TheCaddie
Challenge Tour Pro
So, as some of you will know, I recently moved home and have relocated to Sevenoaks. One of the very first things on the agenda for both me and my partner (both 28 years old), was to join a golf club and start getting involved.
After a telephone call a few months ago, we both turned up yesterday for a tour of the course and to find out more about joining. Unfortunately, whilst the membership secretary was welcoming enough to me, he barely addressed my partner or spoke to her, it was all directed at me as if she was an after thought. He also said that we'd need to speak to the Pro who has a big say in members that join, and unfortunately, the pro was rude, condesending, and was very reluctant with my partner. It almost seemed as if he sent us to the Pro to do his dirty work.
Whilst I am towards the top end of the handicap bracket and my partner would be slightly above it, I would have thought the fact that there were two young potential members that lived 2 minute drive away, they'd be snapping both of our hands of. They even send they needed more members, particularly female! We explained our situation in detail and made it really clear about our ability, our intentions to play a lot, get lessons, etc.
However, my partner was made to feel like a complete idiot, unwelcome, and was talked to like a child. Which obviously upset me as well. It was very much a 'we'll decide if you're of the right standard to be a part of our club'
Their entire attitude was just terrible, and it's probably why they only have about 40 active female members.
The course, and facilities are top notch, and whilst it is a tricky course, it's something I would have liked to be a part of, but the PRO even said if I don't break a 100 in my playing in round I would need to do a 6 month academy course with massively restricted membership. It just didn't set things in the right tone. I would much rather get lessons and keep playing the course... the scores will come down. Such short sightedness. I explained that my scores have been mid to high 90s at Richmond Park, and to begin with at this course I would be slightly above that I imagine, but wouldn't take long to get back down. He didn't really care.
We could have been members of that club for the next 40/50 years!!!
Instead, we visited a few others, and whilst one might not be the same quality of course for a purist, it is still a great course that suits both our needs, has great facilities, and also allows me and my partner to play golf together... which is what we enjoy! It also had a much more thriving male and female membership, and even turning up on a Monday the clubhouse was busy.
Reading about all of the bad stories on the forum and in GM, I often thought it was a bit of an extreme, but having experienced it first hand, I now realise what a problem the sport of golf has on its hands, and hence the decline. My partner, who would also be paying best part of £1000 a year, might as well have not been there. I was basically being told yes you can join, but there was always a little caveat after. Shocking.
Fortunately my partner and I love playing the game, and we have joined another club that works for us. What a shame the original club that we wanted to join is missing out on what would probably be over £100k between us in our lifetime in membership fees.
After a telephone call a few months ago, we both turned up yesterday for a tour of the course and to find out more about joining. Unfortunately, whilst the membership secretary was welcoming enough to me, he barely addressed my partner or spoke to her, it was all directed at me as if she was an after thought. He also said that we'd need to speak to the Pro who has a big say in members that join, and unfortunately, the pro was rude, condesending, and was very reluctant with my partner. It almost seemed as if he sent us to the Pro to do his dirty work.
Whilst I am towards the top end of the handicap bracket and my partner would be slightly above it, I would have thought the fact that there were two young potential members that lived 2 minute drive away, they'd be snapping both of our hands of. They even send they needed more members, particularly female! We explained our situation in detail and made it really clear about our ability, our intentions to play a lot, get lessons, etc.
However, my partner was made to feel like a complete idiot, unwelcome, and was talked to like a child. Which obviously upset me as well. It was very much a 'we'll decide if you're of the right standard to be a part of our club'
Their entire attitude was just terrible, and it's probably why they only have about 40 active female members.
The course, and facilities are top notch, and whilst it is a tricky course, it's something I would have liked to be a part of, but the PRO even said if I don't break a 100 in my playing in round I would need to do a 6 month academy course with massively restricted membership. It just didn't set things in the right tone. I would much rather get lessons and keep playing the course... the scores will come down. Such short sightedness. I explained that my scores have been mid to high 90s at Richmond Park, and to begin with at this course I would be slightly above that I imagine, but wouldn't take long to get back down. He didn't really care.
We could have been members of that club for the next 40/50 years!!!
Instead, we visited a few others, and whilst one might not be the same quality of course for a purist, it is still a great course that suits both our needs, has great facilities, and also allows me and my partner to play golf together... which is what we enjoy! It also had a much more thriving male and female membership, and even turning up on a Monday the clubhouse was busy.
Reading about all of the bad stories on the forum and in GM, I often thought it was a bit of an extreme, but having experienced it first hand, I now realise what a problem the sport of golf has on its hands, and hence the decline. My partner, who would also be paying best part of £1000 a year, might as well have not been there. I was basically being told yes you can join, but there was always a little caveat after. Shocking.
Fortunately my partner and I love playing the game, and we have joined another club that works for us. What a shame the original club that we wanted to join is missing out on what would probably be over £100k between us in our lifetime in membership fees.
