Changing the course mid competition...

[clubchamp98]

I'm not sure as I've found it much the same everywhere. The Head and Assistant Greenkeeper were actually quite rude when we asked why it was being done during our competition "because it's in the diary for today".

It really is unfair how we have to accept the course for our competitions when it is never the same for the men. We have zero respect as golfers and users of the course. It's beyond rude.

That’s very poor from the GKs they should never be rude.
The old working from a diary thing is well past it’s date.
Ours do it according to the weather forecast
I ask our GKs questions all the time to learn something ,they are always willing to explain what and why they are doing something!
The only time a diary should be used as an excuse is if it’s the only day they can hire certain equipment they need to do the job.
But rudeness is never acceptable to anyone.

 

[chellie]

Cutting back the rough during a ladies comp is another one I've heard of.

 

[AmandaJR]

Sorry, I already said I sympathise with the ladies' situation, but I don't see how giving a factual answer is in any shape being rude.
I can very easily imagine that the question was possibly not asked in the politest of manners by someone already emotionally charged by the situation.

When a greenkeeper has already carried out an agreed and scheduled piece of maintenance, what is the point of somebody not authorised to interfere, and with no knowledge of greenkeeping, questioning the staff on their work?
The query should be directed to the manager and/or greens comittee, the members do not "own" the employees.

"Why did you do this work?"

"Because it was scheduled."

Perfectly acceptable answer in my book but should never have been directly asked in the first place.

I hear what you say but it was the Head Greenkeeper and his Assistant so I should think they run their diary pretty much. I stayed away as I was fizzing but my playing partner who asked was calmer and I don't think stroppy.

It just becomes so frustrating to feel such a lack of respect.

 

[jim8flog]

Cutting back the rough during a ladies comp is another one I've heard of.

Cutting back the rough/ fairway/ mowing the greens is something that has to done every day and should not get postponed just due to a competition.

I remember once, during a comp, in a really horrid lie just beyond a green and the green keeper was waiting for me to get out of the way so he could mow the area.

 

[jim8flog]

Once again major work on the course on a Tuesday. Must just be a coincidence that it's the day of the Ladies Competition. Anyway...today the greens were sanded and swept mid competition. Early groups would have had sand on first 6 or so holes. Mid groups on a couple of holes and everyone else none.

I assume that contravenes the rules of holding a qualifying competition?

One thing I would say and would recommend to your committee. Greens prep weeks go in our diaries. The dates are agreed with the Captain's committee, which has at least two ladies on it, and competitions are scheduled so that they are not in those weeks weeks or organisers are prepared for comps to be played temp greens.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

My wife used to play at a previous club of mine. The greenkeeper there was an old guy, stuck in his ways, not a fan of lady golfers (I wont use the term he used as I would be Fraggered ). His favourite trick, which used to wind my wife up enormously: when cutting fairways he would pull to one side to allow men to take their shots. When women were playing he would keep cutting and hold them up. He once did it to my wife and her friend on all 9 holes of the 9 hole course. She was steaming afterwards. There was no doubt it was deliberate. It is subtle things like this which drain the fun, put people off.

 

[AmandaJR]

My wife used to play at a previous club of mine. The greenkeeper there was an old guy, stuck in his ways, not a fan of lady golfers (I wont use the term he used as I would be Fraggered ). His favourite trick, which used to wind my wife up enormously: when cutting fairways he would pull to one side to allow men to take their shots. When women were playing he would keep cutting and hold them up. He once did it to my wife and her friend on all 9 holes of the 9 hole course. She was steaming afterwards. There was no doubt it was deliberate. It is subtle things like this which drain the fun, put people off.

Well that also happened later in the round. I was in the rough between the 12th and 15th. Greenkeeper sat waiting for the guys to play up 15 and started to mow the rough around the trees just as I addressed the ball. As we currently have Charley Hull, Meghan MacLaren and Becky Brewerton regularly playing I have to wonder if they'd also receive the same level of respect...

