FROM THE EDITOR

When the book crossed my desk, its subtitle caught my eye:“The most fun places to be at the right time.” Ah, yes, the great adage “timing is everything” proves true once again. According to its cover blurbs, the book, The Fun Also Rises, promised a calendar and recommendations about “how to have the most fun at 50 incredible events in the U.S. and Canada.” Having visited the Harbour Club last summer during the Spoleto Festival USA, I decided to put the book to the test. Indeed, among this Top 50, Spoleto garnered praise as “one of the world’s best interdisciplinary arts parties.” (For more about the Harbour Club, see page 20.)

I started wondering how many other Associate Clubs might serve as traveling ports of call — homes away from home — for members in search of the “rising fun.” So I started counting. The answer: Of the “50 incredible events,” 36 are in cities with Associate Clubs.

I sharpened my pencil and booted up the computer. Among the destinations on my itinerary of fun: the Memphis in May Barbecue (Crescent Club); the Indy 500 (Indianapolis Skyline Club); Summerfest in Milwaukee (Le Club); Fourth of July in Philadelphia (Pyramid Club); Boston Harborfest (Boston College Club); the Bumbershoot arts festival in Seattle (Columbia Tower Club); Denver’s Great American Beer Festival (Metropolitan Club); Guavaween in Tampa (pick from the Centre Club, Hunter’s Green CountryClub, Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club); National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas (Canyon Gate Country Club). And so on.

I then composed a memo:“Dear Boss … 50 incredible events … research … Associate Clubs … see you soon.” Shortly thereafter, however, I found myself directed to check the definition of “vicarious” in the dictionary.

That’s when I discovered my “poster” members for travel: John and Joanne Witous of Desert Falls Country Club near Palm Springs, California. They go everywhere, and everywhere they go they find an Associate Club. The couple has visited more than 30 clubs worldwide to conduct business meetings, private lunches, golf tournaments, and related activities. “We’ve had some really good parties,” Joanne told me in a phone conversation. Sometimes, they just feel like hitting the road for fun and they turn to the pages of “The Guide.”

So here’s the challenge of the issue: Can you beat the Witous’ record of visits? Drop me a card, fax, or e-mail (privateclubs@clubcorp.com). Tell me about your travels to Associate Clubs. Remember, I’m vacationing vicariously this summer. Send details.

Patricia Baldwin
Editor In Chief