On the club topic, what's exactly wrong with the property owner? Is it that he cursed at you the second you walked up and asked about the club, or it is that he didn't do everything in his power to help you when you showed an interest in flying? You have to remember that RC guys tend to be introverts, or at least not people people. Some are quite impatient with guys they think are going to waste their time too. That doesn't mean they aren't willing to help, but it does mean that you have to show yourself to be serious enough about learning to do the hobby to make it worth their time to help you. It also helps if you present yourself as a guy who will respect the rules and customs of the club so that they know you won't be a nuisance later. One of the ways to present yourself as that guy is to ask someone about joining the club. Don't complain about the dues and the AMA membership you'll need, and don't complain about the rules. The rules are there for safety and to keep everyone out of everyone else's way.

I can tell you from some experience being on the other end of this conversation (being the established club guy) that there are enough annoying little punks that show up and take an interest in the hobby that it truly requires some patience to keep being nice to newbies. I still do it anyway, but it's downright common for new pilots to show up and think the club is supposed to drop everything to help them. The same guys break the safety rules and are inconsiderate toward the other pilots, they complain about policies or about events that don't interest them, and such guys often think they are doing the club a favor by paying their membership dues. So, FWIW, it will help a lot to show up and ask someone their name, tell them you are new to the hobby and very interested in learning, don't act like you already have it figured out, and let it be known that you are willing to spend money on dues and AMA membership if it means having a good flying site and some instructors to help you. I think you'll find that the fellows get a lot friendlier after that.