[bpratt]

A warning about a hotel in Myrtle Beach, the Compass Cove Resort: my room was broken into and my clubs stolen a few nights ago.

I wouldn't harm the hotel's reputation for a single break-in, but I have since learned that the hotel is a regular target of criminals--8 stolen golf bags in the last month alone, according to the MB police. The hotel treated me as if nothing had happened--didn't even offer to reduce my room rate.

So be careful selecting hotels there. It might make sense to avoid beachfront properties with little or no security.

[Big D McGee]

I would contact a decent attorney and threaten to sue the pants off these folks. The fact that they were incredibly blase about it would irk the s*** outta me. I mean, if youd had been in the room asleep, you could've been injured, or WORSE. I'd play that up to these clowns and seriously threaten to sue them.

[HipCheck]

Your homeowners (or renters) insurance policy should cover theft of your personal articles worldwide. Be sure to look into it (you probably have a deductible, which you may get the hotel to cover).

[rednumbers69]

thx 4 the heads up

[Lowpro]

contact the chamber of commerce in MB, also better buisness burea.. if that many rooms have been broken into-- could be an inside job also*

[bpratt]

A quick update to respond to your comments:

The hotel (Compass Cove Resort) not only was blase, they didn't offer to LOWER my room rate, let alone comp the room. The manager on duty told me, "Sir, crime happens everywhere. We're not responsible." The general manager of the facility has yet to call me back, though I have left him seven voice mail messages.

Homeowners covers it, but I have a $1,000 deductible. I have initiated a suit against the hotel to get them to cover the deductible.

I also have contacted the MB Better Business Bureau and the SC hotel commission.

Also, my work is in PR, and I have begun a fairly broad email and publicity campaign to tell the golf world the simple facts of this case. I'm surprised that hasn't gotten the hotel's attention.


(And listen--this attack approach isn't my style. If they'd been nice about it, and if I hadn't heard about the history of break-ins at the place, I would have gone away quietly. But they made their own bed, so to speak.)

[bpratt]

Also, I'm fairly certain that it was an inside job, which makes it that much worse.

[Simp]

bpratt, on Mar 21 2006, 04:59 PM, said:

Also, I'm fairly certain that it was an inside job, which makes it that much worse.

No doubt!

[Big D McGee]

^^IMHO, your approach is 100% justified, inasmuch as the hotel was downright RUDE to you! God forbid if it WASN'T an inside job, and you had been in the hotel room during the break-in!

Keep us updated as to what happens. The hotel choose poorly in reacting to your situation. Let's hope they reap what they've sown!

[BEND OF THE RIVER GC]

Ahh, just tell the insurance agent you were over the USGA limit on cluubs in your bag and every other club as a Cameron 009. That should help. Sorry to hear about your clubs. Golf clubs are a very personal item and it would PAIN anyone to be violated in that way. If I caught someone doing that they would get a good BEAT DOWN, for sure!

[bpratt]

Update: The hotel GM finally called me and, for the first time, apologized profusely. He comped my room and offered me a great deal on my next stay (but of course, there's no chance I'm going back there). I told him I would continue my PR campaign against the hotel unless they prove to me that they have improved the security situation (with cameras, etc.).

Also, I got a call last night from a guy who had come across several kids carrying a golf bag down the beach and stopped them. He noticed my bag tag and asked the kids what club they play at, and the kids ran. So the guy has my clubs. The bad news: they're all trashed. He said it looked like someone beat them all into pavement. At least I might get some of the personal stuff in my bag back, like the only ball marker I've used for the past 25 years.

I have no idea why someone would go to the trouble of breaking into a room only to smash up the clubs. Maybe he tried to fence them but got turned away by pawn shops.

[Long Shot]

Sounds like you complaints to management made who ever the "Inside" thief get rid of your clubs. I would be t that he discarded them and those kids found them. There is no way kids would break into a room to steal clubs and then just trash them (unless other things were stolen). Those kids finding those clubs was a dileberate attempt to throw off the trail.

I would bet that when you complained that you told the hotel management that you had the serials on the clubs and could track them if they were sold.

[bpratt]

I would bet that when you complained that you told the hotel management that you had the serials on the clubs and could track them if they were sold.
[/quote]


In fact I did tell them that, and in fact I do have the serials (at least for the irons). The MB police also have the serials.

[Long Shot]

bpratt, on Mar 22 2006, 10:13 AM, said:

I would bet that when you complained that you told the hotel management that you had the serials on the clubs and could track them if they were sold.

In fact I did tell them that, and in fact I do have the serials (at least for the irons). The MB police also have the serials.
[/quote]
That is why your clubs got dumped and those kids found them. I bet someone in mangement is involved, either gave a pass key to the actual thief or someone involved with the theft overheard you reporting it to management.