Changes are coming to the Discussion Group

[Mike_Cirba]

One wonders what fate will befall Huge "Puffy" Wilson.

Perhaps he'll just move on into the sunset, looking for other bunkers to upholster..  

Come back, Puffy.  

[Jfaspen]

Good ideas.  I havent been around long enough to notice the degregation of the board, but taking away the air of anoniminty on a professional board such as this should help to make it better.

Jeff

[Pat Sisk]

Thanks Ran.

Pat Sisk

[TEPaul]

"Next, 80-90% of the registered people who have never made a post will be deleted, to make room for people who do want to share their thoughts re: golf course architecture."

That's a very interesting number! I wonder how many serious posters we have now. Could it be no more than perhaps a couple of hundred? If so this 1000 cap still has tons of expansion for the way we are now!

"Everyone will always be able to follow the DG;  not everyone will be able to post."

That's very interesting too. I'm such a complete klutz on computers and technology and website technology I really wasn't even aware of that. Then that means that anyone at all can log on and read but only up to 1000 can register and post.  

If that's all so I wouldn't be averse to seeing this site list all those and their email addresses who are registered and can post on some section of this website so those who aren't registered and can't post could at least get in touch with us off the discussion group. I could be wrong but I believe if you aren't registered on this website you certainly can't use the IM feature on the discussion group---plus I'm told that IM feature if not occassionally cleared by all of us takes up unnecessary space.

These changes look good but let's not forget the ultimate dream of this website, at least to me, is to ultimately create better and real collaboration in architectural matters between who and what's on this discussion group and anyone else in the world out there at clubs and courses who might be looking for discussion and collaboration on golf architecture. How could this website ultimately get better and more useful than that?

[John Moore]

First post here but lurking for 6 + months.
   I agree with Mark T. . If I get deleted from being able to post in favor of someone who posts more frequently; not difficult , and with more knowledge and experience in gca then that's fine with me. Good to know that the discussions and especially the archives will remain open to all. The board and overall site are a great resource for anyone interested in learning about gca and there has been talk on some threads of creating two discussion groups. This is an excellent solution.

Best,
John Moore

[mike_malone]

 I kind of hate to see "mayday" go!!

[dfrey]

DFrey or Dale.........what is the difference.....I'll play by the new rules............just hope some of these lurkers using false names do not contact me to play my clubs!

[Jonathan Cummings]

I hope they don't try to see my clubs too!  After all, my clubs are old and rusty.  

Jonathan Cummings

[Sandman]

I feel so free now, I have been reborn...........I am like a phoenix, rising from Arizona.......I can throw away the mask and finally, now, finally be myself, no more Sandman.....hopefully this idea allows you to meet your goal but remeber this:  no matter what you do, people are still going to post stupid comments and insults............good luck

[Alfie]

MarkT says ;
Although I don't post a whole heck of a lot, I do definitely enjoy reading this site. If I am one to be excluded from the group of 1,000, so be it as I would rather not be able to participate in favor of someone who would do so more than I.

ditto as far as I'm concerned and any comments I make are usually inclined towards the Technology debate and history. So I suppose I'm not really a GCA'er anyway ?

I respect this site and believe this move will eradicate the stirrers whose only mission is to provoke the real thinkers in golf !

Alfie Ward.

[cary lichtenstein]

Quasssi is officially retired but remains my aol screen name for anyone who ever wants to email me.

I think these changes are great.

[Jeff Goldman]

Scott, I'm doing the South Course at Olympia Fields, so it is not a repeat.  Our terrific membership director, Gwen Russell, is going to help with her digital camera and should be able to help me put this together.  Also, I have spent some time in the historical archives and found a ton of interesting stuff about both courses.  I came upon a booklet from about 1925 which has pictures of the tee shots of all 4 courses, along with other pictures, descriptions and yardages (slightly different from those in Dan Wexler's book).  I also have seen a 1944 yearbook, just before the demise of courses 2 and 3, which describes how they planned to modify the (now) south course by using a bit of the soon-to-be NLE courses.  The original plan was to make the (now) 6th hole, the great drive and pitch par 4, into a par 3.  Luckily, that didn't happen.

