[Grammar] its members

[Ashiuhto]

Which of the following sentences is acceptable?

1. The chess club is so interesting that it has over eighty members.
2. The chess club is so interesting that its members are over eighty persons.

 

[5jj]

The first is fine; the second isn't.

 

[emsr2d2]

You could say "The chess club is so popular that its members number over eighty".