Comped Golf Cancel The title field is required!

1. Joe Wachter

   

   5 posts
   
   1/26/2012 8:01 AM

   During public course days, you either call me and ask if it is possible for a comp or no special treatment. Perk of the industry, at my course yes. At someone else's place, who am I to say someone has to give me something for free. If I'm able to give a comp, I will do it if the person follows some simple courtesy.
   
   I would never expect to play a private facility unless I was a guest or the superintendent was asked to play as well.
   
   Expecting prime time tee slots and being comped is disrespectful at the least. Being a part of a industry that is having serious financial difficulties and expecting something for free is irresponsible. Some guys sound like the golfing public that everyone deals with regularly.
   
   I can imagine the guys in the sunbelt get hit with every tom, dick and harry who say they work at a golf course in some kind of capacity to get something for free all of the time. I completely understand how some tight controls on comps are needed.

   
   
   
   
2. James Smith

   

   112 posts
   
   1/26/2012 1:01 PM

   The only time I played golf out of my area was once when I took a trip to the smokies. I had my Pro call the club to book me a tee time during the week and asked if my wife could ride along. I had no intentions of getting comp'd only to play the course. When I arrived early I introduced myself and asked if the Super would be around so I could introduce myself to him, since he was busy they sent us out to play and charged me a cart fee. After finding out about the comp'd round I sent my wife back in and had her buy a really nice shirt from the pro shop. After the round was over we went back in and thanked them for a great time and I got the Supers number and called him later and told him how nice the course was.
   
   I will admit it was nice to be taken care of, especially since we did not expect it. We ate lunch at the club and spent some money in the process of buying a few souvenirs and drinks.
   
   All of the other times I played other courses it was through tournaments where I paid and did not contact the Superintendent not wanting to sound like I wanted a comp'd round. I personally do not have an issue with other Supers not contacting me if they are paying but if they are looking for me to hook them up they need to give me notice and take what tee times we have available.

   
   
   
   
3. Matthew Neff

   

   0 posts
   
   1/26/2012 9:01 PM

   I was always under the impression that the spirit of the whole comp thing was reciprocity - I play your place for free and in turn you play mine. My point is that you guys in Florida, California, Vegas, etc. probably get the shaft on that becasue I highly doubt any of you are in the midst of planning your vacation of a lifetime to the Midwest anytime soon.

   
   
   
   
4. Fleegel Timothy

   
   1/26/2012 10:01 PM

   Matthew I believe that too. However, be professional and courteous and get a hold of me ahead of time and don't expect the prime spots for nothing.

   
   
   
   
5. Matthew Neff

   

   0 posts
   
   1/27/2012 8:01 PM

   Completely agree, Tim. I personally don't really even feel comfortable asking to be comped (not saying there's anything wrong with it) - I'd rather just pay.

   
   
   
   
6. Steven Huffstutler

   

   11 posts
   
   1/31/2012 5:01 AM

   For me the issue is not the number of comped round handed out, but a simple professional courtesy. If you can't take the time to get hold of me and ask for a round, then you can't play here....not that you would want to...it's a dog track...and the greenkeeper is a jerk.
   
   Regards,
   
   Steve

   
   
   
   
7. McCallum David K

   
   1/31/2012 6:01 AM

   One of the rare times Steve and I totally agree on a topic. Basically it boils down to simple courtesy. A simple phone call prior to visiting the facility is not to much to ask. Look up the supt's name in the directory, online to say you're coming if you expect or hope for comped golf. If not, show up, pay up and shut up

   
   
   
   
8. Melvin Waldron

   

   43 posts
   
   1/31/2012 7:01 AM

   David McCallum said: One of the rare times Steve and I totally agree on a topic. Basically it boils down to simple courtesy. A simple phone call prior to visiting the facility is not to much to ask. Look up the supt's name in the directory, online to say you're coming if you expect or hope for comped golf. If not, show up, pay up and shut up

   
   
   David, glad you spelled that out, I thought you might have been agreeing with Steve on the other issues.
   
   Mel

   
   Melvin H. Waldron III, CGCS, Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield/Greene County MO
   
   
9. Larry Allan

   

   0 posts
   
   1/31/2012 9:01 AM

   Mel, when did you become Melvin H. Waldron III? I don't recall seeing 3rd behind (after) your name before

   
   
   
   
10. Melvin Waldron

    

    43 posts
    
    1/31/2012 10:01 AM

    Larry Allan said: Mel, when did you become Melvin H. Waldron III? I don't recall seeing 3rd behind (after) your name before

    
    
    Larry, when I was born....
    
    I can't remember if that was in my signature on the old forums but I think it has been when I made my signature here in the new forum, I think? Ever since I joined GCSAA I have been the third.
    
    Mel

    
    Melvin H. Waldron III, CGCS, Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield/Greene County MO
    
    
11. Jeremy Hreben

    

    0 posts
    
    2/1/2012 2:02 PM

    Do what I do, work at a place nobody wants to play!!!!!!!!!!!!

    
    
    
    
12. Clay Putnam

    

    33 posts
    
    2/1/2012 8:02 PM

    Melvin Waldron, CGCS said:

    Larry Allan said: Mel, when did you become Melvin H. Waldron III? I don't recall seeing 3rd behind (after) your name before

    
    
    Larry, when I was born....
    
    
    Mel

    
    
    That-a-boy Mel. Those Canadians, you have to spell everything out for them.

    
    
    
    
13. Larry Allan

    

    0 posts
    
    2/2/2012 8:02 AM

    I will admit Clay, we aint the brightest but at least we don't name our kids after a soil type. Now I will have Sandy all over my case as well.
    I thought maybe you could buy those numbers the way you guys buy the CGCS. I got my CGCS when I took my first job
    CGCS (Canadian Golf Course Superintendent)

    
    
    
    
14. McCallum David K

    
    2/2/2012 12:02 PM

    Ouch!

    
    
    
    
15. Clay Putnam

    

    33 posts
    
    2/2/2012 3:02 PM

    Larry Allan said: I will admit Clay, we aint the brightest but at least we don't name our kids after a soil type. Now I will have Sandy all over my case as well.
    I thought maybe you could buy those numbers the way you guys buy the CGCS. I got my CGCS when I took my first job
    CGCS (Canadian Golf Course Superintendent)

    
    
    A mighty tight and smooth soil type at that.

    
    
    
    
16. Melvin Waldron

    

    43 posts
    
    2/2/2012 7:02 PM

    I will say, our son is not the IVth. When we were picking names I was told their wouldn't be one and even he probably would have paid me to change it if it was.
    
    We picked a good golf name for a boy, Tiger would have been too obvious, but there were a good few Nick's. The highlight of that was he got his picture taken with Nick Price when he was 2 months old at the 97 PGA.
    
    Mel

    
    Melvin H. Waldron III, CGCS, Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield/Greene County MO
    
    
17. Diaz Robert E

    
    2/13/2012 10:02 AM

    GCSAA bylaws state even showing up on the property without notifying the supt. is a violation. Old school in Vt,
    call ahead,make a friend return the service, have fun. I could not afford to play the wonderful courses around me without the help of my fellow supt. thanks guys.

    
    
    
    
18. James Smith

    

    112 posts
    
    2/13/2012 12:02 PM

    If you were to take a vacation in my neck of the woods I would be happy to get you comp'd on my course. I do not see this as abusing the system. To me abusing the system is when you constantly play courses in your "driving distance" area.
    
    So anyone want to vacation in LaPlace La? We actually have our own PARADE coming this next Sunday. Gives us a chance to close our course since they will block the entrance to our drive anyway.
    
    Not much else here to do though.