outside beverages/coolers Cancel The title field is required!

1. McDonagh Patrick

   
   5/21/2012 9:05 AM

   Does anyone have or know of a sign that can be posted at our entrance to inform our golfers that outside coolers and alcohol cannot be brought onto the premises. Our frustrated FB staff gets no assistance from clubhouse management to enforce any rules and are concerned for the loss of revenues, liability and reputation as a BYOB facility.

   
   
   
   
2. David Brandenburg

   

   3 posts
   
   5/21/2012 3:05 PM

   A simple "Carry-on alcoholic beverages are not allowed under state law". In Wisconsin the put the statute number on the sign.
   
   Golf courses are licensed facilities and the staff has to have full control over the serving of alcoholic beverages.

   
   
   
   
3. Wahlin Scott B

   
   5/21/2012 4:05 PM

   It is the law in Florida too. We have signs that make this clear and we enforce the rules.

   
   
   
   
4. Melvin Waldron

   

   43 posts
   
   5/21/2012 5:05 PM

   I remember in Indiana we had the same signs.
   
   Here alcohol is not allowed in city parks and we do not serve it. I don't know where all the beer cans and bottles along with whiskey bottles come from, dang kids walking across the course I guess? I
   
   We need Scott's rangers to come patrol our place, the pro shop staff/managers/pros do not enforce it because they are afraid to loose the customers. Back in 2003 or 2002 they tried to take the issue to city council for us to sell it, but I was told the Baptist and the police came out in full force against it (that was before I got here).
   
   Mel

   
   Melvin H. Waldron III, CGCS, Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield/Greene County MO
   
   
5. Wahlin Scott B

   
   5/21/2012 5:05 PM

   I could be wrong, but I don't think my rangers would stop someone discretely pouring rum from a flask into a coke. I am sure it happens and I have never read a report that referred to an incident like this. If we did not offer any sort of alcohol sales we might be less likely to enforce the rules, but we do offer beer and wine. In South Florida our golfers want to drink a little and smoke cigars or chew tobacco. It seems to be part of the experience they expect.

   
   
   
   
6. McDonagh Patrick

   
   5/22/2012 4:05 AM

   Thanks for the responses. The main concern is the lugheads who bring a case of beer and then have the nerve to ask for free ice. We all know the type, more interested in drinking than golfing. We are aware that it is unrealistic to stop it entirely but to not try to excercise some control is putting the facility in jeopardy.

   
   
   
   
7. McCallum David K

   
   5/22/2012 1:05 PM

   That exact thing happened this past Sunday.........I was at the bar making the turn and two guys come up with a cooler full of bottle beer wanting "free" ice. The little girl serving them looked at me for help and I spoke up and said sorry guys no ice. We do not allow outside beverages to be brought on site or consumed (exceptions for large outside events if the beer is donated) on site. One guy looked at me and said who are you? I replied as politely as I could and said the golf course superintendent and a manager and I'm telling her NOT to give you any ice. Not happy campers as they walked off.

   
   
   
   
8. Melvin Waldron

   

   43 posts
   
   5/22/2012 3:05 PM

   David McCallum said: That exact thing happened this past Sunday.........I was at the bar making the turn and two guys come up with a cooler full of bottle beer wanting "free" ice. The little girl serving them looked at me for help and I spoke up and said sorry guys no ice. We do not allow outside beverages to be brought on site or consumed (exceptions for large outside events if the beer is donated) on site. One guy looked at me and said who are you? I replied as politely as I could and said the golf course superintendent and a manager and I'm telling her NOT to give you any ice. Not happy campers as they walked off.

   
   
   I can't believe he asked who you were, for anyone who doesn't know, David is a close resemblance to Charles Bronson, I would have been scared to ask you who you were.
   
   Mel

   
   Melvin H. Waldron III, CGCS, Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield/Greene County MO
   
   
9. McCallum David K

   
   5/24/2012 8:05 AM

   Very nice Mel..........flattery will get you everywhere and happy to compared to one of the great actors of our time (how he has not won an Oscar yet is beyond me) and a handsome leading man as well...............but my wife tends to compare me more to Charlie Manson, not Charlie Bronson

   
   
   
   
10. Sean Hoolehan

    

    0 posts
    
    5/24/2012 8:05 AM

    It really goes beyond the revenue, because the liability for what the drunks do off the course is not simply waved because they brought their own. A local golf club once had a member get in a wreck driving home after a tournament and was ticketed for DUI. The State Police followed up with a investigation to find out who had been serving him at the Country Club (in Oregon the server is personally liable for serving intoxicated individuals). Turns out he only bought a couple of beers but needed a cooler with ice to keep both beers cold during his round.
    I think it was a eye opener for the clubs board. The State police said if the club was allowing the use of private alcohol by simply looking the other way they were putting their liquor licenses in jeopardy. Things tightened up considerably after that.

    
    
    
    
11. Melvin Waldron

    

    43 posts
    
    5/24/2012 9:05 AM

    Good info Sean,
    
    I don't know why everything is lax here on the golf course, in any of the other parks since we have built up our park ranger force, the ticket they write the most is for alcohol in the parks. At one safety meeting I was going to say if they want, they could write tickets all day at the golf course, but since I'm low on the food chain I tend to keep my mouth shut. I wonder what the liability would be on us knowing it is going on? I know supervisors above us and parks directors and assistant directors know about it.
    
    Mel

    
    Melvin H. Waldron III, CGCS, Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield/Greene County MO
    
    
12. James Smith

    

    112 posts
    
    6/7/2012 10:06 AM

    While I know some of my members bring in their on booze our biggest problem is with the old timers in the morning wanting to fill their small ice chest with ice which is already filled up with power drinks and snacks. Since we are a member owned club this has been allowed but complained about constantly.