County Golf Champs = miserable day...

[AmandaJR]

So today was my first County Foursomes and my 3rd County Comp. 2 of the 3 have been the most miserable days on a golf course due to the attitude of our playing partners. The pair today had to be the most ignorant, rude and downright obnoxious women it has ever been my misfortune to meet. Barely a civil word over 36 holes of golf. Never a "good shot" was heard and never a "thanks" when my playing partner and I congratulated them on their good ones.

Now I know it's a competition and we're part of the opposition but for heavens sake we're not playing for mega bucks. If pros can at least be civil to each other coming down the stretch for a major than surely players at this level can do the same. I have wondered since if it was some form of mind games but keep coming back to the fact that they were just horrid, nasty. rude and stupidly ultra competitive individuals.

We beat them by 11 shots and that only made me feel a bit better. Also won 2nd nett and a nice little prize but I'm left thinking if this is what the step up in standard of golf competition means then it aint for me...

Ooh I'm so mad and disenchanted with the whole thing. My Dad brought me up too well not to behave towards them in a similar way and also not to give them what for, but it wasn't easy.

 

[mcbroon]

Sorry to read that, Amanda. I don't know what's wrong with some people, you'd think you were playing for millions, like you say.

The best way to deal with it is to do exactly what you did - be courteous and pleasant, and then stuff them by as many shots as you can. Well played :whoo:

 

[FairwayDodger]

Amanda don't let a few idiots put you off; not all players are like that at this level. I've played our county champs a couple of times now, plus the Scottish and I've played with/against county players in a few other comps and (so far) I haven't encountered this at all. Understandably the level of chat varies depending on the individual and the nature of the comp but I've always enjoyed it.

Keep at it!

 

[AmandaJR]

Amanda don't let a few idiots put you off; not all players are like that at this level. I've played our county champs a couple of times now, plus the Scottish and I've played with/against county players in a few other comps and (so far) I haven't encountered this at all. Understandably the level of chat varies depending on the individual and the nature of the comp but I've always enjoyed it.

Keep at it!

Thanks Karen. I don't expect chit chat (although it can be nice occasionally) but just decent manners - which would apply on the golf course or any walk of life. I am seething at having to spend 36 holes on a nice course, in a nice competition, with two such nasty, rude women...

Mad mad mad!!

What did make me feel a bit better was another player afterwards asking how I'd got on bearing in mind the two I was out with. Not just me then!

 

[AmandaJR]

Sorry to read that, Amanda. I don't know what's wrong with some people, you'd think you were playing for millions, like you say.

The best way to deal with it is to do exactly what you did - be courteous and pleasant, and then stuff them by as many shots as you can. Well played :whoo:

Thanks. Beating them was some result from the day!

 

[bobmac]

Amanda don't let a few idiots put you off; not all players are like that at this level. I've played our county champs a couple of times now, plus the Scottish and I've played with/against county players in a few other comps and (so far) I haven't encountered this at all. Understandably the level of chat varies depending on the individual and the nature of the comp but I've always enjoyed it.

Keep at it!

Dont know who she is but she talks a lot of sense.

Just remember why you play golf....for fun

 

[percy_layer]

Not good having to endure their attitude when it should be an enjoyable day.
In my experience, genuinely good players have always been friendly and good company on the golf course.
Fair enough putting everything into your game and trying to score as low as possible, but they should have manners and respect for their playing companions too.
It's a game to be enjoyed.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I'm sorry to hear that. Even in the monthly medal there are several members I know I'll not get a word out of them and they won't congratulate good shots and won't exchange any social chit chat. All for being in the zone but its four hours for heavens sake and you aren't in the bubble for that long. Even the pros have a chat waiting on the tee.

Glad to see you are sticking to the principles your parents instilled Amanda and refused to become as bad as the other pair

 

[AmandaJR]

Ahh thanks guys. I knew I could come on here and vent and feel better. It IS meant to be fun and today so could have been under different circumstances. My partner Sophie is a delight to play golf with and the course was new to me and a real challenge. The weather was good, the food was ummm...weird...(soup for lunch - yes that's HOT soup!) but all in all it could have been a really good day.

Call it divine retribution but they took a 14 on one of the Par 5's...or perhaps my dear old Dad was looking down and throwing a few curve balls at them.

Oh - and they played off 6 and 7 but had swings from which I averted my eyes so nothing to write home about!

My first scratch match tomorrow - I so hope I don't play anyone similar or I swear I will not be held responsible for my actions.

