Courtesy call for superintendent playing your course Cancel The title field is required!

1. Mark Murphy

   

   0 posts
   
   3/27/2014 7:03 PM

   Is it still industry courtesy for other Superintendents to play your property to reach out to you to let them know they are coming out to play? I have always done it.

   
   
   
   
2. Andy Scott

   

   0 posts
   
   3/27/2014 7:03 PM

   I do it and I have guys call me as well.

   
   
   
   
3. Jeffrey Gyselman

   

   2 posts
   
   3/27/2014 9:03 PM

   I do it as well and I appreciate when others call me. I have had local supers come out and play my course without letting me know. They know the GM, so I guess they don't feel that they need to let me know or they don't know any better. Regardless, I appreciate the effort.

   
   
   
   
4. Anthony Nysse

   

   1 posts
   
   3/28/2014 5:03 AM

   Jeffrey Gyselman said: I do it as well and I appreciate when others call me. I have had local supers come out and play my course without letting me know. They know the GM, so I guess they don't feel that they need to let me know or they don't know any better. Regardless, I appreciate the effort.

   
   
   I think its always professional and respectful to notify the host Superintendent. I always like to shake a hand of the fellow Superintendents, also.

   
   
   
   
5. Larry Allan

   

   0 posts
   
   3/28/2014 8:03 AM

   It should be mandatory in both directions

   
   
   
   
6. Clay Putnam

   

   33 posts
   
   3/28/2014 9:03 AM

   I generally call the superintendent ahead of time. I usually play on the weekends and in the afternoon. There have been times when I played on a last minute notice and did not get in touch with the superintendent. I then would call the super the next day or two to let him/her know that I played. I rarely announce myself as superintendent when paying my greens fees unless the round was set up by the local super.

   
   
   
   
7. Kevin Girt

   

   0 posts
   
   3/28/2014 9:03 AM

   If the superintendent calls ahead of time I'll comp his round, if he just shows up I'm not as likely to. A little consideration is nice.

   
   
   
   
8. Sean Hoolehan

   

   0 posts
   
   3/29/2014 10:03 AM

   I don't loose sleep over it. Some guys are passing through and just decide to stop. If they call the Pro-shop or flash a card at the counter they will be directed to get their comp from me. If they can not get a hold of me I leave it up to the discretion of the Pro-Shop and then its all about how busy we are. When we host Pro-Ams/tournaments there will be Superintendents on teams (i just assume) and that does not bother me. I will bend over backward to take care of a fellow GCSAA member, even take care of their crew members, family. Its all based on availability of course. If a guy is paying for his golf I don't expect a call but sometimes they will after just as a courtesy.
   
   I will generally pay for golf if its last minute travel. Last year my brother in law wanted me to play his new country club in Alabama (I was more interested in fishing Smith Lake) I figured I would just pay and use some of his old clubs. He introduced me to the golf Pro and the next thing I know I am playing with a nice set of new demo Taylormade's and some new balls. Southern Hospitality at its best. I ran into the Superintendent on the course and introduced myself. I was not expecting to play any golf on this trip but I have to say I was glad I did and happy to meet some excellent people and really enjoyed the golf course.

   
   
   
   
9. Wahlin Scott B

   
   3/29/2014 1:03 PM

   I spent the past 12 years working at a municipal course. The tradition before my arrival was that many superintendents play there. It never bothered me that they did not call.

   
   
   
   
10. Jeffrey Urquhart

    

    0 posts
    
    3/29/2014 8:03 PM

    100% call the guy first.

    
    
    
    
11. Andy Jorgensen

    

    1 posts
    
    3/30/2014 8:03 AM

    If you are a paying player like everyone else, please don't waste my time by calling. Course record is 61 and the first tee is across the street. Have fun.
    
    If you are wanting to mooch a free round and call me about it, I'll do my best but this is all based on availability. Don't expect a return call right away and please don't hound me about it. I'm doing you a favor by letting you play my course, not the other way around. If I forget about you, sorry, you aren't my highest priority. Also remember that I'm not going to make you a tee time further out than what our paying members get. Call me three days prior, not three weeks. Better yet, you make the time, then call me. Keep in mind that we get slammed with free requests this time of the year. Seems everyone is a Superintendent or golf pro from up north. Sometimes I just gotta say no.

