For the Travis Tritt album, see Country Club''.

A country club is a private club that offers a variety of recreational sports facilities to its members. The term is mainly used in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia. Two of the most common types of facilities are tennis and golf clubs, although others sports such as polo are seen as well. Country clubs usually provide dining facilities to their members and guests, and frequently host catered events, such as weddings.

Country club membership

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Membership requirements vary greatly among different clubs, but generally a new member must be accepted or invited by current members, and pay a membership fee and monthly or yearly dues. At the most expensive U.S. clubs membership fees can exceed $300,000.

The primary benefits of membership are:

• Access to private facilities (such as a golf course), which are usually better maintained and less crowded than public facilities.
• Inclusion in a social network of fellow members.

Exclusivity and social issues in the United States

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Country clubs can be exclusive organizations. In addition to the fees, some clubs have additional requirements to join, such as limiting membership to those who reside in a particular housing community. In the early 20th century some country clubs refused to admit African Americans, Catholics, and Jews. This led to the formation of many Jewish country clubs including Tam O'Shanter, Wabeek, and Knollwood, or historically Catholic clubs, such as the Charles River Country Club. In the United States, controversy over country clubs is related to the inherent tensions between members' right of free association and the public's right of equal access.

United Kingdom

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In the United Kingdom, most exclusive golf clubs are simply golf clubs, and play a smaller role in their communities than American country clubs; gentlemen's clubs in Britain fill many roles of the country club in the United States. The issue of male-only clubs does, however, sometimes arouse controversy. On an episode of Room 101 in 1995, Jeremy Clarkson successfully argued the case for the condemnation of golf clubs because of the mentality of those who frequent them.

Australia

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Country Clubs exist in multiple forms, including athletic based clubs and golf clubs. Notable examples are the Breakfast Point Country Club in Sydney, Castle Hill Country Club, The Gold Coast Polo & Country Club and the Sanctuary Cove's Country Club.

External links

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Sports culture | Golf clubs and courses | Private clubs | Sports clubs

Country Club