 

[harpo_72]

Oh dear, I feel quite bad reading this thread. I do occasionally say "good shot" but I do find it hard to give and take compliments, it's not my way. I also sometimes don't participate in the conversation, sometimes I do, and on those occasions I sometimes feel too much. I don't have any malice towards my playing partners, it's just sometimes I don't have much to say.
What I am saying is being gregarious comes easily to some people, talking and stimulating conversation is a skill and an art form, not everyone has. Being complementary without sounding hollow is hard as well.
But being courteous and polite is easy ... So is being on time !
But most of all I hope you enjoyed your golf if not the soup... That is the most important aspect of all of this, and go out there and enjoy it tomorrow .. Your playing partners should not make or break your days golf.
But you should be tucked up in bed by now!!

 

[gripitripit]

What did you think of Meridian? What it in good nick?

 

[Doon frae Troon]

My daughter plays county golf and she sometimes get mad at the selfish attitude of some of the 'college' players.
Your playing partners don't seem to be youngsters so I would imagine their behaviour is not common.

My old boss had a wonderful expression.
99% of folk are great, just ignore the 1%.

Well played though, where were you playing?

 

[chrisd]

Oh dear, I feel quite bad reading this thread. I do occasionally say "good shot" but I do find it hard to give and take compliments, it's not my way. I also sometimes don't participate in the conversation, sometimes I do, and on those occasions I sometimes feel too much. I don't have any malice towards my playing partners, it's just sometimes I don't have much to say.
What I am saying is being gregarious comes easily to some people, talking and stimulating conversation is a skill and an art form, not everyone has. Being complementary without sounding hollow is hard as well.
But being courteous and polite is easy ... So is being on time !
But most of all I hope you enjoyed your golf if not the soup... That is the most important aspect of all of this, and go out there and enjoy it tomorrow .. Your playing partners should not make or break your days golf.
But you should be tucked up in bed by now!!

As someone who is accused of talking a little too much, it's interesting, and a reminder, to hear the other side of the issue. I, like Amanda, have always assumed that someone who never utters a "good shot" etc was just plain rude and, frankly, after reading this posting, realise that there is a different reason.

Well said Harpo

 

[bobmac]

Maybe your fellow competitors tried to speak but couldn't get a word in edgeways

 

[patricks148]

Its prob just a women thing.

 

[Foxholer]

Its prob just a women thing.

I believe it is - at least a 'some women' thing. An observation from experiencing similar a few times, rather than sexist.

I believe some just don't have much experience of the 'friendly competition' that comes naturally in a workplace or sporting environment and react rather differently to those that have - especially in something as serious as County comps.

Just play your normal way and enjoy the golf, ignoring their ignorance. The message may get through eventually, but don't let their approach affect your enjoyment!

 

[chrisd]

Maybe your fellow competitors tried to speak but couldn't get a word in edgeways

I did have one guy say that he didn't want to hear any of my banter during a round in a comp we were going out to play. My answer was simply, "the places where you hit the ball I shan't be going, I really don't expect to be anywhere near you at anytime to chat"

To be fair I was offended as I know as well as anyone how to conduct myself according to the importance of a game.

 

[AmandaJR]

To be fair it wasn't the lack of chit chat nor compliments that really jarred - it was downright utter rudeness. Our meeting on the first tee "Hi, you must be Sharon and Tina - I'm Amanda"...hard stares and stony silence. After a hole finished I occasionally needed to check their score and always had to ask at least twice as they turned their backs. On another hole they drove into the clag and we couldn't find their ball. As we were still searching in the bushes it seems they had called the group behind through and we were only aware when there was a huge shout of "FORE"...

I also think it's a women thing and much prefer the company of me for that very reason!

I liked the Meridian although it was a tough test as the greens are very undulating and felt quite linksy as you had to hit the right spot and without adverse side spin on the ball or it would be off the green in a heartbeat.

 

[shivas irons]

Some people are just more focused than others on course, I used to play with an American chap some years ago who never uttered a word on course but off you couldnt shut him up! I havent got a problem with people being like this as I just concentrate on my own game...

 

[CMAC]

To be fair it wasn't the lack of chit chat nor compliments that really jarred - it was downright utter rudeness. Our meeting on the first tee "Hi, you must be Sharon and Tina - I'm Amanda"...hard stares and stony silence. After a hole finished I occasionally needed to check their score and always had to ask at least twice as they turned their backs. On another hole they drove into the clag and we couldn't find their ball. As we were still searching in the bushes it seems they had called the group behind through and we were only aware when there was a huge shout of "FORE"...

I also think it's a women thing and much prefer the company of me for that very reason!

I liked the Meridian although it was a tough test as the greens are very undulating and felt quite linksy as you had to hit the right spot and without adverse side spin on the ball or it would be off the green in a heartbeat.

bit self centred

I'm pretty sure you meant men, most women I know prefer mens company. :smirk:


Just out of interest as I don't know the womens county champs is there a h/cap limit or does county just mean the local area?