We have a lot of minor OTB tournaments around here, but I get tired of playing the same dozen guys over and over every Saturday. So I drive 3-4 hours each way to spend a weekend at major chess tournaments a few times per year. I like those major tournaments, where I get to play a bunch of new opponents, meet new people, and just immerse myself in chess for the weekend, away from my normal life.
As for starting a club in your area, trying taking a chess set and whatever chess book you're intested in reading to a large coffee shop or bookstore that has a cafe area. Just set up, and sit reading studying your chess book until someone comes along and offers you a game. Show up at the same time and day every week, and let people know that you'll be there. Eventually, you'll meet a few other chess players who will come regularly, and word of mouth will spread it from there. If enough of you want to play rated USCF games, you can discuss starting an official club and one or two of you becoming a tournament director to run the club tournies.
How far do you drive to play in rated chess tournaments? Did you ever travel by jet? If so, what is the longest distance you have traveled to play in a tournament?
To play in a USCF rated tournament, I would need to drive 100 miles one way. Currently, the level of chess activity in my town is pretty similar to that of the North Pole.
I can't find a link on www.uschess.org regarding how to start a chess club for the purposes of offering rated USCF tournaments. However, I did find this regarding starting a chess club for children. Maybe this would be one way to meet other adults who play chess.
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Q: How can I start a scholastic program at my school?
A: You can help start a chess program in several ways. You may approach the school administration or an interested teacher. You might even agree to serve as a volunteer or a coach. Enlisting school, parent, and community support is important to keep the program going. For more information on starting a scholastic chess program in your area, contact the USCF office at: U.S. Chess, P.O. Box 3967, Crossville, TN 38557 for the information packet. You can also call our office at: 931-787-1234.