    
    
    
    
12. Curtis Nickerson

    

    0 posts
    
    3/30/2014 11:03 AM

    I'm with Andy on this one...if your paying, have at it and enjoy! If your looking for a comp call me, not while your standing at the counter in the golf shop after you toss your card up for a freebie. And not a month out to reserve a spot...
    
    But be considerate, this is when we are busy and make the most of our revenue it's a short season...

    
    
    
    
13. James Smith

    

    112 posts
    
    4/7/2014 10:04 AM

    I am with Andy too!
    
    What ever happened to letting your Golf Pro make you a tee time? I know I had done this a few times but I was not expecting any discounts. just thought it would be courteous. A lot of supers are generally too busy to be asking for free golf. If I play anywhere I expect to pay to price, while I may show my card it is just to show them that I am a superintendent and not to try to get a discount.
    
    If I do get a discount I generally turn right back around and buy something in the proshop to give them that business back for the discount.

    
    
    
    
14. Clay Putnam

    

    33 posts
    
    4/10/2014 9:04 AM

    Just ran into this scenario. I'm playing a course this Sunday. I looked up the superintendent via the GCSAA Membership Directory. Called the number listed - wrong number. The person on the other end of the line gave me the correct number for this super. Called the alternative number - no answer and no mailbox is set up to leave a message. So I emailed the super. The email was returned as non-deliverable. Maybe I'll leave a note on the maintenance door.

    
    
    
    
15. Michael Posey

    

    0 posts
    
    4/11/2014 10:04 PM

    I always try to contact them if I am paying or not. If they are available I like for them to find me so I can meet them if I don't know them. To me, letting them know is a sign of respect.

    
    
    
    
16. Diaz Robert E

    
    4/16/2014 10:04 AM

    If you are member of this association our by-laws read you must make your presence known. Simple courtesy I even call the super if any crew is going to play , this usually results in comp. rounds.

    
    
    
    
17. Gary Carls

    

    19 posts
    
    4/16/2014 3:04 PM

    I usually make my best effort to let fellow superintendents know when I am playing their courses. Usually doesn't happen that much anyway because I don't play that often other than at chapter meetings. On the few occasions where I didn't really know in advance and couldn't contact the superintendent I would try to leave my business card and a note for the superintendent in the golf shop. Doesn't seem like a big deal to do at least that much.

    
    Gary K. Carls, CGCS, President - Oakland Turfgrass Education Initiative
    
    
18. Mark Patterson

    

    0 posts
    
    5/17/2014 12:05 PM

    Who has time to play golf at someone else's course?!?!?!?!

    
    
    
    
19. John Hansgen

    

    0 posts
    
    7/18/2014 12:07 AM

    We work our tails off and one of the perks of our profession is the opportunity to play golf often times complimentary. I always make an effort to arrange golf for the group if we aren't slammed. I always learn from the time I have spent on others courses and its much easier to enjoy a round at others courses, not worrying about what needs to be done at my shorthanded facility. I love the brotherhood of the golf superintendent. The comped golf I enjoy makes the daily grind a little easier. If any of you are treated poorly at other facilities when lining up golf call me whenever in Utah, I may be able to line up some skiing as well, and I hope my fellow supers would return the favor. You boys that are worried about a dollar slipping through the cracks go get a massage and loosen up. Also if you can't get a hold of me our pro shop is great and values the work us supers do and will try to accommodate you as well. Don't worry Andy I won't be calling you. I'll gladly pay instead of having to squeeze a courtesy round from a super who prefers to stick it to his industry peers that happily would roll out the red carpet for him, even unannounced.

