Club Snob

[Alex1975]

Club Snob

I was at Gerrards Cross Golf club today for a wake, I grew up in the Gerrards Cross and Chalfonts so I know of the club very well. I have played it once, many years ago as a very poor golfer and it seemed nice enough. The lady who’s wake it was, was a life time member as was her husband and sons till they left the aria, you would think this would make it feel very comfortable but sadly that was not the case.

As soon as the guests made their way through the bar to the dining room (I was waiting to escort my mother from the car) I could see and hear the members talking behind their hands with disapproving words and looks, it was actually shockingly unsubtle.

I had other things on my mind so moved on and put it out of my mind; it was really just affirming something that was already in my head about the place.

Later as the wake started to thin out and the closer family started to have a little drink and a chat did everyone come out with their own story along the lines of what I had witnessed.

I am aware that the members there really do not feel they need to have outsiders in for functions, and really they don’t, it is a disgustingly wealthy part of the world, I would also imagine that even if the management thought differently there is very little they could do to stop the snobbery.

It is a part of golf that has always turned me off and something I see very little of these days. I feel that most clubs these days are businesses and run as such.

A real shame, rank over.

 

[Imurg]

That doesn't surprise me at all AL.
Being a Wycombe lad, the Beaconsfield/GerrardsX/Seer Green lot always had an air of superiority over the rest of humanity. Maybe it was the excess money most of them had, I don't know but outsiders were always made to feel belittled.
Not all of them were like that by any means, one of my best mates was from there, but the general feeling was like that. I played cricket at all the clubs around there and the snobbery seemed ingrained so it doesn't surprise me that its prevalent in the golf clubs too.

To be honest, many clubs in the BBO region are like that. Many years ago I went to a BBO Council meeting with our CLub Secretary - mainly to partner him in the golf after the meeting. The Council meeting was so boring I don't remember any of it. Come the golf and little Aylesbury Golf Centre came 3rd. All of a sudden prizes were only given to 1st and 2nd place clubs - the 3rd place prize was quickly removed. Can't have a club that isn't "proper" winning now can we.........

It goes on. Can't see there's much we can do about it except remember and don't give these places our money.

 

[Ethan]

I was a member of Gerrards Cross Golf Club for some years, and didn't find it stuck up. They actually have plenty of outside functions, mostly involving playing golf.

I do find the idea of holding a wake at a golf club, any golf club, bizarre, and perhaps the members thought the same. I think you went in with some preconceived ideas.

As for superiority over Wycombe, well, you can hardly blame anyone for that

 

[Imurg]

As for superiority over Wycombe, well, you can hardly blame anyone for that

Watch it Buster!!

 

[USER1999]

I have played matches at GC and always found them very welcoming. I also have a society day booked in March.

It is also a members club, so yes, it is run as a business (isn't every where?), but will be non profit making.

A lot of golf clubs hold wakes, it's good for bar profits. It is often also the logical place to do it, as if the deceased was a member, half of the mourners will also tend to be golf club members.

 

[DCB]

It happens... get over it... it'll happen again no doubt. No club is immune from this sort of thing when 'strangers' are involved

 

[StrangelyBrown]

I do find the idea of holding a wake at a golf club, any golf club, bizarre

Why, my Gran's wake was held at Pumpherston golf club. It was a club that my Grandad had been a member of, he was captain for some years. It seemed fitting for her wake to be there. My Grandad's wake was at Dalmahoy back when it was a golf club rather than a hotel/spa like it is now. He was also captain there for a few years before he died.

When golf is such a part of the family does it not make sense to say farewell there?

 

[ScienceBoy]

If people hold mine at a golf club I sure hope some of the group actually play golf!

Also I really hope my wife wins nearest the pin, she deserves some kind of decanter or tankard... Shame she does play golf or does not drink but who actually uses them?

 

[need_my_wedge]

If people hold mine at a golf club I sure hope some of the group actually play golf!

Put your casket on the first tee, put a tee in your mouth.......oh wait a mo' that's probably a bit bad taste.....

 

[GB72]

Can appreciate the attitude, I was brought up down that way as well (lived between Fulmer and Iver Heath) and there is no shortage of snobbery in the area.

My dad played at Beaconsfield and I used to walk the course with him. In those days the pro was not allowed in the club house unless invited by a member. Would love to get back there and actually play the course I used to walk around as a kid.

 

[Imurg]

I feel a day out looming Greg - just don't change your shoes in the car park

 

[USER1999]

I haven't played Beaconsfield yet. My club play matches against them, but they are popular, and I have never been able to get my name down. By all accounts it is very nice.

 

[GB72]

From what I remember it was a lovely course but this was a fair few years ago.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

We have had a few wakes at our club and the members have no problem. these have included members who have sadly passed away and those of non-golfers. We usually put the dividers up to give them some privacy and let them get on with it. I would like to think club members would have a scrap of decency in them and let the relatives mark the passing in peice and with dignity. Clearly some were missing from the "get a shred of humanity" class that day.