What would you do?

maverick · December 31, 2013

When I joined Prescott Lakes CC (managed by Arnold Palmer Management) all things seemed OK. After a year and a new general manager took over we then started doing three shotguns per week with another day for ladies. Due to some medical issues I cannot get out at 9:30AM for the 10:00AM shotgun start. So I usually try and get in as much golf as possible after the shotgunners are done.

Today they announced they will start the shotguns at 11:00AM. So there will be no time after they are done for me to play. They want 400-500 members for a full membership. Around 75-110 play the shotgun. That relates to approx. 20% of the members playing the shotgun. So they are ignoring the rest of the membership. However the management really likes this so there is no chance they will change.

I have always played golf the regular way; call for a tee time and off I go. Now I have to figure a way to play or resign. They will refund the balance of my money since I paid a year in advance. I am leaning towards resigning. I never thought I would belong to a Country Club and have a problem getting times to play.

What would you do?

PS I am getting to hate corporate golf.

pga43 · December 31, 2013

Is this going to be a year around situation or just for the winter time with the shorter daylight hours and threat of frost? Even with starting times, there is no way that all 400-500 members could play in a day now.

A club I was the HP at in Washington did this in the winter months to maximize the number of players who get a full 18 holes in cuz of frost and lack of sunlight. We always had a few drop outs after nine and could insert any players hanging around the club after the shotgun had started.

Greg

maverick · December 31, 2013

[quote name='pga43' timestamp='1388539486' post='8376847']
Is this going to be a year around situation or just for the winter time with the shorter daylight hours and threat of frost? Even with starting times, there is no way that all 400-500 members could play in a day now.

A club I was the HP at in Washington did this in the winter months to maximize the number of players who get a full 18 holes in cuz of frost and lack of sunlight. We always had a few drop outs after nine and could insert any players hanging around the club after the shotgun had started.

Greg
[/quote]

I know all cannot play at once. We are in Arizona, the only State in the Union that does not go on daylight savings time. The last few weeks carts had to be in by 4:45PM.

The general manager said he would work me in just as you suggested (when I paid the year in advance) but that never materialized and he has not offered that option again. Another option is to put me with a threesome and I could just keep on playing after they finished their 18. They do not seem to care to do that either.

They do some shotguns during the summer months but not as many as the Spring, Fall, and Winter.

I love the course but if I never see the back nine so the beauty becomes insignificant. I am about 10 minutes from the municipal course that is 36 holes, two courses. A nice course, Stoneridge is not that far for me and is always in great condition; equal to the CC but a very radical course design. So I do have options myself.

It becomes very apparent they want everyone to do things together. Play golf, work out in their facility, eat at their club, party at their club for all holidays, etc. The bottom line is the only thing that counts to them.

The guys in the pro shop are all great and they do their best to get me out on the course but without the management's support they have little room to do much. I will miss them.

rockinar · January 1, 2014

4 out of 7 days have shotguns going on? So if you want to relax and play a round by yourself, you have three days to squeeze it in somewhere. I'd resign.

maverick · January 1, 2014

[quote name='rockinar' timestamp='1388562856' post='8378019']
4 out of 7 days have shotguns going on? So if you want to relax and play a round by yourself, you have three days to squeeze it in somewhere. I'd resign.
[/quote]

I am tendering my resignation this morning. Thanks for the replies and advice.

maverick · January 2, 2014

Well I guess not. Now they will not refund my pre-paid cart fees so I will finish out my membership which ends in June. I do not think they have thought over what a disgruntled member can do in six months. I will try and talk every prospect out of joining. I hate corporate golf and Arnold Palmer management does no justice to Palmers image.