    
    
    
    
20. Charles Denham

    

    1 posts
    
    7/18/2014 7:07 AM

    +1+1

    
    
    
    
21. Smith Kerry L

    
    7/18/2014 3:07 PM

    I hear you John but I didn't read Andy that way. What I think he was saying is that being in an area like Florida he gets MANY more request for comp rounds that most. With that said I think he will try to accommodate when possible but his facility will only bless so many free rounds. JMO, not speaking for Andy. Paying customers come first just like members do here.

    
    
    
    
22. Curtis Nickerson

    

    0 posts
    
    7/20/2014 6:07 PM

    I can't speak for Andy, but I'm located in Florida and I tracked the requests from "the industry" we had this past winter (our busy season). I was shocked at the number! We had 39 requests (that I was aware of) for "professional courtesy" to play free/discounted golf. Most were foursome, none were less than twosomes, and this number does not include the pro's or any "local" industry folks, and everyone of the above requests were for tee times before lunchtime....

    
    
    
    
23. Clay Putnam

    

    33 posts
    
    7/21/2014 6:07 AM

    Curtis Nickerson said: I can't speak for Andy, but I'm located in Florida and I tracked the requests from "the industry" we had this past winter (our busy season). I was shocked at the number! We had 39 requests (that I was aware of) for "professional courtesy" to play free/discounted golf. Most were foursome, none were less than twosomes, and this number does not include the pro's or any "local" industry folks, and everyone of the above requests were for tee times before lunchtime....

    
    
    Curtis,
    
    Wow-wee, that's a lot of lost revenue. Does your course have a "comped golf" policy limiting the number of comped rounds during any given week, limiting the comped round to the card holder only, etc?

    
    
    
    
24. Andy Jorgensen

    

    1 posts
    
    7/21/2014 2:07 PM

    John Hansgen said: We work our tails off and one of the perks of our profession is the opportunity to play golf often times complimentary. I always make an effort to arrange golf for the group if we aren't slammed. I always learn from the time I have spent on others courses and its much easier to enjoy a round at others courses, not worrying about what needs to be done at my shorthanded facility. I love the brotherhood of the golf superintendent. The comped golf I enjoy makes the daily grind a little easier. If any of you are treated poorly at other facilities when lining up golf call me whenever in Utah, I may be able to line up some skiing as well, and I hope my fellow supers would return the favor. You boys that are worried about a dollar slipping through the cracks go get a massage and loosen up. Also if you can't get a hold of me our pro shop is great and values the work us supers do and will try to accommodate you as well. Don't worry Andy I won't be calling you. I'll gladly pay instead of having to squeeze a courtesy round from a super who prefers to stick it to his industry peers that happily would roll out the red carpet for him, even unannounced.

    
    
    
    John,
    
    It's not that I don't want you or someone in the industry playing my course. Honestly, I do enjoy meeting the guys from out of town. But, Florida during the winter is nuts when it comes to golf. Giving up a high dollar tee time or worse, shooing a member away because of a comped round is not in the best business interest of the club. I can get anywhere from 2-4 requests a WEEK from both local and visiting Superintendent's to bring a group out during our busy months. If I were to grant all of them, that's over $16k in lost revenue during our five month busy season when 80% of our revenue comes in. Now if it were 2:00 on a Tuesday in July, come on out. Just remember to make the tee time first, then email me.
    
    At the end of the day, our bottom line is what counts the most. My job requires that I protect the investment as much as possible. Giving away free golf at every request during our busy season would not be very good on my part or in the long-term interest of the club.

    
    
    
    
25. Anthony Nysse

    

    1 posts
    
    7/22/2014 4:07 AM

    Andy Jorgensen said:

    John Hansgen said: We work our tails off and one of the perks of our profession is the opportunity to play golf often times complimentary. I always make an effort to arrange golf for the group if we aren't slammed. I always learn from the time I have spent on others courses and its much easier to enjoy a round at others courses, not worrying about what needs to be done at my shorthanded facility. I love the brotherhood of the golf superintendent. The comped golf I enjoy makes the daily grind a little easier. If any of you are treated poorly at other facilities when lining up golf call me whenever in Utah, I may be able to line up some skiing as well, and I hope my fellow supers would return the favor. You boys that are worried about a dollar slipping through the cracks go get a massage and loosen up. Also if you can't get a hold of me our pro shop is great and values the work us supers do and will try to accommodate you as well. Don't worry Andy I won't be calling you. I'll gladly pay instead of having to squeeze a courtesy round from a super who prefers to stick it to his industry peers that happily would roll out the red carpet for him, even unannounced.

