Application For Membership

CANDIDATE AUTHORIZATION TO DISCLOSE AND RELEASE INFORMATION

I hereby authorize the disclosure and release of information to Marin Country Club for the purpose of investigating my character, reputation, personal characteristics, and financial wherewithal. I certify that, to the best of my knowledge, the foregoing information I am submitting is correct. I understand that any misrepresentation shall be cause for denial of consideration for Membership, or for termination of Membership if discovered after Membership acceptance.  I further understand that in this case, fees will not be refunded.

I understand, if approved for Membership, that I will have 30 days, from the date of notification of approval, to make full payment of the applicable Initiation Fee.

If elected to Membership, I agree to abide by the Bylaws and Rules & Policies of Marin Country Club, as set forth by the Membership and revised from time to time by the Board of Directors. If I resign my Proprietary Membership, the Club retains a 100% Transfer Fee and requires a twelve (12) month written notice.

WAIVER AND RELEASE

I (We) understand and acknowledge that there are inherent risks involved in the game of golf, meaning the dangers or conditions which are an integral part of the game, including, but not limited to: (i) the possibility of suffering injury to myself, my guests, or my property due to stray and errant golf balls; (ii) certain hazards such as surface conditions; and (iii)the potential of a participant or spectator to act in a negligent manner that may contribute injury to the participant, spectator, or others. Accordingly, I (We) hereby release, discharge and agree to hold harmless and indemnify Marin Country Club, and their predecessors-in-interest, principals, members, officers, directors, committee members, agents, employees, assigns, legal representatives, executors, heirs and successors (collectively, the “released parties”) from any and all claims, demands, debts, liabilities, accounts, obligations, costs, expenses, liens, loss of uses and services, actions and causes of action of every kind and nature whatsoever, whether now known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected, which I, (We) or my guests, now have, own or hold, or at any time heretofore ever had, owned or held, or could, shall or may hereafter have, own or hold against the released parties, which arise out of, or are related to, any of the inherent risks of the game of golf. I (We) further agree that the foregoing release, discharge and indemnification shall be binding upon my heirs and legal representatives.

PHOTOGRAPHY AND SOCIAL MEDIA RELEASE

From time to time, photos of members and guests enjoying events, programs and amenities at our facility may be shared on social media and in club communications and displays. Although every effort is made to ensure that only the highest quality, most flattering images are shared, all requests to remove an image from a post or display will be honored. When posting to and sharing from the club’s social media channels, please be respectful of the privacy of all members, guests, and associates. Before posting any negative experience or comments to the club’s social media channels or an online review site, please contact the general manager so that concerns can immediately be addressed.

AUTHORIZATION FOR BACKGROUND AND CREDIT CHECK

I (We) hereby consent to and authorize an investigation be made into our (my) character, credit, reputation and such other information as may be required by Marin Country Club. Such consent and authorization includes obtaining information from any person, firm, company, government and law enforcement agency, school, courts of all jurisdictions, credit agencies and former employers having control of information and documents pertaining to me (us). This authorization will be valid for this and any future requests for information.

I request to be placed on the wait list for the above designated Membership category.  I understand and accept the terms of the Marin Country Club wait list policy as outlined below.

The Candidate fee will apply towards the Intiation Fee when I join and is non-refundable except as noted below:

• Should the application be denied by the Board or Management, the candidate fee will be refunded within 30 days.
• Initiation Fees will not be locked and will be charged at the prevailing rate when a Membership becomes available.
• If the Initiation Fee increases while I am on the wait list, I may request to rescind my application and the candidate fee will be refunded.

Priority on the wait lists as follows:

Candidates with priority will be added to the top of the list, which will move all other candidates down accordingly.

1. Current RSP Members in good standing that would like to upgrade.
2. Immediate family* of a current MCC Member.  (*defined as parent, adult child or sibling)
3. New candidates for Membership in order of date submitted.
4. If a membership in any category is not accepted when offered, the candidate moves to the end of the existing category waitlist and loses any priority based on current membership or family relationship status.

If my application is approved by the Board, I agree to schedule my welcome meeting and pay the balance of the Initiation fee within three weeks.

The Board and Management retain the right to:

• Grant or decline any application.
• Amend or adjust any or all policies.
• Review and change the financial obligation of any waitlisted prospect.
• Revise the conditions of the waitlist agreement.

 

Pay by Credit Card

I hereby acknowledge receipt of the Club’s current Membership Bylaws, Rules and Policies.  My signature verifies that I agree to review and to be bound by these Bylaws, Rules and Policies and future amendments thereto, as instituted by the Board of Directors commencing upon payment of my initiation fee.

