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Westwood Country Club – Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of this FAQ?

This FAQ is provided as a quick reference; please refer to the Westwood Directory & Handbook for details and for the most current annual version of Club materials.

How am I informed of club activities?

When do I receive the Club bill and when is it due?
Bills are e-mailed or mailed during the first few business days of each month and are due by the 21st of the month, after which date a 1.5% late fee is added. New members are automatically enrolled in the electronic statement system and all members are encouraged to receive their statements via e-mail.

Is my initiation fee refundable if I decide to leave the Club?
No. Upon acceptance for membership, the initiation fee is non-refundable.

Is there an installment payment plan for the initiation fee?
There is an optional installment plan for full-privilege (golf) members, with the first installment payment due with the application, and subsequent installment payments due annually on the anniversary date of initial application, as set by the Board at the time of application. A promissory note will be signed for the installment payments. Please see the Membership Director or General Manager for details.

There is no installment plan for Social or Clubhouse memberships.

What happens to my Westwood membership if I move?
The Club has a Non-Resident membership class. If a member moves his/her principle residence more than 100 miles from the Clubhouse, he/she can opt to pay an annual fee to remain a Non-Resident Member. The Bylaws detail the provisions of this membership category. There is a one-year minimum requirement to remain in this classification.

Who is allowed to vote?
Golf, Associate Golf, Golf Senior, Legacy Golf, and those Social Members admitted to membership in the Club on or before March 31, 2001 are voting Members. These Members must be active and in good standing at the time a vote is conducted. Other classes of membership are considered non-voting members, as outlined in the Bylaws of Westwood Country Club, Article VII on Membership.

What is the acceptance process?
Westwood's new member acceptance process includes the application for membership, follow-up discussion with the applicant's sponsors, and a prospective member interview with the Membership Committee. After the interview, the Membership Committee makes a recommendation to the Board of Governors, which then acts on the Committee's recommendation. The Board usually meets the last week of each month. Membership, assuming acceptance, starts the first of the following month.

Are there Club "rules"?
Yes. Westwood Country Club has a Code of Conduct and rules which pertain to the different areas of the Club. Details are provided in the Member Directory and Handbook. Westwood is a private club and there is an expectation for appropriate decorum which is intended to enhance the enjoyment of the Club for all members.

Is there a dress code?
Yes, there is a dress code specific to the various areas of the club such as dining, golf, tennis, and the pool. Refer to the Member Directory and Handbook or call directly to that department for dress code details.

What happens if a member violates the rules?
The "Member" is responsible for the actions and conduct of him/herself, his/her dependents, children and guests. Improper conduct may warrant a warning and further action, as deemed necessary. There is a Disciplinary Committee that addresses allegations of misconduct. Details regarding disciplinary procedures are provided in the Member Directory and Handbook.

Are cell phones allowed inside the Clubhouse?
The use of cell phones and other electronic equipment such as PDA's, laptops, etc., is prohibited on the upper level of the Clubhouse and adjoining balconies except for the main Lobby, the area adjacent to the Rotunda Exit Stairs, and the Pub. Devices should be turned off or placed in vibrate mode when in restricted areas. Should you receive a call, please step out of any restricted area before taking the call.

Is Wi-Fi access available?
Wireless internet is available for use in the Men's Lounge, Ladies Lounge, Pub, deck area of the pool and the lounge area of the tennis facility, as well as in the Boardroom and the Ballroom which can serve as venues for business meetings.

May I use the Westwood Membership roster to send information regarding charity events, personal business, notices of community activities, and other informative topics?
No, the Westwood membership directory and any associated Club distribution lists are strictly private. As such, the Club prohibits the use of its Membership roster for promotions, political reasons, solicitations, or for personal business related mailings.

Are babysitters, nannies and other caregivers considered dependents of a Member?
No, nannies and other caregivers are not dependents and do not have the privileges of a member. They are, however, granted access to the Club's facilities while they are performing their duties as a caregiver. It is the member's responsibility to inform babysitters, nannies and caregivers of the appropriate behavior, rules and dress codes while they are at the Club and to emphasize that the children under their care also need to adhere to the appropriate rules and that the children are to be supervised at all times by the caregiver.

