"Like a relic of an earlier time, the club stands for so much of what Mr. Chávez is against."

Thanks to all who sent in Simon Romero's front page New York Times update on the possible demise of Venezuela's Caracas Country Club at the hands of Hugo Chavez's government.

But while many of its members chafe against the government’s attempts to exert greater control over the economy, some have seen their fortunes grow through quiet deals with Mr. Chávez’s government.

Adding to the rub, the club’s ties to one of Mr. Chávez’s favorite foils, the United States, are so deep that a former American ambassador, C. Allan Stewart, died of a heart attack while golfing on its greens and the names of its founders, including a cadre of American oilmen, are inscribed on its walls.

After this uneasy coexistence, Mr. Chávez called on this city’s golf courses last month to “put their hand on their hearts” to assist or house flood evacuees. If not, he said in a not-so-veiled threat, “we’ll put their hand there for them.”