Another Perspective
on Jacaranda West

By Larry Basta, Reader Comment

I was recently sent a copy of a review of the club I belong to by a friend. The heading was Jacaranda West: Public or Private? It's all According to the Season and Their Mood by Joe Bruno.

I have been a member at this club for 5 years and am also on the house committee (responsible for the club house and restaurant) and question some of Mr. Bruno's observations, conclusions and motives.

If Mr. Bruno knows anything about Florida he surely realizes that a good part of the population leaves around April and returns around October. Our membership drops by more than half in the summer season, and contrary to Mr. Bruno's opinion we accept big summer card members so that our expenses are kept at a manageable level, not because we eat and drink elsewhere.

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I hope I am wrong but it appears Mr. Bruno, contrary to his statement wasn't happy about having to pay for his golf. The employee in the pro shop was justified in asking if he had a tee time to make sure he wasn't letting him out too late or when someone else was supposed to go.

This particular employee bends over backwards for members and big summer cards and reciprocal players. The golf pro Rich Whalen is probably the most respected pro in southwest Florida and has been at Jacaranda over 10 years. The pro is an employee and answers to a board, the board decides if a reporter gets to play for free and I don't think it was unreasonable to ask Mr. Bruno to call back.

If he were trying to avoid him, as the article infers he wouldn't have left instructions at the pro shop.

Something Mr. Bruno should know about our staff at Jacaranda is that the average length of employment is over 5 years. These people wouldn't stay if they weren't treated well and enjoyed their work.

The wait staff that he found to be excellent, contrary to his belief do not rely on tips for survival. They receive compensation above what a comparable position pays on the outside, the bartenders he refers to have been with us a total of over 20 years combined.

Mr. Bruno obviously felt he wasn't accorded the treatment a person of his stature warranted, let me remind him we have a waiting list to join and we are never short of big summer card players or players from other clubs.

In closing let me state that I am happy to be a member at Jacaranda and that I was a working stiff for 25 years and would not belong to any club that placed itself and its members above anybody that was allowed to use it's facilities.

Jacaranda West Golf & Country Club
601 Jacaranda Blvd.
Venice, Fl 34293
pro-shop -- 941-4943-2664

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