Westwood requests that Members submit a letter identifying long term caregivers who would need access to the Club to care for the Member's dependent.

Clubhouse

What is meant by the "Food Minimum"?
All members, with the exception of specified classes (such as Non-Resident and Emeritus Members) are obligated for a minimum amount of food and beverage spending each fiscal year – the annual "Food Minimum". Food minimums are set by the Board and vary by membership category. Alcoholic beverages do not apply toward the minimum. The Food Minimum is prorated for members who join during the fiscal year. Should you have any unspent minimum; the balance will be billed on your September 30 statement.

Do I tip the wait staff?
A 17% service charge is automatically added to all food and beverage charges. A 20% service charge is automatically added for catered events. You may always leave an additional gratuity if you so desire.

What are the hours of operation?
Hours of operation vary by area and by time of year. Please see the Member Directory and Handbook, the Westwood Today site, or the Westwood View for the most current information. Generally, the clubhouse dining areas are open six days a week and closed on Mondays, except holidays. The office, fitness center, and locker rooms are open on Mondays and the pro shops are also open on Mondays during the regularly scheduled season.

Is there day-care?
The Club has a "Kids Club" or child-minding service for use when members are on the premises. Additionally, the Kids Club runs a summer camp for ten (10) weeks from late June into August.

Is there a book club?
Yes, there is currently a member-organized book club that meets monthly.

Is card playing permitted?
Yes, in designated areas in the Men's Grille and Ladies Lounge or at Club-sponsored events or member-organized functions.

May my children use the Club without my being present?
Children under the age of fourteen are to be accompanied by a parent or caregiver while using the Clubhouse dining areas. Please see the Westwood House Rules section of the Member Directory and Handbook for details. Different age restrictions apply for the fitness center, the locker rooms, and for unaccompanied pool use. Please refer to the appropriate rules sections for these details.

May we bring our own wine?
Yes, but a corkage fee will apply. There is a Westwood Wine Club that provides wine locker storage for personal favorites you would like to have on hand. Wine Club members enjoy special pricing on wine purchases and the corkage fee is half the regular corkage fee.

Golf

When are juniors allowed to play golf?
Junior golfers are the dependents of golf members who are under 19 years of age. Their use of the golf facilities and access to the golf course are dependent on their age. Please see the "Westwood Country Club Golf Rules" in the Member Directory and Handbook or speak with the professional staff in the Golf Pro Shop regarding the use of practice facilities, playing times and etiquette expectations for juniors.

May junior golfers use the driving range?
Yes, although there are specified time periods when they are not to use the practice facilities, including the range, without the permission of the golf professional on duty. In addition, adults always have preference and juniors shall yield the practice facilities to any waiting adult.

May children practice golf on the putting green and chipping green?
Yes, but children must be supervised by an adult when using the practice facilities, and are not permitted to use these areas for any purpose other than putting or chipping. Play on the putting or chipping green or in the sand bunker is not appropriate nor safe and strictly prohibited.

May I practice chipping/pitching balls onto the putting green?
No. Chipping and pitching are not permitted on the putting green. Chipping practice should be contained to the chipping green.

As a Social Member on the Waiting List for Golf, what are my golfing privileges?
Social members on the wait list have limited access to the course. In season (3/1 to 11/30), a wait list member, his/her spouse, and children may play on Mondays (except holidays) and one (1) other time during the month with a full privilege member. Half-priced greens fees and regular cart fees apply to that play. The member may play on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday in a week when a holiday falls on the Monday or there is a golf outing on that Monday. Out of season, wait list members may play any time at one half the regular greens fee.

Are the golf practice facilities available to Social Members on the Waiting List for Golf?
Yes. A member who is on the waiting list for full golf membership and is a Social member waiting Golf, has access to the driving range, chipping and putting greens. An annual fee is charged to all Golf members and Social waiting Golf members for the practice facilities.

Are children of Social Members on the waiting list for Golf eligible to participate in the junior golf program?
Wait list members' families do not have access to the junior golf program. The professional staff will provide instruction to all members and their dependants individually. Normal instructional fees apply.

