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The following two Letters to the Editor were received this week by The Citizen after our coverage here and here of the recent price hike at Invited’s Golf Clubs of Peachtree City and Newnan. Besides these letters, many members have stopped me in the public to express their frustration about having to pay significantly more to receive less value.
Some local folks have referred to this as a “first world problem” in their comments. That may be, however, we’ve been told that over 4,000 local families belong to the Invited Clubs. Some of those are individuals, but many are families. That’s as many as 10K-15K local people who this pricing impacts. So please read what two more of them have to say, including one who was told off by Invited’s CEO.
Invited Members have until December 15 to decide what they are going to do about their membership level. If they don’t MAKE a choice, they will be stuck paying a higher rate for the same services they got last year. And Invited has written that they’ll charge fees for members who change their level later.
-Ellie White-Stevens, Editor of The Citizen
Bait and Switch on Pricing Leads to Canceled Membership
Dear Editor,
It was of great interest to read your most recent article on the Clubs of PTC. I was recently victimized by rejoining the club after 10 years of absence. Previously I was a member for 15 years. I joined the club starting Nov 1, 2025, paid $100 initiation fee and was told my cost would be $340 per month for 12 months. Access to 6 courses, anytime of day. I was told I would be grandfathered in due to joining prior to Oct. 1, 2025. I also have emails stating the same.
Nov 15, 2025 an email went out to all members about the new program and recommendations to convert your membership to a similar level. Mine went from $340 to $525 and limited my access to other clubs previously with access.
I contacted the person who signed me up. (director of memberships), another one in that Dept and the VP of Member Experiences. None of them addressed my issue and just told me that’s the way it is now. All promised return calls but I heard nothing. I reached out to the CEO of Invited Clubs, David Pillsbury via email from Irving, TX. I thought he should know what’s going on in PTC. I explained clearly my side of being advised 15 days into my grandfathered membership all it was now being ignored. He ignored it too and rather decided to respond with critical personal insults and ended it with “I am glad you’re not a member anymore” once I announced my resignation. I mentioned I was lied to and it seems like fraud. I guess those words were too close to home.
After reading your article several times it was mentioned no one from the club would respond to questions or agree to be interviewed. Just like me, Ignored. Maybe there is something being hidden by this corporation.
Regards,
Chuck Goedtke
Peachtree City
30-Year Member Discusses Other Financial Impacts of Invited’s Policies
This past week there was an article sharing the views from Bill Butler and Kevin McDonough on the Golf Club Fee Changes being implemented at the Golf Courses in our Community. I wanted to expound on some of the financial impacts being applied to its long-time members for your subscribers.
If you use a Golf Cart at the Club, it costs you. $ 24.50 plus tax of $ 1.72 or a fee of $ 26.22.
If you use your own Golf Cart it costs you. $ 21.00 plus tax of $ 1.47 or a fee of $ 22.47.
Think about this for a minute. You have your own Golf Cart; you pay for the maintenance, insurance, the electricity and permits. Why would the Course upcharge a fee to those providing their own transportation? You might acquiesce and believe the fee structure goes to support Cart Path Improvements and enhancements. That has not been the case and remains a sore subject to many members.
Recent Fee Structures have been raised to give other members a feel of a Private Club Approach.
The Fee Structure to play Whitewater, Braelinn, Flat Creek and White Oak was $485 month before tax. The New Structure requires you pay $625 month before Tax. When asked if course improvements would be factored into this increase of 29%. No response was provided. For years complaints on the Braelinn Greens have been raised and during the Summer Months play has dwindled due to the loss of grass coverage and disease during this time frame. You would think that trans parity and open communication would need to occur to make the Club Members better understand why increases are being implemented.
Members are charged a Monthly Food Fee of $30.00, whether you use it or not. Might it be far more effective that if the Fee is not used a credit of $30.00 be applied to your monthly statement? After a Round of Golf, You and Your Playing Partners venture into the Bar Area and order some refreshments of the Alcohol Nature. A 16 oz Domestic Beer will cost you $5.00, $0.90 for a service charge and tax of $0.42, or $6.32 glass. Keep in mind that service charge is not the Tip for your Server. If you desire to show your appreciation, those extra dollars are up and above what the base charges. Let me share a comparison for those reading this. If you frequent the Miller Ale House a 23 oz Domestic Beer is $4.99, tax is the same at $0.42, but no service charge, and you get an orange slice for your Blue Moon. Something to think about as you patronize your local Golf Club or Establishment.
The fee structures shared are all being implemented or have been in place. The extra expense that is borne by its members is something to apply a pencil and calculator to see if the additional monies are warranted for the opportunities afforded by these Clubs. I have been a member for over 30 years and am considering all the above before the deadline of December 15th, 2025. I am not a complainer and realize costs have increased, but the increases have been poorly communicated and some of the unusual fees are questionable. I would hope that The Citizen continues to explore these concerns shared by your subscribers.
Respectively,
Scott Richardson
Peachtree City
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