Inside the elite $33k members club where Ben mastered mixology before Love Is Blind

Ben Mezzenga is shaping up to be one of the more controversial cast members of Love Is Blind season eight so it should not be surprising that he once worked at an elite golfing club in North Oaks, Minnesota.

We’ve learned a lot about Ben in just nine episodes: He’s got an alleged history of mistreating women, he doesn’t vote, he’s a former bartender, and he’s definitely not the same person as Mason Horacek. I brushed off the bartending comment initially, but after he brought it up for the 50th time, I did a little digging.

Here’s the swanky exclusive club he used to work at and we’ll never be able to afford.

Love Is Blind’s Ben used to work at the North Oaks Golf Club

According to his LinkedIn, Ben worked at The North Oaks Golf Club as a server from 2019 to 2020 before moving on to work for tech company Jamf. He’s since started his own real estate company.

As per the its website, the North Oaks Golf Club course was designed by Stanley Thompson in 1951. Though it has seen some changes over the years, including an update from Tom Lehman, the course has always incorporated natural terrain, elevation changes, and native woodlands.

The golf course is obviously the biggest feature of the members club but they do also boast tennis and pickleball programs with professional instruction for all age groups from former state title holder Bryan Biever.

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After working up a sweat in golf – which is strange to think about considering the game is played standing still – members can enjoy a five-star dining experience courtesy of executive chef TJ Rawitzer. The restaurant has a range of options available but special focus is given to its chicken Milanese, grilled Norwegian salmon, filet sliders, and premium prime-grade black Angus beef – yum!

Throughout the year, North Oaks Golf Club hosts a bunch of events for its members including, but not limited to, Easter brunch, turkey bingo, gingerbread workshops, and Halloween parties.

Its membership fees are actually insane

Being the nosey person I am I just had to inquire about a membership despite being thousands of miles away and lacking the financial security I soon discovered was needed to be a member.

As per the official handbook, the cheapest possible membership is the social one. For an initiation fee of $1,5000 and a monthly fee of $211, you’d get access to formal and casual dining rooms, various social events, and tennis courts when it’s in season. If you want access to the rest of the sporting facilities, your bank account is going to look considerably less stacked.

For the golf membership, which also includes the social membership, you’ll have to cough up an initiation fee of $33k and a monthly fee of $1,507. Thankfully, the club does offer quite a discount for under 40s but you’re still expected to pay a $20k initiation fee and the monthly fee to match your age group.

• Ages 36 to 39 – $818
• Ages 32 to 35 – $752
• Ages 27 to 31 – $639
• Ages 21 to 26 – $519

That being said, even once you’ve shelled out your life savings you’re not guaranteed a membership. You need two recommendations from existing members and yearly reviews could still see you kicked to the curb. Gold membership options, which are billed annually separately, include $160 for a full locker, $85 for a half locker, $229 driving range plan, and $132 for club cleaning and storage.

If we all chip in maybe we can play two holes?

Love Is Blind is available on Netflix now. For all the latest Netflix news, drops, quizzes and memes like The Holy Church of Netflix on Facebook. 

Featured image credit: Ben Mezzenga/North Oaks Golf Club