MCC Rules

MCC Policies

MCC Bylaws

Fiscal Year

The Club operates on a Fiscal Year occurring from October 1st – September 30th. Annual Operating Budgets, as well as Annual Capital Budgets, are reviewed by the Finance Committee and ultimately approved by the Board of Directors in advance of the fiscal year.  The Board of Directors works with Club Management to determine if an increase in our Operating Dues is required in advance of a fiscal year. Management recommends to the Board of Directors the dues increase request based upon the known information at the time in our business for the upcoming fiscal year with a goal of providing the Club the best opportunity to break even and avoid a deficit at year-end, which requires an Operating Assessment. The Club targets September 1st as the approximate date of a communication regarding the dues level necessary for the upcoming fiscal year operating budget.

Operating Budget

Operating Dues: “Operating Dues” shall mean the monthly sum payable to the Club which is periodically fixed in an amount determined by the Board, in its sole and absolute discretion, to cover the Club’s Operating Expenses.

On an annual basis the Club builds our operating budget.  As part of the budget process, Dues rates are determined to allow the best opportunity for the Club to break even. Increases are typically communicated 30 days in advance of the start of the fiscal year.  Dues are subject to change and may increase annually if Club management and the Board of Directors determine that costs are increasing at a greater rate than anticipated revenues. Dues increases historically have ranged from 1 – 5% annually but may increase at a higher rate if conditions exist that cause such a decision to be made.

Liability for Assessments – Operating Budget Net Operating Income (N.O.I.) Shortfall: A Member who was a Member on the voting date of record for an Assessment called for by the Board and approved by the Membership has the responsibility to pay the total amount of the Assessment unless the Assessment was structured to allow termination of the obligation to pay the balance when the Membership has been resigned, relinquished or sold.

Capital Budget

Capital Dues: “Capital Dues” shall mean that monthly sum, not otherwise included within the scope of Operating Dues, payable to the Club, which is periodically fixed in an amount determined by the Board in its sole and absolute discretion. Unless approved by a majority of the Members who are entitled to vote in accordance with the Bylaws, the amount of the monthly Capital Dues shall not exceed an amount equal to fifteen percent (15%) of the Operating Dues for the same period.

Capital Call: The Board shall have the right to charge all Members, except those specifically excluded, an additional capital contribution once in a calendar year without approval by the Members, provided such Capital Call does not exceed one month’s of Capital Dues and Operating Dues.

Membership Approval Required for Large Capital Expenditures: No single obligation, indebtedness or expenditure in excess of the sum of four hundred  thousand dollars ($400,000) shall be authorized, incurred or paid by the Board without a vote of the Members. The $400,000 limit will be increased or decreased by an amount equal to the annual change in the CPI for All Urban Consumers, All Items, SF-Oakland-San Jose as published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This calculation will be made each February 1 with February 1, 2016 serving as the base year.

Long Range Project Funding

Marin Country Club primarily uses two mechanisms to fund capital projects: Capital Dues or Assessments.

At MCC, Capital Dues fund ongoing capital improvements of existing assets that we look to replace as they reach the end of their useful life. These items are fixed assets such as HVAC, kitchen equipment, floor coverings, and the property’s overall furniture, fixtures and equipment. Management presents a budget for capital expenditures on an annual basis, and the Board of Directors approves the Annual Capital Budget.  The Capital Budget is funded by the Membership’s ongoing monthly Capital Dues (currently set at 15% of our Operating Dues), as well as new Membership Initiation Fees and Transfer Fees from the sales of Memberships (pre-2012) that retained equity and are due proceeds from the sale of their Membership.  

Many country clubs fund their major capital projects (items greater than $400k in cost at MCC) by charging their Members an Assessment. For example, at MCC the Clubhouse construction of 2003 and Golf Course Master Plan of 2007 were both funded by a lump sum Assessment of our Membership at the time.  

As of 2017, we have generally departed from lump-sum Assessments as our primary mechanism to fund major capital projects. Today, we utilize what we refer to as “Pay-As-You-Go-Assessments.”  How this differs from a lump-sum Assessment is we take the total project cost and draw those funds down from our Line of Credit (LOC) with Mechanics Bank, and we charge every Member their pro-rata share of the project on a monthly basis.  This charge will show up on your monthly Member statement as a separate line item – “Mechanics Line of Credit”.

Mechanics Bank Line of Credit

In 2017, the Club entered into an agreement with Mechanics Bank for a Line of Credit (LOC) borrowing facility.  The borrowing capacity was capped at $8.75M but only $2,775,000 was drawn. The terms of the LOC were a 3-year, interest-only construction period from March 2017 – March 2020. Beginning in April 2020, the amount drawn down on the LOC became fully amortized over 14 years at a 5.25% interest rate. In 2021 the Club was able to re-negotiate the interest rate down to 4%.  From April 2020 – November 2030, the Club and the collective Membership will be paying off this debt incurred at an interest rate of 4%. The Club made a commitment to the Membership at the time of entering into the Mechanics Bank Line of Credit that a vote of the Membership would be required in advance of the Club drawing $1 from the LOC. Therefore, each project for which the Club intends to utilize the LOC to fund must be approved by the majority of the eligible Members by a ballot process as outlined in the MCC Bylaws.  The Club also reserves the right to extend the draw down period with our Mechanics LOC if Long Range Plan Projects that the Membership approves via a vote require a window of funding that extends beyond March of 2020.