 

[rulefan]

I’d suggest that if comp dates are not in the greenkeeper’s diary there’s a bit of an issue.

I agree.
The club committee and club manager need to be reminded that clubs are run for members of all genders

 

[AmandaJR]

I agree.
The club committee and club manager need to be reminded that clubs are run for members of all genders

I think the problem lies with the Director of the Greens Committee. Law unto himself and no time for female golfers...or seniors for that matter!

 

[rulefan]

I think the problem lies with the Director of the Greens Committee. Law unto himself and no time for female golfers...or seniors for that matter!

Raise it in writing at the next AGM

 

[SammmeBee]

Raise it in writing at the next AGM

Ask them tomorrow.....rather than moan on here....?!

 

[AmandaJR]

Messaged the Lady Captain and the Course Director says he knew nothing about the work on the greens so it's down to the head greenkeeper deciding he wanted to do it on Tuesday and stuff anything else. The diary is readily available and this competition (first qualifier of the year for heaven's sake!) clear for them to be aware of.

The General Manager has been notified and it is on the agenda for the next Greens Committee meeting.

Fact is it will change nothing. Not sure why I even still get irritated by such things as to keep expecting better is pointless.

 

[SammmeBee]

How many played in the competition?

 

[AmandaJR]

How many played in the competition?

55

 

[Rlburnside]

I w

Messaged the Lady Captain and the Course Director says he knew nothing about the work on the greens so it's down to the head greenkeeper deciding he wanted to do it on Tuesday and stuff anything else. The diary is readily available and this competition (first qualifier of the year for heaven's sake!) clear for them to be aware of.

The General Manager has been notified and it is on the agenda for the next Greens Committee meeting.

Fact is it will change nothing. Not sure why I even still get irritated by such things as to keep expecting better is pointless.

I would urge you to keep trying to improve things for the ladies at your club however frustrating it is.

It’s a disgrace when there’s discrimination at any level.

Perhaps try and get some of the other 55 ladies to try and give you some support.

 

[upsidedown]

We normally have a 3 day shut down first week in Aug.
Have just done article for newsletter we won't be this year but still need to maintain the greens so week commencing 27th July will be solid tinning and top dressing and have asked for patience whilst we carry out this work. Holes will be punched previous night then sanded mid morning once dew off and swept in as soon as possible.
Doesn't help you just now but could tell them what other clubs are doing ??

 

[need_my_wedge]

How many played in the competition?

If the comp has been in the diary for a while, they shouldn't really be doing maintenance during the comp, regardless of who's playing or how many. Maybe weather affected the work but we all know it wouldn't happen during a men's comp, poor show by the greenkeepers.

 

[AmandaJR]

Thanks all. The level of support on here gives me some hope.

Latest response is that they started at 4.30am to get it done before the Ladies Comp. The level of moisture was too high so the sand didn't brush in and they had to wait. I call total BS on that. If they can't tell the moisture levels are unfit for a job to be done then maybe they need more training.

It is so demoralising to have this level of contempt constantly smack bang in your face. I've fought the battle before but nothing changes and in fact can get worse as the greenkeeper's have the power to get revenge for any complaints made against them!

 

[patricks148]

Messaged the Lady Captain and the Course Director says he knew nothing about the work on the greens so it's down to the head greenkeeper deciding he wanted to do it on Tuesday and stuff anything else. The diary is readily available and this competition (first qualifier of the year for heaven's sake!) clear for them to be aware of.

The General Manager has been notified and it is on the agenda for the next Greens Committee meeting.

Fact is it will change nothing. Not sure why I even still get irritated by such things as to keep expecting better is pointless.

i understand what you are saying, but when would you suggest green staff do maintainance work?

 

[chellie]

i understand what you are saying, but when would you suggest green staff do maintainance work?

During a mens competition then it wouldn't happen again!