Florida
Not even the ultra-rich can get into South Florida's most exclusive country clubs
Not even the ultra-rich can get into South Florida’s most exclusive country clubs. Thanks to the influx of high net worth households moving from California, New York, and other wealthy enclaves in recent years, demand for memberships in elite country clubs in Boca Raton, Miami Beach, Jupiter, and Palm Beach has sky-rocketed, area real estate agents say.
So what’s the key to getting off the years-long waitlists? Historically, it’s entailed waiting for a slot to open while ensuring your golf stroke is good enough for these elite clubs. But for individuals feeling impatient, there is another way: tapping into a new wave of luxury golfing communities that are starting to dominate the area social scene. More of these developments are springing up in South Florida to meet the demand of ultra-wealthy transplants who want to socialize with other VCs and CEOs but don’t yet have the clout to join the area’s more traditional clubs.
“The only way for new people to get in the club is if people pass away or the cost continues to increase so much that somebody doesn’t want to be a member anymore,” Devin Kay, a local real estate agent with Douglas Elliman, tells Fortune. “It’s become a gigantic problem for people moving down here.”
Courtesy of Shell Bay
Admittance to the top spots is invitation-only, and that can be an obstacle for newcomers arriving from distant places like Boston or Chicago. Kay, who is used to closing deals on the green, can help with that. A former pro golfer, Kay is also a member of the storied La Gorce Country Club in Miami Beach and the Shell Bay Club, a new development in Hallandale Beach.
“Joining has become next to impossible,” Kay says of the more traditional country clubs, adding that the newer golf communities “have become tremendously popular now because they give people real estate and get them into the club.”
At the more traditional La Gorce—one of the most exclusive country clubs in South Florida—members must be sponsored by five other current members, and there is a $1 million fee to join, says Kay (the clubs don’t publicly advertise their membership prices), plus a years-long waitlist.
“If you try to join a club now, the list does not go by the order you requested to join. It goes by the order of who they want to get in,” says Gary Pohrer, a former pro-golfer who works alongside Kay at Douglas Elliman. “The waitlist is indefinite unless you meet the right people.”
Meanwhile, buying a property in a new development like Shell Bay, where condos start at $2 million, can get owners on the greens straight away with a discounted membership. Golfers can also pay $1.4 million outright to join (though given the current cap, the club is only accepting new members who buy a residence at this time, Kay says). For most Americans, spending well over a million for a luxury condo or a golf membership is out of the question, but among the hedge fund managers and techies flocking to South Florida, there is no shortage of demand.
If the membership prices seem steep—most clubs cost in the hundreds of thousands to join, plus yearly dues and minimum spends—they reflect what the ultra wealthy are willing to pay. Many of the top South Florida clubs have doubled or tripled their fees since the pandemic thanks to demand.
For those willing to purchase a condo in one of the new developments, Kay notes they get more for their membership than access to the golf club. In addition to a 9-hole and 18-hole golf course, Shell Bay boasts tennis and pickleball courts, a yacht club with a 48-slip private marina, and a spa. Residents can charter a private helicopter for a fishing trip in the Bahamas. It’s everything the ultra wealthy need all in one place.
The new communities solve one of the ultra-rich’s biggest problems, says Kay. At least until they fill up, too.
The finish line is right around the corner for the sweepstakes to land Lane Kiffin.
More News: Alabama Tries Coaching Shakeup Before Auburn Game
Florida dropped out of the marathon early. Reports surfaced on Friday that Kiffin pulled out of consideration for the Gators job. He’s set to choose between LSU and Ole Miss on Saturday.
Kiffin had been Florida’s top target after Billy Napier was fired on Oct. 19. However, communication broke down between Kiffin and the Gators in recent days.
More News: Oregon Coach a ‘Prime’ Candidate for Newly Opened College Football Job
Florida has a couple of backup options for Kiffin. Georgia Tech head coach Brent Key is someone to keep an eye on.
On Saturday, the big name for Florida is Jon Sumrall. The Tulane head coach had been linked to Auburn for weeks, but he appears to be out of consideration for the job with the Tigers.
Multiple reports indicate that Sumrall is the top option for Florida.
Sumrall has gone 41-11 during his stints at Troy and Tulane. His resume is similar to that of Napier when Florida hired him in 2021 after going 40-12 at Louisiana.
Florida fans on social media appeared upset with athletic director Scott Stricklin for fumbling the bag on Kiffin and then considering hiring a Group of 5 coach as Napier’s replacement. Some want Stricklin to be fired before he can hire Sumrall.
“Good morning, Gator Nation It is a great day to fire Scott Stricklin,” wrote a fan.
“Scott Stricklin is 1-for-7 on coaching hires. $31M+ wasted on buyouts. Elite coaches don’t want the job. Time for a change,” argued a fan.
“Scott Striklin is the Billy Napier of athletic directors,” posted another.
“If Scott Stricklin had any sense, Lincoln Riley would be headed to Florida, not Jon Sumrall. Unfortunately, it appears he paid Billy Napier $21 million to leave so he could hire Billy Napier 2.0. The Gators continue to be unserious about football,” argued a poster.
