Opens and Independent Golfers

[NearHull]

Has any clubs limited their Opens to affiliated club members as yet?

 

[apj0524]

Has any clubs limited their Opens to affiliated club members as yet?

Yes

 

[NearHull]

Yes

I’ve just accessed one of Worlebury Gents Open. In the link, ‘View Rules’, it doesn’t mention the restriction. Does it limit entry when you try to book?

 

[Lord Tyrion]

I have definitely noticed a couple mentioning the requirement on their Open pages. I couldn't tell you which clubs, I simply can't remember, but it stood out due to posts on this very subject. They would be clubs in Northumberland, it is where I would be looking.

I suspect most clubs were advertising their Opens earlier in the year before this was a discussion so the real test is for 2022 Opens. I would be surprised if the majority are not restricted. Are you testing the water here @NearHull for your Opens next year?

 

[fundy]

Guilty before charged I see, some clubs cant wait to undermine this scheme on the basis that club members are supposedly more honest than non club members. WALOFS

 

[Old Colner]

And rightly so, membership fees paid by members to clubs include affiliation fees paid to county organisations, this is why the opens are run at discounted rates, I would be very annoyed if there was an open I missed out on and people who were not club members were taking part.

 

[NearHull]

It’s not my intention to resurrect the arguments for or against the decisions to limit Opens, merely to try to discover if it is widespread and how it is being communicated i.e. Is the information being shown up front, or is it only discovered when trying to book.

 

[fundy]

so you want to know whether you have to announce it or can just turn them away quietly, i get it

 

[NearHull]

so you want to know whether you have to announce it or can just turn them away quietly, i get it

No, if we decide to limit to affiliated club members it will be clearly stated in the advertisement alongside the other limitations of Gents, Ladies, Seniors etc

 

[fundy]

out of interest, what are the usual prizes for your open days?

 

[NearHull]

out of interest, what are the usual prizes for your open days?

Our Seniors Over 60‘s Open award over £700 in prizes for £36 per pair.

 

[KenL]

Any open I have ever entered asked what your home club is.
Seems wrong that if people pay to get an official hcp that they could be discrimated against for not being a member of a club.
Perhaps they can't afford it or family situation prevents them from playing too often.
Not right to prevent them taking part.
Plenty "cheats" are members of clubs.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

It’s not my intention to resurrect the arguments for or against the decisions to limit Opens, merely to try to discover if it is widespread and how it is being communicated i.e. Is the information being shown up front, or is it only discovered when trying to book.

Those I saw had it front and centre. Saying that perhaps others have it at the point of booking and I simply didn't get that far. Logic to me says show it upfront so that there is no confusion, same as handicap limit, format etc

 

[IanM]

Saw a few in Scotland open to members of local courses only.

Keeps out the tourists too

 

[jim8flog]

out of interest, what are the usual prizes for your open days?

My mate and I won best home pair in the seniors and it was £70 each, the best visitors won more

I think our club open was about £130 each for the winners.

 

[davidy233]

Saw a few in Scotland open to members of local courses only.

Keeps out the tourists too

Can't say i've ever seen that up here - what were the clubs?

 

[IanM]

I'll check in the morning... can't remember. It might not have been all their events, just the one I wanted to enter!

 

[KenL]

Saw a few in Scotland open to members of local courses only.

Keeps out the tourists too

Yes, some in East Lothian only open to county members.
Some clubs also don't have a gents open. Muirfield Gullane, N. Berwick, Craigielaw, Renaissance.

 

[IanM]

I think it was Kilspindie and one other.

It's a funny one this. If clubs offer reduced fees to "members of other clubs" in open comps... which has been the case for years, is that so bad?

Independent golfers shouldn't be excluded, but they can't expect to get the reduced fee that members of associated clubs get, surely.......

There's a different perspective!!

 

[davidy233]

Yes, some in East Lothian only open to county members.
Some clubs also don't have a gents open. Muirfield Gullane, N. Berwick, Craigielaw, Renaissance.

Mmm interesting - is this just an East Lothian thing? I see North Berwick have a Seniors Open