It seems every club has stated that they are the "best club in Southwest Florida," what qualities separate The Forest Country Club?
36-holes - It is important in Southwest Florida to have two championship golf courses to play and to offer tee times seven days a week. Members, their families and guests, play a lot of golf at TFCC. The membership goal is 575. Golf course accessibility is a meaningful attribute to a club membership. Family and friends are also easily accommodated with no restrictions. The Forest currently just has a little over 500 golfing members.
Member-owned and operated - Forest Members have owned and operated The Club for 20 years, it is meaningful to know "this is who and what we are" with no questions as to what will happen in the future in regard to club operation and fee schedules.
Fiscally sound - TFCC has a successful history of sound club management. TFCC today is a debt free club.
Golf operation - Beyond accessibility to play two well-maintained golf courses, there is not a club in the area that provides a better playing experience for members, their families and guests. From the time you arrive at The Club, you will be greeted by name and experience a first-class golf operation. Since July 1, 2009, 39 more valued members were added to The Forest Roster.

1. I have membership interest, what joining fees are required upon submittal of my application?
You could not have picked a better time to ask this question. A Private Sale Program is underway. This is where a resigned member has the opportunity to offer their membership certificate at a lower price than the club's published joining fee. The resigned members inform the club of their asking fee and we will than offer to you the lowest priced certificate available. The club adds a $6,000 transfer fee that is earmarked toward the Bear Course Renovation project slated for the summer of 2010.
All of the certificates will be in one of the Equity Assignment categories (golf, tennis or social), they are non-equity.
The membership joining process will be executed through e-mail only.
The Private Sale will supersede the existing membership fee structure.
When the Private Sale is completed, joining fees will return to $32,000 or $20,000.
The $32,000 is an equity membership option of which you receive 54% of whatever the current posted equity is at the time of your refund (I bet you read that sentence again. Further equity breakdown information can be found in question #3).
And recently the most popular option, the $20,000 Equity Assignment, this is non-equity whereby members transfer their equity back to the club when deciding to leave. The membership is identical to a full equity membership. Other than transferring the equity back to the club, Equity and Equity Assignment membership privileges remain the same.

2. I won't be using The Club for at least a few more years, is there an opportunity to join now and pay lesser dues?
Yes, you may choose to join now as an Equity Social or Tennis Member in an effort to benefit from the Private Sale Program. This option reduces your dues exposure by joining as an Equity Assignment Social or Tennis Member (summer golf privileges only) and paying $840 annual social dues and $1,220 annual tennis dues, in addition to the below Prepay Gratuity and Capital Fees. This has been a prudent option for new members wanting to take advantage of an attractive joining program that provides limited access to The Club with the option to upgrade the membership at any time.
Through the Private Sale, 1/3 of the new members chose this option with the intent to upgrade to the golf category anytime next year and some in 5 years.
Equity Assignment Category Privileges
Equity Assignment Golf: Year-round Golf, Social, Tennis and Fitness
Equity Assignment Social: Year-round Social and Fitness, Summer Golf (May 1 - Oct. 31), 6 plays with member in season, guest days not included in the count
Equity Assignment Tennis: Year-round Tennis, Social and Fitness, Summer Golf (May 1 - Oct. 31), 6 plays with member in season, guest days not included in the count

3. Beside the joining fee, what other required costs are associated with being an Equity Assignment Golf, Tennis or Social Member at TFCC?
Golf dues for 2010 are $8,000 with bi-annual payments (June and December) Social and Tennis dues for 2010 are $840 and $1,220 respectfully
Service Charge that is paid in quarterly payments of $125 (This is a fee that is in lieu of gratuity, it is a pre-paid gratuity program)
$110 monthly capital fee ($60 of the $110 represents a regular capital fee for clubhouse and golf course improvements while the remaining $50 represents a special Bear Course renovation project capital fee)
Locker is $100 per year
One-time orientation fee with personal trainer for Fitness Center is $50
Cart fee is $22 per person, per 18 holes
There is no food minimum, no club storage or driving range fees
Summary of annual exposure (dues, taxes, capital fees, pre-pay gratuities whereby statements will be received semi-annually, quarterly and monthly for your convenience):
Golf - $10,330, Social- $2,740 and Tennis - $3,143 and Lee Executive Member is $5,400 (remember for all categories that $500 of this annual total is a fee that covers all food and beverage gratuity)

