Seniors Open Comps, Gt value but unfair.

[oltimer]

A group of us enter many Seniors Open Comps each Season this being a way to play a quality Course at a fraction of the normal green fees and terrific value for money, however as a fair competition they fail totally by allowing Home Members to participate and compete against the visitors,

most Courses we have either never played before or just once a year, off three quarters handicap I get no shots on half the holes, off white tees some holes are 400+ yards which I can no longer reach in two shots unless I cream a long iron or wood which is a rare occurence so I am taking three to get there and then trying to putt on a Green which has unseen and unknown burrows, known to home members but not visitors and 2 putts for a bogey is like getting a birdie.
As these are 4 ball betterballs each home pair have two chances of using their local knowledge against us.

It is a fact that home players with a knowledge of the course layout and greens oddities have a 2 or 3 shot advantage over strangers and those that organise these events should either provide seperate prizes for visitors or play home members of three quarters less another 2-3 shots.

As we don`t now expect to ever win anything we just use them as an enjoyable day out but others look at the Leaderboard and see five out of the top six are home members and don`t return the following years.

Come you organisers lets have a level playing field.

 

[0]

This isn't a serious post is it?

 

[thegogg]

Wow..... I have to agree, are you being serious????

 

[r1965h]

He should have added "mustn't grumble" at the end of the post.

There's no pleasing some folks.

 

[USER1999]

Old people, there's no pleasing them.

You get all that, for next to nothing, the course is effectively closed for the day to non seniors, you get fed, prizes, golf, and now you want an advantage.

If your handicap doesn't travel, it's not really your handicap. If the seniors where you are visiting can hit 400 yard par fours in two, why can't you? It is the same for every one.

 

[jammydodger]

Amazing post. I play many 36 hole scratch comps and its not fair that some people have a lower hamdicap then me. Come on you organisers i've got to play on an away course AND put up with people being better golfers than me , its just not fair.

I'm playing in an Open at Rookery Park and i've been drawn with last years winner who also happens to be last years County OOM winner and a regular County player (oh and its his home ourse). I think he should have to wear a blindfold but he'd probabaly still beat me

What a daft post ffs

 

[Oddsocks]

NO beating around the bush murph

 

[upsidedown]

This isn't a serious post is it?

+1

 

[Tommo21]

Well oltimer, I'm lost for words.


No....it's.....dont go then.

PS don't you think there's home players who cant reach the long par 4 as well. Or, as if by magic, they're all long hitters because they happen to play there.

 

[Tommo21]

Old people, there's no pleasing them.

You get all that, for next to nothing, the course is effectively closed for the day to non seniors, you get fed, prizes, golf, and now you want an advantage.

If your handicap doesn't travel, it's not really your handicap. If the seniors where you are visiting can hit 400 yard par fours in two, why can't you? It is the same for every one.

I'm easy pleased.....nothing to do with golf, but easy pleased.

 

[Smiffy]

As I'm now 55 I find myself eligible to play in some Senior Opens.
I've recently played at Orsett Golf Club in Essex, and earlier on this year played in the seniors Open at Blatchington GC in Sussex.
Both courses were presented in immaculate condition, I had two wonderful days and played with some really nice guys that I had never met before.
Being seniors, they had all been playing a while and respected and upheld the traditions of the game. No temper tantrums, just good humour if they played a bad shot, and genuine warmth and congratulations if a good shot was played. All very nice and cosy.
Both days cost me £35.00. This included coffee and the obligatory bacon roll, 18 holes on two superb courses, and in both instances, wonderul 3 course meals afterwards.
Everybody I met was welcoming, the respective club captains made a point in coming round and introducing themselves, and asking whether you had had a good day.
All in all, terrific value for money and I will attend both meetings again next year.
I would guess that you were treated no differently, yet you are upset that a "home" player had a slight advantage?
And if you can't hit the ball far enough or putt properly, go and have some lessons.
If your post is serious, shame on you for basically slapping your hosts around the face.

 

[DCB]

I just don't belieeeeeeeeve it


Actually, the post has highlighted a problem that others may have experienced.... I sprayed my first coffee of the day all over my screen as I read this , I now need to clean it and dry it before anyone else gets into the office...... old people

 

[chris661]

This isn't a serious post is it?

+1

This has to be the worst way of responding to a post.

In reference to the op stop whining and get on with it

 

[Snelly]

This isn't a serious post is it?

+1

This has to be the worst way of responding to a post.

In reference to the op stop whining and get on with it

-1



+1

 

[Swinger]

You could just play at your home clubs event if it gets too much for you to bare.

 

[chrisd]

There are some odd views expressed on here at times but, unless this is a joke, all I can say is that I am 58 and I hope that I don't get so puddled when I reach the vets!




Chris

 

[oltimer]

well that woke you all up and got you talking, no it wasn`t a joke but a comment/suggestion I received a few years ago when I was an Open organiser, I wasn`t as shocked as some of you, in fact thought some points were valid and future events had a best visitors prize. tend to agree with smiffy`s comments tho`

ps sorry about the wet pc.

 

[Twire]

Just looked at the open results at our place from last week, 1st and 2nd place went to visitors. So I can't quite agree with your comment. When I play in opens I take it for what it is, a cheep day out.

 

[chrisd]

Now don't misunderstand us, I have absolutely no problem with a seperate, but otherwise meaningless, best visitor prize. I also do realise, along with most on here, that the member does have something of an advantage with course knowledge but without a national (slope) system of handicapping that is just the way it is.

Take my situation, I am a 12 handicap at a very tight tree lined course and its generally felt that a handicap held there can pretty well be carried anywhere. So, I enter an Open comp at a much easier course, the 12 handicapper member at the home course would struggle round my place, but theoretically, it should be easier for me than my handicap so would you listen to arguments that I should be docked shots at the away course?


Chris

 

[pokerjoke]

The level playing field you ask for is your official handicap.
Playing opens at other courses for a special rate is your prize,if you win something as well then great.
Some comps do have prizes for away teams,seperate from home teams which still doesnt guarentee a prize or a level playing field because then it comes down to how well you know the course.
I for one love away days,cheap,usually good company and banter,and you get to play others courses,all in all a winner in my book