    
    
    
    John,
    
    It's not that I don't want you or someone in the industry playing my course. Honestly, I do enjoy meeting the guys from out of town. But, Florida during the winter is nuts when it comes to golf. Giving up a high dollar tee time or worse, shooing a member away because of a comped round is not in the best business interest of the club. I can get anywhere from 2-4 requests a WEEK from both local and visiting Superintendent's to bring a group out during our busy months. If I were to grant all of them, that's over $16k in lost revenue during our five month busy season when 80% of our revenue comes in. Now if it were 2:00 on a Tuesday in July, come on out. Just remember to make the tee time first, then email me.
    
    At the end of the day, our bottom line is what counts the most. My job requires that I protect the investment as much as possible. Giving away free golf at every request during our busy season would not be very good on my part or in the long-term interest of the club.

    
    
    You couldn't be more right, Andy. I think that we all have to remember that we "asking" for golf, we are at the mercy of the facility, regardless if we are in the business or not. In the FL, the months of Dec-April are packed. Every course with a short window to complete 18 holes. It's dark by 5:30. In many cases, if you don't tee off by 1:30, it might be dark on 18 green. For us, that's less than 9hrs of golfing time. I always do what I can to accommodate, but at the end of the day, members get bills, we get checks. It's their course. They come first.

    
    
    
    
26. John Hansgen

    

    0 posts
    
    7/22/2014 8:07 AM

    Andy Jorgensen said: If you are a paying player like everyone else, please don't waste my time by calling. Course record is 61 and the first tee is across the street. Have fun.
    
    If you are wanting to mooch a free round and call me about it, I'll do my best but this is all based on availability. Don't expect a return call right away and please don't hound me about it. I'm doing you a favor by letting you play my course, not the other way around. If I forget about you, sorry, you aren't my highest priority. Also remember that I'm not going to make you a tee time further out than what our paying members get. Call me three days prior, not three weeks. Better yet, you make the time, then call me. Keep in mind that we get slammed with free requests this time of the year. Seems everyone is a Superintendent or golf pro from up north. Sometimes I just gotta say no.

    . First of all, when I arrange to play I call the pro shop and make sure there are open times on the tee sheet so I am not taking a paid time, if it is busy I either pay or I try another track. I don't expect to "mooch" a round. I try not to take a paid spot from any course. Phoenix has similar market to Florida and yes we have a responsibility to our clubs and their bottom line. As a guest I am considerate of that fact. Most supers I deal with are as well. Winter is busy and if you are booked solid with 0 openings good for your facility, I have yet to be at a place that was 100% booked Nov.- April. If that is the case I wouldn't attempt to pIay. I expect to pay and appreciate any help whether that be comped golf or just the chance to play a private club I may not have access to other than through the contacts of our organization. I ain't mooching jack. You obviously have dealt with some inconsiderate supers that hound and mooch, I am not that guy. I love our association and have a great deal of respect for those in our industry. Bottom line be considerate of the facility you are trying to play and be considerate of the visiting "moochers" from up north.

    
    
    
    
27. Alan Hess

    

    0 posts
    
    7/22/2014 8:07 AM

    I never call expecting a totally free round of golf. Sometimes if it is someone I know well they may offer that. However, 99% of clubs now have a policy for GCSAA/PGA discounting fees they follow at POS. Eventually, when I travel and play with my sons I gladly follow the club's policy when checking in. When I play I pay and still after discounts and buying clothing my family will spend over $500 for our visit. Searching for free golf every time is not worth it.

    
    
    
    
28. Darren Graf

    

    0 posts
    
    1/17/2015 12:01 PM

    Absolutely! It is the right thing to do. I call whenever I want to play another golf course when possible I do it about 3 days ahead of schedule. I think it is professional and respectful.