Caroline Country Club’s tagline, “One of the best kept secrets in Maryland,” might be less of a slogan and more of a statement of part of the reason the nearly 50-year-old club is facing financial hardships. A lack of marketing of the club, combined with a sharp drop in membership and canceled events have dried up its coffers, and Board of Governors President Ralph Starkey and his fellow members are worried the club might not stay afloat much longer.

Starkey said the club is a social, recreational, employment and business asset to the community, and now it needs the community’s help to survive. After holding board of governors meetings open to the membership on February 16 and March 16, two possible solutions are being explored, selling the club or member ownership. Starkey said he is personally working with a local business owner and a partner, who wish to remain anonymous, who have submitted a letter of intent to buy the club. Meanwhile, a group of members is working to raise $1.5-million in equity among themselves to keep the club going.

Starkey said membership peaked in 1994 with 450 members. Today, membership is down to half that. Among the factors Starkey contributes to the membership decline are the economic downturn, stricter drunken driving laws, an aging membership and the club’s failure to attract new, younger members because there are so many other recreational options available today.

June 1 marks the start of a new fiscal year at the club, and the uncertainty of its future has dropped membership renewal by a projected 30 percent. One bright spot in last year’s revenues came on Mondays, the only day of the week the club was open to the public for a $35 greens and cart fee. Starkey said that move brought in $20,000, and Thursday afternoons now have been added to try to bring in more money.