4. What percentage of the $32,000 joining fee represents the initiation and what percentage represents the equity?
Sixty percent (60%) of the joining fee represents equity - $19,200 and forty percent (40%) represents initiation fee - $12,800. Refundability is deemed ninety percent (90%) of the sixty percent (60%) equity.

5. When you are an Equity Golf Member, what access do you have to amenities other than the golf course?
As an Equity Golf Member, you have access to everything ... full golf, social, tennis and fitness privileges.

6. I reside in Lee County and I am under the age of 50, are there any executive programs offered to my family?
The Lee Executive Membership is ideal for area professionals, age 25-49 who are Lee County residents. Executive Members also have been offered the opportunity to participate in the current Private Sale Membership Drive. Additionally, payment of dues and capital fees are reduced 50% until their 51 Birthday. Dues also are paid on a monthly basis. Minimal golf restrictions apply Jan. 1-March 31, otherwise the membership privileges are the same as a full golf membership.

7. In comparison to area clubs are your fees high or low?
The joining fee at TFCC remains a value: the average joining fee for a private club in Southwest Florida is in the range of $70,000-$80,000 equity and $20,000-$40,000 non-equity. The majority of these facilities are 18 holes. The dues at TFCC are average for this area. If you compare the multi- course facilities, we are on the lower side in the dues category.

8. If a family member does not play golf or tennis, what activities/amenities are available for them to enjoy?
Although TFCC is recognized as the "golf club" in town, it also is well recognized for its extensive social schedule. In addition to monthly themed food events, dancing and holiday celebrations, a non-golfer can fill the day with participation in groups such as bridge, book, art, garden, cooking and floral classes and/or clubs. Forest Members also enjoy cruises, shopping excursions and baseball games. Another popular spot is the 1,500 square-foot Fitness Center. This season water aerobics and yoga classes will be held on an ongoing basis.
A brand new club was formed to gather all women members on a monthly basis, The Girlfriends Club. This group is a combination of golfers and non-golfers. From this group several breakout groups have since formed including scrapbooking, quilting, knitting, choral, soup kitchen, digital photography, Shanghai and a larger singles group now gathers regularly.

9. What is the process for reserving tee times and are there playing restrictions?
We use Foretees for your golf reservations. You may request a tee time 14 days in advance with the requests being processed 7 days prior to the tee time. All tee times are booked online, you can see the tee sheets just as the pro shop can. Of course, you can always just call too. On our busiest days, one course will be host to an 8:30 AM and 1:00 PM shotguns while the opposite course hosts tee times on 9-minute intervals. Members have enjoyed this format for many years.

10. If you bring guests to the club often, what restrictions or rates can be expected?
So happy you asked this question. This past year we offered a new program that was received with tremendous enthusiasm. Our new Hospitality Voucher Program offers you the opportunity purchase, before the end of 2009, a booklet with 10 guest fees for $500. This guest fee cost is reduced $25 per guest. Cart fees are still required, $22. There are no restrictions on when guests can play, just that the Member accompanies their guests when using the vouchers. The vouchers are valid October 1 through April 30, and on April 30 unused vouchers will expire.

11. Are there groups that play on a regular basis?
Members rarely reserve tee times for their regular play. In addition to Sunday Mixers and weekly Men and Ladies Days, members enjoy the option of playing in one or more groups that play anywhere from one day a week to seven days a week. These varied groups are comprised of all different handicap levels and welcome new member participation. These Forest groups are one of the best features of the club.