Are golf lessons available to Social Members on the Waiting list for Golf?
Yes. Individual and group lessons are available to any member or dependant. Please call or visit the golf pro shop for details.

When is a Golf Member's spouse allowed to play golf?
For spouses of Golf, Associate Golf, Legacy Golf, and Golf Senior members, starting tee times begin at 10:30am on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. Mondays through Thursdays, spouses may play any time the course is available. On Fridays, tee times between 12:00pm and 2:00pm are set aside for Members; if no Member is ready to play and the first hole is clear through the green, spouses may tee off at the discretion of the Starter or golf professional on duty.

Do I tip the golf staff?
Tipping is at the member's discretion and greatly appreciated by the bag staff.

Are there restrictions for where pull-carts can go?
Yes. Pull carts should be pulled around the perimeter of the greens, including outside the greenside bunkers. A pull cart should not be pulled between the green and the greenside bunker. Pull carts should not be on the tee boxes.

Are electric golf carts permitted to go directly up to the green?
No. Electric golf carts should be kept off the green and 25 feet distance from the bunkers. Check with the Pro Shop if you have a handicap flag. Other cart rules are displayed on the windshield of each electric cart. Carts are restricted to cart path only on designated holes.

Tennis

What type of court surfaces does Westwood have?
Westwood has six Deco Turf courts (covered) and four Har-Tru clay courts (uncovered).

What are the hours of operation?
The tennis facility opens at 7:30am and closes at 10:00pm.

Does Westwood have tennis bubbles?
Yes. Two tennis bubbles house six Deco Turf hard courts and are year-round facilities.

How do I purchase indoor bubble contract time?
Requests for new contract time are taken on September 1st of each year. If more than one member requests the same contract time, a lottery will be held to determine which member may purchase that time. Once contract time is purchased, it may be renewed annually. You may also call up to a week ahead for a particular court and pay the rate of $22.00 per hour. Or you may call 48 hours in advance and any open court is FREE. (Cancellation charges apply).

May I bring a guest to play tennis?
Members are welcome to bring guests to the tennis courts. Our guest fees are $12.00 per day plus any court time charges.

What kinds of tennis lessons are available?
Westwood offers a wide range of professional tennis instruction:
Private, Semi-private and Group lessons for adults
Private, Semi-private and Group lessons for children
Junior clinics
Summer Tennis Camp for juniors of all ages and abilities

Pool

When is the pool open?
The pool opens the weekend before Memorial Day and generally closes a weekend or two after Labor Day. Weekday swimming is limited when the local public schools are in session.

Is the pool heated?
Yes, in the early season and at the end of the season as temperatures require.

Does Westwood have a swim team?
Yes. The Club team is named the Whirlwinds and it competes in the Dominion Country Club League (DCCL). All Social and golf members' families are eligible. Please check the website or call the office for more details. The schedule is in the Member Directory and Handbook.

Are swim lessons available?
Yes. Call the pool or check the website for times and rates.

May I bring a guest?
Yes. Guests are welcome, fees apply.Fitness

What is the age requirement to use the Westwood Fitness Center?
The minimum age as an individual is 16 years of age. However, teens from the age of 13 to 15 can work out with a Personal Trainer and can receive a certification permitting them to use the Fitness Center when they are accompanied by a parent.

Are Westwood's personal training rates competitive?
Yes. Please check with the fitness staff.

What are the Fitness Center's hours of operation?
Monday through Thursday: 6am to 8pm
Friday: 6am to 7pm
Saturday: 7am to 6pm
Sunday: 8am to 4pm

Are group exercise classes available?
Yes, there is a wide array of constantly evolving classes, from yoga and Pilates to kickboxing and jujitsu. The group exercise schedule is posted on the Westwood Today website, in the Westwood View, and in the fitness facility. There is a drop in charge per class or a monthly rate for unlimited classes.

Does the Fitness Center offer massage therapy?
Yes. There is a Certified Massage Therapist/ Licensed Acupuncturist available by appointment, fees apply.