Lazer is right about his club and region and nation, he knows he is there and Gozo is not... Gozo needs to understand what the northern Europe countries call a club is WAY different than what the area near Gozo calls a club. USA people do not know until they travel to Europe of hear from someone just there how it is.
Gozo's kind of club is a more social gathering that may or may not fund itself.
Lazer's kinda club gets to use government facilities... sometimes on a time schedule shared with other sports (A kinda lower level club in Wiesbaden Germany gets a few hours a couple nights a week in the big city gym in a 1/4 section on the end) and sometimes gets its own big room as part of a larger govt building for sport. (W. Amager BTK south of Copenhagen is one)
The euro lower and middle clubs get subsidized by govt a few ways and charge a relative small amount for members of the club (just the building, parking, and overhead like electric, water and sewer are very big money when added up) and often have a few coaches... who are not the blind leading blind. The big time clubs have a local or natl company or three funding them and other income ways to pay pro players.
Why did I go into all that? Gozo clearly did not have a hint of a clue (but he was brave to show it where others are scared silent)
Pips or no pips can be a function of local or regional culture too. Might be a function of local or natl availability of players or teachers.
USA has a lot, because there is a big culture among the ole geeeeezer crowd (yeah, I spelled it with 5 E's... ha, 7, made you all look)... and yeah, I called some old age threshold such a name... I can do that, I pretty much am a card carrying member of said group I just called that.
Korea has a lot (especially women, as there were so many players who did well, there was a lot of encouragement and teaching and it was a way for an unathletic or athletic auntie to trouble the men (aunties never change attitude, eh?)
In San Diego, there is a mid 70s? retired engineer who will attach FH or BH with LPs he do not care what spin you gave him... just you dare land it on his side he going for it. he famous, prolly worldwide and he is in the top ten posters (like me) at OOAK, a pips forum in Australia. (Yes, I talk a LOT there too and defend defenders inclinations to pip it out)