What a difference a hotel makes...

[pjaz]

..I played Oulton Hall Golf Course (Leeds) a couple of times about 3 years ago. It was pay and play and about £13-14 for a mid week round. It was a nice course (hence I played it twice) and I enjoyed my round. I think it was municipal at the time and had a separate hotel in the grounds

Have just looked it up while thinking about a return, to find that it now part of the DeVere group and £37 per round. They state there has been investment in the facilities, but thats a big increase.

If this was my local I would be priced out of playing there. Anybody else had similar experiences which have affected their golf? I know Parmo lives in Leeds,maybe he knows this course and had played their more recently than I.

 

[GB72]

A course up the road from me had a hotel built and, whilst the pay and play fees stayed roughly the same, the treatment of members became disgraceful. Basically they are no longer necessary for the financial success of the course etc so are treated worse than the hotel guests, societies and pay and players. The final straw was a tee booking system put in place despite none of the members wanting it so as the hotel guests could book tee times with their stay. Basically the members now have great difficulty getting a round at their own club.

 

[RGuk]

True story.....I was down to join the forest of arden many years ago. The night before my interview I had dinner with someone who'd been a member. He said that more often than not, the members were transferred to the 2nd course (not even close in standard) because the hotel guests got preference. Surprise, surprise, the next day I did the interview then took up my chance to "try out" the course before deciding.....they put me on the "other course" and then expected me to sign up at £1000 per year. I played the 2nd course, walked off at the 14 (?), got in my car, and legged it never to be seen again.....silly sods.

 

[Glenfish]

Great story that mate

 

[pjaz]

True story.....I was down to join the forest of arden many years ago. The night before my interview I had dinner with someone who'd been a member. He said that more often than not, the members were transferred to the 2nd course (not even close in standard) because the hotel guests got preference. Surprise, surprise, the next day I did the interview then took up my chance to "try out" the course before deciding.....they put me on the "other course" and then expected me to sign up at £1000 per year. I played the 2nd course, walked off at the 14 (?), got in my car, and legged it never to be seen again.....silly sods.

Not sure how many years ago you mean, but these days they may have gotten your mobile and e-mail and still be canvassing you to join. Made me laugh though.

A posh course in Sheffield is having an open day on 1 April (honest) but you have to play with a member so they can tell you the benefits of the club (and in realgolfers case make sure you don't do a runner before the hard sell).

 

[HomerJSimpson]

On the other end of the scale, I use to regularly go to Cornwall to play (normally a Wednesday - Friday). We'd normally get down early, stop for some food have 18 holes, back for a kip and then an evening meal and some beers (only a distant memory now).

On the Saturday we'd find somewhere either for 36 holes or failing that would book and 18 somewhere am and play another course pm. Finally it would be a morning round and then head off home.

For many years we used a wonderful hotel called the Inn on the Green in Bude, situated at the far end of town overlooking the 4th at Bude & North Cornwall. Although not the cheapest it was a wonderfully kept hotel and had an amazing restaurant and bar. It was only B&B but they did special prices for evening meals for golfers staying there (and they cut huge amounts off!!).

The best part was that they seemed to have access to a lot of local clubs. It seemed they could get a time at Bude & North Cornwall at any time (including Saturdays and Sunday. I know because I've played there. Members were fine about visitors and really friendly).

From memory there was Westward Ho, Holsworty, St Mellion and about 8 or 9 others within maybe a 30 mile radius and if you booked via the hotel they not only got you a booked time but they had dicretionary rates.

Being so close to a course you would have thought they would have gone the other way and miled it, especially when putting money into the local course.

PS. Quick true story. The 4th at Bude is only about 140 with loads of deep bunkers around the green and fenced in from the roads to form a hole set in its own island.

On a stag do there were 9 of us there and after an afternoon drinking and a hearty evening meal we decided to nip out at last light and play the hole. Everyone drew a number from 3-9 and that corresponded with the iron you had to use (plus a putter). Highest score paid for the next 2 rounds.

We all merrily teed off and were happily trying to hole out when the young receptionist came out. She said the club secretary had spotted a large group of "youths" on his 4th hole through the telescope in his office and called the hotel to investigate. We beat a hasty retreat and retired to the bar before we got into too much trouble

 

[nackanut]

i have heard a few stories from members of a coarse near me that, five years ago expanded a small hotel into something much larger and concentrated on corporate golf and weekend and midweek breaks. this pushed the prices through the roof and the members i spoke to said they felt second rate and had little affinity to the club or the pro for that matter as he was invariably busy with the corporate guests.Anyway i heard before christmas that the hotel has had the bank foreclose on them and may well drag the course with it.

 

[spudgun007]

I play at Hoylake municipal just over the road from Royal Liverpool i have heard that they are going to build a big hotel next to our course, in time for the return of the Open, from what i have read from you lads the future for us regulars is not bright