As veteran readers of this site know, I am not a fan of those services that promote specific golf communities in the guise of what looks like "editorial" information.  There are plenty of web sites dense with details about specific golf communities, but almost all their publishers are paid fees for promoting those communities.  Thus, they never compare communities or indicate any negative points.  How objective can they be about their advertisers?

         Every once in a while, though, these promoters offer something that, while clearly in their self-interest, is nevertheless well articulated and thought provoking.  An op ed in the latest (Fall 2009) issue of Ideal Living, published by the organization that conducts the Live South trade shows in Northeast and Midwest cities, is worth considering for anyone wishing to start the next phase in their lives but not quite sure if they should.

         Under the title "The Value of Risk Taking," the piece on page 102 of the magazine compares the "risks" and fears many

of us faced at the birth of our first child.  "Remember...when you and your spouse agonized over having a baby?" the piece asks, and how you worried about expenses, the need for a bigger home, and the anxieties about being able to afford it all.  Yet despite the temptation to put it off, "you had the baby anyhow.  Lo and behold, it all worked out..."

         The article concludes that retirement involves risks not unlike those faced when deciding to have a child, such as not having enough money and the feeling that you are not ready.  But postponing what you want may "rob you of years of new adventure and the emotional re-nourishment that comes with it."  The unnamed author of the article advises that each of us faced with such a decision should consider the risks, have a plan to deal with them and then move forward if the consequences are not "catastrophic" (my word, not the author's).

         "Retirement is a time to awaken and live out your dreams," the piece concludes.  "Risk is just part of the process."

         I think readers of this site are awakening to the prospects of a reinvigorated life.  In recent weeks, I have received a

number of inquiries from couples either in retirement or contemplating it.  They are more seriously than ever considering identifying and moving to their dream homes on the golf course.  If you are one of them, please contact me.  My services are free, customized to your needs, and I never recommend any community I have not visited personally.  I have outstanding contacts throughout the southern U.S., and where I don't, I will do the research to identify the most qualified real estate professional who will work as hard for you as I will.

         Yes, there are always some risks involved with big decisions like relocation.  Honest, timely information can reduce those risks.  Ultimately, the risk of not following your dreams may have longer-lasting consequences.  I look forward to helping you realize your dream of a home on the course.

 

Note:  Ideal-Living is not posted online but the magazine is available, for free, via the magazine's web site .  Make sure you specify that you want the Fall 2009 issue, as the sign-up form indicates Spring 2009.  You will have to provide your name and address and other personal information, so expect follow-up communications such as invitations to Live South trade shows.  This weekend's show is in Reston, VA, followed by shows in Morris County, NJ (9/18 - 20) and Long Island, NY (9/26 - 27).

         I played a round of golf today at The Ranch in Southwick, MA, a golf course I try to return to at least once each season.  Located just north of the Connecticut border and about 40 minutes from my home, the course spans former farmland within view of the foothills of the Berkshire Mountains.  I previously posted a review of The Ranch in this space; please click here to read the golf course review by my son Tim.

         The course was in splendid condition today, the greens medium fast, which took away some of the terror of being above the hole on the large, sloping surfaces.  With the course's workers out on the front nine aerating a few of the fairways, it is possible they did not get around to cutting the greens this morning.  Nevertheless, the greens were as tricky as ever, to read and to putt.  My friend Tim, who plays out of a private club in Connecticut, was impressed by The Ranch and, of course, like most first timers, amazed at the prospect of possibly reaching a 600 yard hole in two

The Ranch gets off to a rousing start, with a par five that can be reached in two easily if you dare to hit beyond the tree on the left to a small portion of fairway.  From there, the carry to the green is about 200 yards, giving you a putt for eagle if you make it, or a drop on the near side of the pond if you don't.

 

shots.  That would be the 16th hole, known as Ski Hill, which travels down

through a succession of hills and plateaus to a flat patch of fairway about 150 yards from the hole.  The hole reminds me somewhat of the finishing two holes at Kapalua Plantation in Hawaii, which are more than 100 yards longer than their pars would suggest because they are severely downhill.  The 16th is worth the price of admission at The Ranch.

         That price of admission is as much as $100, cart with excellent GPS included, which puts The Ranch squarely in the "high-end" daily fee course category.  This is a tough economy for such golf clubs in the northeast, but head golf professional Hope Kelley told me that the number of rounds so far this golf season are up from last year, which says something about the course's reputation locally and within a 90-minute radius.  The course also has more than 200 members but only 60 or so are frequent players, a few of them from the attractive surrounding community of homes.  The homes range in price from around $500,000 to just over $1 million; the larger, and more expensive of them have sweeping views down some of the steeply graded fairways of the golf course.  Except for a section of six homes, the community is gated, yet it really doesn't need to be.  Southwick still retains the feel of rural America, although those who choose to live inside The Ranch community will find Springfield, MA, an easy commute and Hartford, CT, just 45 minutes away.

         An acquaintance of mine recently listed for sale his large, beautiful home at The Ranch (click on the photo for a larger view).  The back deck of the house looks across the green at #11 and down the fairway to the pond beyond.  It features 5 bedrooms and 5 ½ baths with some impressive and functional touches, such as walk-in butler pantry in the custom kitchen, stone fireplace on the lower level, and walkout from that level to the backyard, to sneak in a few putts as the sun is going down.  The lavish master bedroom suite includes radiant heated tile floors in the bath area. 

         My friend has listed the home at $938,850.  If you are interested, click here to send me a note, and I will be pleased to put you in touch with his real estate agent.  By the way, a full membership at The Ranch is just over $3,000 annually.  The golf season runs from April into early November, time enough to play way more than 30 rounds, the break-even point given the green fees.  That is a good deal at a very good golf course.