12. Is walking permitted?
Only a few private courses in the area permit walking, we are fortunate to be among them. In season, walking is restricted to after 2:30 PM and during the summer months after 10:00 AM. Pull carts are available in the golf shop. Walking is great at The Forest as the green-to-tee-distance is short. Also, members formed a walking group whereby every Wednesday the couples walk 9-holes and then enjoy Family Night at The Club as a group. We also continue to try to get a limited caddie program off the ground.

13. What privileges does my family have at The Club?
The Equity/Equity Assignment Memberships provide husband, wife and unmarried children under 21 years of age living at home full membership privileges (golf, tennis, fitness and social). Children enrolled in college up to the age of 25 also have full membership privileges. Immediate Family other than the aforementioned are parents, adult children, son and daughter in-laws, brothers/sisters, brothers-in-Iaw/sisters-in-Iaw and grandchildren. These individuals pay half of the posted green fee when they play golf at TFCC. Members also can make arrangements for these individuals to enjoy The Club in their absence by just notifying The Club of their date and length of stay.

14. If family guests are not immediate family, aunt/uncle, cousin, what are their privileges at The Club?
They do have the privilege of enjoying The Club with the member and also in the member's absence. Again, the member only needs to notify staff of their date and length of stay.

15. What privileges do friends and business associates have at The Club?
If friends and business associates are visiting for less than a week, again, just notification of their date and length of stay is necessary and they will have access to the golf courses and Club. If the length of stay is longer than a week, we will establish a temporary membership for these individuals (see #29).

16. Where do the Forest members reside?
Just over 50% of the overall membership resides inside the community gates. Members who have joined The Club in the past seven years reflect a new trend; approximately 60% of members possess residency outside the community gates. Members reside anywhere from North Naples to Sanibel Island. There is no such thing as a non-resident member at TFCC. We have found members are driving an average of 15 to 45 minutes to enjoy Forest golf.

17. What percentage of the membership is seasonal vs. year-round residents?
Seventy percent of the membership has a second home in the north. Again, a trend over the past four years reflects more year-round residents vs. seasonal.

18. What is the assessment history of The Club?
There have been four assessments at TFCC. The first was a $1,500 assessment in 1992, the second was in the amount of $2,700 for the Bobcat Course and clubhouse renovation in 1997 and the third was $3,600 for the Bear Course renovation, Gumbo Limbo Terrace Restaurant, Fitness Center, driving range expansion and other miscellaneous projects in 1999. In 2004, there was a $500 tree replacement assessment after Hurricane Charlie took down 500 trees on the golf courses and this past year Hurricane Wilma took down another 400 trees resulting in a $300 assessment for removal and replacement costs.

19. Where are the initiation fees allocated?
Initiation fees are allocated in one of three ways, reduce any outstanding long term debt, fund approved capital projects or are placed in a separate capital reserve fund for future projects.

20. Do you allow non-member social events?
The Northern and Southern Pines Dining Rooms combine to be one of the largest banquet rooms in the area. The rule of thumb is as long as there is not a member event at The Club, the rooms will be utilized for outside events. Many couples celebrate their wedding day at TFCC.

21. What is the process in resigning from The Club and receiving the current equity?
Notification of a resignation is received in writing and the Member's name is placed on a resignation list. On January 1 of the following year the dues, capital fees and service charges are no longer paid. The process is for every new member that joins, a resigned member is paid out their equity entitlement. After two new member sales, the club does redeem a retired Life Member Certificate. A Member resigning today, based on the sales history, would receive their equity proceeds in 3-4 years. Equity payout can be expedited if the membership is sold in conjunction with the Member's property, regardless of where the property is located. In this case, Members then go to the top of the list. The transfer of the Membership can be Equity or Equity Assignment from an Equity Member. If the seller possesses an Equity Assignment Membership, it can not be transferred.

