Long time GC member, AND I have a problem Options

[nlacross]

Hey guys,
I have been a member of the course I belong to for about 8 years now. It is a public course but I have always like the layout of it and the yardage which is about 6900. Each year the course starts off a little slow with their maintenance but they get it to come around usually within a month and a half or so after the golf season starts. There are two seperate owners and they are kind of asses and aren't the most talented in people skills and customer service, especially when it comes to members. We have our usual weekend game and group which consist of about 12 guys including my father who belongs at this course as well so I have a lot of friends there.

Well, this year the course is beyond pathetic. What do I mean by pathetic?? The greens are still literally brown and winter kill is still showing strong on many of them. There are four greens we are postive are on the stages of death. They are crusty and hard and it is impossible to hold shots on them. We don't have a course superintendent anymore so all the decisions of how the course should look is up to the owners and their knowledge of turf is pretty bad. There are so many things they are doing wrong it makes me sick. Instead of cutting prices for your customers due to the economy, they have raised their prices including range balls. Guys, I know golf and how courses are supposed to look and my course is disgusting!!!

Over last winter they usually have indoor golf which attracts a lot of people to their course but instead decided to have charity poker tourneys five days a week which I have heard they made good money on. Well the only improvements we have seen where that money is being spent is them re-doing the bar inside the clubhouse. They even designated a section to the clubhouse for several poker tables because they want to carry the poker out all year long now. I just want to yell at them saying that the property is a golf course, not a casino.

I talked with one of the course workers the other day whom I know and he told me they opted not to do a chemical application on the greens in the spring which has resulted in how they look now. He has also heard they don't have any plans in the next few months to fertilize due to the money being spent in the clubhouse.

So here is my question, what approach if any can I take to say we pay membership fees for a golf course and we all expect it to look even halfway decent? It is so bad I have only played five times there this year which is way out of my norm. I have a hard time getting motivated to play there only because it makes me sick knowing my money is being wasted. I have been driving to another course to practice only so I can learn something while I putt and chip because the practice green at my course is brown and littered with debri. Is there some step I can take or an option I have to ask for a membership refund due to course conditions? Anybody else have similiar scenarios in the past and did you guys do something to resolve the problem? Our owners don't have members meetings only because they don't care to hear what we have to say. Please help....

Maybe this Saturday I will stomach the idea of playing and take some pictures for you guys so you can get the full effect of what I am talking about. You guys would die if you see what I see. Sorry for the rant!!

This post has been edited by nlacross: May 21 2009, 01:15 PM

[larrybud]

What course is this?

Why not get a bunch of members together and write a letter to the owners (asses or not) and express your concern.

I do know that as far as greens go, it was a rough winter for most Michigan greens.

[goinglow72]

I wouldnt spend another dime there. Write a letter to the owners (maybe even get some signatures) and let them know this will be your last quarter/season) if the conditions arnt improved.

Take your business elsewhere!

[nlacross]

What course is this?

Why not get a bunch of members together and write a letter to the owners (asses or not) and express your concern.

I do know that as far as greens go, it was a rough winter for most Michigan greens.

I don't know if I feel comfortable in saying what course this is. Oh what the hell, F them. It is Ledge Meadows which sits outside of Grand Ledge, MI.

I have pulled one of the two owners aside this year and expressed my concerns about the course and the greens. His reply to me was "play the conditions the course has to offer you". What kind of response is that to one of your long time members?

Yes, winter was tough in Michigan... But I have played SEVERAL courses already this year and they have all treated their greens to where they are very playable. Our greens sir are NOT playable whatsoever right now. Like I said, there hasn't been any type of chemical application put on them at all this year. Can you imagine what they look like without treatment after our winter? You will literally stand out in the fairway and look at the green and see one large brown green staring you in the face.

[highergr0und]

Pull out the membership contract and see what rights you are afforded and perhaps find a lawyer who is a member (there's got to be a few) and see what kind of official letter/notice they can draw up. Paying and not playing just plays right into the owners hands.

[desaille]

Sounds like a business decision as they are trying to bring money anyway they can in this tough economy.
I'm sure they are looking at the numbers and see that tee times bring in so much, but the poker brings in X.

Still though, they need to do maintenance.

[HoosierGolfer]

Go play somewhere else.

[Pweb44]

Sounds like the owners are more interested in turning the GC into a poker house and golf is now a side attraction IMO. It costs alot less to maintain a room full of poker tables than to make sure 18 golf holes are in tip top condition.

If it was me I would pull my business and take it somewhere that wants me as a golfer and cares to ensure the course is looked after properly. Hopefully you will have an out clause or can get enough members to say fix the course or we all walk. Good luck.