALDEAN NEWS 31
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