22. Is the membership transferable?
In the case of death, the membership will automatically transfer to the surviving spouse or it may be transferred to another family member with no associated transfer fee. The membership may also be transferred to another family member while both husband and wife are living with a 10% of the equity transfer fee. This has become more popular in the past few years, what a great trend to see family assuming memberships at The Forest, this is not common at Florida clubs.

23. When did the members become the owners of The Club and what can you tell me about the Board of Directors?
The Members purchased The Club from the Developer David Swor in 1989. Mr. Swor went on to be President for two years and he remains an active Member at The Club today. This was not your every day developer/member transition. There are nine Board of Directors who each serve three-year terms. Every year three new Board Members are elected by the Membership.

24. What is a Life Member?
Equity Golf Members in good standing with a minimum of 10 years of membership who at the age of 75 and above may relinquish their equity and receive a reduced dues schedule.

25. Are there any programs in place to assist new members in becoming acclimated to The Club?
TFCC will make every effort to transition a new member into the various club activities. An Ambassador Committee will invite you to large-scale member functions and introduce you to fellow new members and longtime members. Additionally, two New Member Receptions are held, one in the fall and one in the spring. Department Managers will check in regularly during your first year of membership to assure your social and golf participation.

26. What is the average age of the membership?
The average age of the overall membership is 59. The average age of members joining in the past six years is 54. This 30-year old club is well underway in a healthy membership transition. Between 2005 and 2006, 45% of new members were under age 55.

27. How many members are employed vs. retired?
Interestingly enough, of the overall membership 50% are employed but of the new members joining in the past five years 70% are employed, many with a retirement date within one to 10 years.

28. How long has management been employed at The Forest?
The Forest Country Club is fortunate to have a General Manager that has served as the Controller for eight years and the General Manager for eight years, sixteen years total. The Tennis Professional has been at TFCC for eleven years, the Greens Superintendent seven years, the Membership Marketing Manager and Food and Beverage Director for ten years and a Ladies Locker Room Manager for 23 years!

29. In an effort to be sure that TFCC is the right fit for our family, is there an opportunity to experience the club prior to joining?
A Tenant Guest Program is in place that allows you to enjoy The Club for no more than four months of the year. The program establishes a temporary membership for you whereby you can participate in all social, tennis and golf events with the exception of major championships. The fees start at $500 along with a $500 deposit. Tee times can be reserved 2-days in advance and a $50 green fee and $22 cart fee applies. To enjoy this program you must make arrangements with a golf member to rent his/her property, either inside or outside the community gates. You can find a listing of these golf-member owned properties on The Forest's web site.

30. Is there an on site Real Estate office within The Forest Country Club Community?
Yes, The Forest Real Estate is located at 6000 Forest Blvd. The Forest Real Estate specializes in selling property only within The Forest community. The on-site office is open for your convenience 7 days a week. Whether your interest is buying or selling property within The Forest, please contact our office. Call 239- 482-1300, or Fax 239-482-3633 or E-mail us at ForestRE@AOL.com

31. What type of housing is available within The Forest?
Single family homes, villas and condominiums. There are 12 different condominium complexes, each offering unique stylings providing a wide variety of size and prices. Many available properties are shown here on our web site. Please contact The Forest Real Estate for any additional information about available properties that are for sale.

32. What is the average cost of a home or condominium?
Most homes range in price from $399,000 to $1,425,000 depending upon size, age and location. Most condos range from $174,000 to $500,000 again depending upon size, age and location. Contact The Forest Real Estate office for more information.

33. How many total residences will the Forest have?
300 single family homes and 550 condominiums and/or villas.

34. What type of security does the Forest have?
The Forest has two gated entrances, and the Forest is patrolled by its own security force.

35. Is The Forest in a convenient location?
Yes, the Forest is located in South Fort Myers and is 15 minutes from the Southwest Florida International Airport, and grocery shopping, shopping centers, banks, restaurants, the fire station, schools and hospitals are all close by.

The established "community" environment is the most important trait of The Club. You will not have to be told that TFCC has friendly members; you, your family and friends will feel it.