The current Mechanics Bank line item on the monthly statement (approximate):

Regular Proprietary (RP): $60

Regular Social Proprietary (RSP): $30

Young Professional:  $30

Other Membership Categories will see corresponding costs related to their obligation % based off of RP Members being 100%.

This amount will be recalculated annually and is subject to change. Dependent upon the number of Members subject to an Assessment, the per Member obligation may increase or decline. We will calculate this cost once per year and only adjust upwards if either of these two conditions exists:

1)    We have a decrease in the number of assessable Members

2)    The Club draws additional monies from the LOC.

The Mechanics Bank LOC line item will remain on Member statements until November of 2030. If you discontinue your Membership at Marin Country Club prior to that date, your financial obligation to the LOC will cease.  If additional projects are approved by the collective Membership, they will be funded by the Mechanics Bank LOC either in part or entirely by this mechanism.

Special Capital Projects

In December 2024, the membership voted YES to move forward with three vital capital projects aimed at enhancing the Club's facilities and overall Member experience. These projects are an investment beyond our standard annual capital expenses. 

The Projects

• Renovating the 50+ year-old Facilities Maintenance Center (FMC) - essential to safeguard valuable equipment, protect employees and support the long-term operations of the Club.
• Remodeling the Upper-Level of the Clubhouse to reflect Ventanas' style - the outdated look and condition of these spaces are significantly impacting our ability to book events.
• Upgrading our Driving Range with Toptracer - a structure featuring a ball-tracking safety system that alerts players and management if a ball goes beyond the boundaries, helping to enhance safety for our nearby neighbors. It will also provide protection from sun and rain, along with Toptracer technology for an interactive practice area.

 The Financial Overview

• $6 million line of credit (Mechanics Bank) to finance the projects over a 10-year period.
• During the two-year drawdown period, interest will be accrued, with no cost to Members. Members will not incur any expenses until the projects are completed in 2 years or less.
• Once the drawdown period is concluded, Members will have a line item added to their monthly statements.
  • Estimated $120/mo. for Full Golf Members
    • Breakdown of $88 for the FMC renovation, $26 for the Clubhouse Upper-Level Remodel, and $6 for the Driving Range Upgrade
  • Estimated $60/mo. for Social Members
  • Estimated $60-$120/mo. for IM Members based on tier
• Members will be offered a discounted prepayment option, to be determined at a future date.

Hole-In-One Policy

All Members, with the exception of JNP, contribute $3.50 to the monthly hole in one insurance fund. The fund provides for a cap of $1,000 (0ne Thousand Dollars) per qualifying hole-in-one to pay for one drink per member on the following conditions:

A qualifying “Ace” must be made during a round of at least 9 holes at MCC by a member and witnessed by another adult member of the club or guest. Member must present the scorecard to the Pro Shop at the conclusion of the round and the Pro Shop must verify the hole in one. Drinks paid for by the fund will be served only on the same day as the qualifying hole-in-one. No drinks pursuant to the fund will be served until the member arrives at Ventanas. The serving of drinks paid for by the fund ends when all members present have received a drink or the $1,000 cap is reached, whichever occurs first. Drinks paid for by the fund are limited to well drinks and one per member. Members who order premium drinks in excess of the assigned value in 6. below will be charged the excess. Well drinks shall consist of a value of up to $18 or such higher amount determined by the Food & Beverage Director and General Manager at any time. An annual event celebrating all qualifying hole-in-one members will be held for the benefit of all club members using the balance of the fund.
 

Employee Holiday Fund

The Annual Employee Holiday Fund is the traditional, collective, and exceptionally well-received way in which the Membership expresses their gratitude to the people who make Marin Country Club such a special place - through year-round personal service and thoughtful attention to individuals, families, and guests. It is also one of the few ways to directly thank and reward those employees who Members seldom, if ever, encounter. While most of us have frequent interactions with front-line employees who make tee times, serve meals and drinks, or tend to locker rooms and tennis courts, there are many others behind the scenes equally important to a quality Club experience. This includes the golf course grounds crew, the kitchen staff and, among others, the facilities maintenance team. It’s their often-unseen work that plays an integral role in the Club’s ability to run effectively and efficiently. The Holiday Fund depends on Member contributions to acknowledge the efforts of more than 90 Club employees. While the amount contributed is a personal decision, the Board recommends a donation of $300 per Membership. Notice will be sent out in November of each year.  Unless a Member opts out when they receive this notice, a $175 donation will be placed on the Members’ November 30 statements.