[Poll Pitt]

Hi THP

I have been a member for 4 years now at my local course. The first 3 years, I bought a $300 "mini membership" that got me 30% off each round. This year, after talking with the owner, I went with an all inclusive package for $1500 that was good 7 days/week after 12pm. The full membership is $2k all day everyday. I have played a lot of golf there and have seen it through some good and bad conditions, mostly weather related, but this summer it has taken a turn for the worse. They lost 3 greens this summer and many spots on the other greens. I am perfectly fine with this and coming from a business that is weather dependent, I understand completely. The greens are back to playable, but are still in really rough shape. I've compared them to other courses that went through the same turmoils this summer, but other courses are back to 100% or very close to it. The greens not being "maintained" are only one of my gripes.

This summer my course offered packages through Groupon. They sold the first one right around Father's day and then again in August. You could buy all day golf for 2 people valid 7 days/week including a cart. This also included range balls (which I have to pay for if I want to warm up) and a beer for each person. This package was $39 and had a limit of 5 per person. Weekend rates at this course are $49 before 1 pm. After looking at the Groupon ads, the course sold 1840+ of these packages. I'm all for a good deal and think this is a great one. I probably would have bought some if I weren't a member. I do have a very big problem with this though....they can play for a lot cheaper than the members. Am I wrong to think this way?

So, with over 1800 packages being sold, this brings up quite a few issues. You've sold a lot of cheap rounds, where the course is not making much money at all (I know the exact number, and it's peanuts). The course is already under a ton of stress from the hot,dry summer and now you are adding a lot of ball marks, cleat marks, and carts. I realize the bottom line is to make money, and I'm fine with that, but as play expands so does the maintenance. The course went on weird mowing schedules this summer and some fairways were going a while without a mow. It looked kind of ridiculous to see weeds and sprigs of grass that were 6" tall in a fairway. I also shouldn't have flyers from the fairway.

Pace of play has gotten to be brutal. I haven't been playing the course much at all, but the few times I've showed up on the weekends I have either left or stuck through some ridiculous rounds of golf. They have also run into issues with not having enough carts. I got the last cart yesterday afternoon and only got it because a tee time didn't show up. Apparently the day before they had several irrate groups since they didn't have carts for them and the groupon ad clearly says "with cart".

Another thing I have noticed is that I don't recognize anyone. Groups that normally would go out in the afternoons on weekends are no longer there. I played yesterday with a buddy and there were only 2 other people there that weren't from Groupon. That says a lot to me. The locals and members pay the bills, the guys looking for the quick deal won't be back.

I won't be renewing my membership and neither will the core group of guys I play golf with. 1 was a $2k member, 1 was a $300 mini member, and 3 others were weekday members @ $1200 a piece. I haven't had a chance to talk with other members, since they apparently aren't there, to see how they feel. I've spoken with a lot of the employees and they tell me they get complaints all the time about course conditions and they are frustrated as well. I think the course may have bitten off a little more than they could chew, and I think they may be realizing this. The marshal told me yesterday that they think they are now worried the may start losing members over the groupon deal.

So, I have a question....

I've thought about emailing the owner since he is NEVER at the course. The same owner that forwarded me emails between he and the super about course improvements that they upcoming last spring when I was on the fence about giving him $1500. I don't care about the money, but I just feel like I was taken advantage of. I feel bad for the guys who spent $300 to get 30% off a round and then people who went on Groupon can play all day for $19.50/person. I think I am going to email the owner and tell him all of my issues I have and that I won't be renewing my membership. It kind of sucks since the course is a 10 minute drive and now I will have to drive 40 miles, but I guess it is what it is. Has anyone experienced anything like this with a home course? I don't like to complain/whine and I have managed to keep my mouth shut, but I think I have reached my tipping point. Is this just life and I need to get over it?

Thanks for reading!