“We don’t want Jon Sumrall as our Head Coach, nor Scott Stricklin as our AD!” suggested a fan.
“So how can we get Scott Stricklin fired if majority think he sucks at his job and ruining the football program? We would have been great again with Kiffin. If he goes after Sumrall he should be fired on the spot,” wrote another.
It’ll be interesting to see if Florida continues to go after Stricklin amid the backlash. Texas A&M had a similar situation with Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops in 2023 before the Aggies hired Mike Elko away from Duke.
For more on the NCAA, head to Newsweek Sports.
STARKVILLE — Ole Miss football coach Lane Kiffin is going to try to be a regular dad for a bit.
Then he’ll make the choice currently tearing him apart.
Ole Miss won one of the most important Egg Bowls in school history on Nov. 28. And yet, the next 24 hours may matter more to Ole Miss than what happened at Davis Wade Stadium.
The No. 6 Rebels beat the Bulldogs 38-19. It’s the third consecutive Egg Bowl win for Ole Miss (11-1, 7-1 SEC), cements the Rebels as first-time CFP participants and erases MSU’s (5-7, 1-7) path to a bowl game.
The positive momentum in Oxford could be shattered in one day. It’s up to Kiffin, who said postgame he needs to decide whether to depart for LSU or Florida on Nov. 29. That’s been Ole Miss athletic director Keith Carter’s deadline since last week.
“These are hard decisions,” Kiffin said. “You guys have them all the time. You guys (reporters) have to make decisions about jobs you take, where you move. All those things. We get paid a lot so I know ours is under a different spotlight and scrutiny but, you know, a lot of people that are critical of it are the same people that do it all the time.”
Lane Kiffin’s schedule before picking between Ole Miss, LSU or Florida
Kiffin was headed straight from Starkville to Tupelo. In his words, the most important game of his day kicks off at 7 p.m.
Kiffin’s son, Knox, is starting for Oxford High in the MHSAA Class 7A state football. The game starts at 7 p.m.
Kiffin said he lives a day-to-day life. He’ll watch Knox play and leave the decision about his future until later. Sometime after that Kiffin will have to choose what offer to take.
LSU is a big brand with a recent national championship. Florida is where his coaching idol Steve Spurrier became a star, although reports indicated that the Gators are prepared to search elsewhere. Ole Miss is home.
Kiffin will become one of the sports highest-paid coaches regardless. Maybe $13 million, maybe closer to $15 million.
He knows he can’t be just another dad watching his son in Tupelo. Other dads don’t have million-dollar salaries. Other dads don’t generate headlines with their family takes trips to Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Gainesville, Florida.
“In other professions it’s a little easier because you get to go to places,” Kiffin said. “You go for a week, see all the schools. The neighborhood and stuff. Then you make the decision. Our jobs are more difficult that way, but I’m not complaining about it.”
Kiffin said he’s found himself missing his father, Monte, who died in 2024. He posted a picture of him on social media on Nov. 27 with he caption “Hero.” He wishes he could ask his dad for advice for his looming decision.
Kiffin doesn’t waver from his early morning hot yoga. It’s likely one of the last things he’ll before his big decision. He has long said it’s the hardest thing he does each day. Until Nov. 21, when he told the Clarion Ledger that it hasn’t been lately.
“Yeah, usually,” Kiffin said Nov. 21. “For most people. Except when you’ve had days like mine lately.”
Sam Hutchens covers Ole Miss for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at Shutchens@gannett.com or reach him on X at @Sam_Hutchens_
Florida
Chaminade-Madonna vs. True North Classical Academy: Where to watch live Florida high school football playoffs (11/28/2025)
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The road to the 1A state championship runs through Hollywood this Friday night as the upstart True North Classical Academy Titans (10-2) travel to face the perennial powerhouse Chaminade-Madonna Lions (9-2) in a much-anticipated regional final matchup at Zappone Field.
The Titans enter riding high after an explosive 62-28 rout of Saint Andrew’s in last week’s semifinals, showcasing an offense firing on all cylinders at the perfect time.
Meanwhile, the host Lions dispatched Edison 47-18 in their semifinal contest, continuing their quest for another state title to add to their decorated trophy case.
With both teams demonstrating dominant offensive performances in their previous outings, this clash promises to be a high-scoring affair that will test True North’s Cinderella story against Chaminade-Madonna’s championship pedigree in what could be the most exciting 1A playoff game of the season.
Opening kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. ET on Friday, November 28 with a live TV broadcast on NFHS Network.
• WATCH: Chaminade-Madonna vs. True North Classical Academy football is livestreaming on NFHS Network
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How to watch Chaminade-Madonna vs. True North Classical Academy football livestream
What: True North Classical Academy looks to continue Cinderella run against powerhouse Chaminade-Madonna in 1A regional final
When: Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. ET on Friday, November 28
Where: Zappone Field | Hollywood, Florida
Watch live: Watch Chaminade-Madonna vs. True North Classical Academy live on the NFHS Network
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