Get Ready for the Future, Private Clubs “Life Time is Coming”
The private club industry should be growing, but it isn’t. Now more and more clubs of all types are being started by business-focused, for-profit organizations, as true private clubs are slow to act. We believe that within the next 10 years, our society will need many more private clubs of all types, and most of them will not have golf.
Where will they come from? Starting a true private club is not easy; in recent history, club growth has come primarily from new residential community developments. But now organizations like Life Time are aggressively growing. They are offering a non-golf, family-recreation focus for year-round, indoor and outdoor use.
In St. Louis alone, Life Time is buying up privately owned, non-golf clubs to expand its already strong presence in serving this prime club marketplace. We can learn something from Life Time clubs and their expansion strategy. They are providing their members with good facilities and programs that society needs and wants at an affordable price.
We in private clubs are seldom innovators. Look at how our fitness/wellness and pickleball programs started, by following the outside, commercial-club world. Now it’s time again to follow the innovators on the commercial side. We need more private clubs that serve the greater population, as Life Time is doing.
We have had our growth in country/golf clubs by serving the wealthy 5%. We now need a private club offering of family recreation and social clubs that serve the other 95% of society.
Let’s work together to make this happen.
About David Dew, CCM, CCE
David brings over 30 years of experience in hospitality and private club management, with a career focused on creating exceptional member experiences within both developer-owned clubs and equity-owned, board-governed environments. A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, David’s expertise spans strategic planning, real estate development, and overseeing transformative capital projects, including golf course construction, clubhouse renovations, and long-term master planning. As a member of two private clubs himself, David brings a unique perspective to his professional expertise, understanding firsthand the expectations and needs of club members. He holds the prestigious Certified Club Manager (CCM) and Certified Chief Executive (CCE) designations, reflecting his deep commitment to professional excellence.
David’s leadership roles have included serving as President and CEO of Lake Toxaway Company, General Manager of coastal communities Belfair and Dewees Island, and as a former Partner & COO of Forest Creek Golf Club in Pinehurst, NC. In addition, David is a North Carolina Real Estate Broker, successfully managing property development projects in luxury private club communities. His involvement with the National Golf Course Owners Association and the National Club Association through the years further highlights his dedication to advancing the private club industry.
Once named Club Manager of the Year in the Carolinas, David’s contributions include serving as President of the Carolinas Chapter of CMAA and a member of its Board of Directors, along with participating on various National Committees. A sought-after thought leader, he has spoken at numerous industry conferences across the country on topics ranging from operational excellence to community engagement.
David is married to his college sweetheart, Angela, and they have two sons. In his free time, he enjoys traveling with his family and serving his community as a volunteer firefighter. He also assists with the Fireman’s Relief Fund and has been extensively engaged in disaster relief efforts across the southeast. David’s passion for leadership, dedication to his community, and commitment to excellence continue to inspire those around him.
