Hi Dubfore,
You'll have to forgive my relative lack of experience, at least when it comes to the world of club ownership, but I'm guessing you view your members as your property; as something you own?
The poaching analogy is an interesting one, and you are clearly not alone on that one. We were recently accused by the "boss man" of the Peoples Club too of "poaching".
I've always found the idea of poaching a curious one, where a land owner claims ownership of everything that traverses over or through it. Yet when that little fish swims to the extremities of the boundary, he once more becomes free, as nature intended.
I find it hard to believe that when WGT set up this game with its system of country clubs that they had a feudalistic model in mind. I suspect they had a free market economy in mind; granting all who play the same rights, freedoms and responsibilities as anyone else; including club owners.
My local council doesn't lay claim to every visitor who comes to Cheltenham to see its lovely buildings and shop in its interesting emporiums. They "grant" freedom of movement to all. They recognise that, in order to attract people to the town, (which benefits business) they need to lay on fabulous events like horse racing, literature festivals, science festivals etc
If your pool of fish are happy where they are, they will not swim away; they'll stay put. We are not plundering your pond, we're merely sending invites to players telling them that the water is clearer, the food more abundant and the entertainment more lively elsewhere.
We certainly do not target clubs, but if the odd member of yours is choosing to swim away, perhaps you should look at what you offer? And let's be honest, if all club owners upped their game somewhat, just think how much happier all those members would be.
Just a thought
Onwards and upwards
Roddy