  Blathering on too long about this, but the other thing I noticed is that the open holes then, and in the 20s, are the open holes on both courses now, and the holes through the trees appear to have about the same width.  Also, we apparently have yearly aerials going back a very long time.  The only thing missing is stuff about the greens, which I am told are documented somewhat in the board minutes because the board approved all changes to the courses.  I would need about 2 free weeks to go through this stuff.

Jeff Goldman

[Mickey Boland]

I too have lurked a lot more than I've posted, and have learned a lot from this board.  I think these are good changes.

[Gene Greco]

Oh NO!!!!!

No more SLAG BANDOON!!!!!!!

Norbert, please reintroduce yourself.


Gene (Greco)

[Scott_Burroughs]

Jeff,

That sounds like it'll be great stuff.  Look forward to it.


Gene,

I was trying to remain quiet about Slagbert, but he was my biggest wonder whether or not he'd "come out".

[cary lichtenstein]

Could someone please bring the long thread about "who we are" or something like that so I can put some real names to those posts.

[Slider8]

Slider8,

I don't mean to be overly critical here, but if you eliminate the use of "screen names" and mandate the use of "legal names", you may face a compromise in the OTHER direction (not the flamers) but the guys who have the access and knowledge of some pretty private courses. Simply stated, and as an example only, were I a member of Augusta National, and there were a thread on here about it, I would be VERY hesitant to make a post to clarify an error, or other such thing if I had to use my real name, therefore now outing myself as an Augusta member, not to mention, if it were sensetive (not top secret) information, I would now have also "outed" myself to the club, therefore running the risk of being ejected.

This is true, I've experienced it first hand, but, I'm sure that you'll come up with a solution to get your point across.

The same may also be true for people to try to gain even MORE access to difficult courses by knowing the names and associating the memberships those people carry.  All it takes is one "lurker" to start keeping a spreadsheet of names and associated clubs, next thing you know Joe Bob Hacker is calling me and saying "hey pal, i'm in Augusta and want to play the National.  Not that one would allow him to play, but just being bothered by this is worriesome.

I've posted under my own name and this has happened occassionally, but, it's not a big deal.
It's relatively easy to deal with

You may not be bothered by having to deal with this minor interruption, however, I value my time greatly and prefer not to have to constantly explain why I wish to not help "joe hacker" who BTW I have never met gain access to a certain course

Perhaps a better solution would be to get "registered screen names", therefore, allowing those who wish to remain hidden to the general public, would somehow be screened (and known) by Ran and / or the staff?

Why should everybody else post under their name, but you get to post under an anonymous name known only to Ran.
Come on out in the open, it makes for a more level playing field

Grow up.  I didn't make this post only for me, this was a general discussion topic, not directed at myself for my own personal gain, but as you can see from other posts, I am not the only one who shares this feeling. Do me a favor and find it in yourself to stop targeting me

Perhaps some may view the above as being "paranoid".  While I can see your side, you also have to ask yourself why so many posters use "screen names"?

Because, in some cases it's easier to launch personal attacks, hide, snipe and retreat, without fear of recrimination.

P.S.  Did you happen to read the first page of the business section of yesterday's New York Times ?

If not, I'd suggest getting a copy, it was very informative, especially if you were about to make a wager.

PPS  You just can't let something doe can you?  You are showing your true "sniping" colors again young man

[Donnie Beck]

The change is a nice concept, but I feel GCA is just going to be over taken by a crowd of Smith's and Johnson's  

[rgkeller]

The change is a nice concept, but I feel GCA is just going to be over taken by a crowd of Smith's and Johnson's  

Well, one suspects that the "Smiths and Johnsons" will suffer the same fate here as the tragically named "ThreePutt."

[Mike Hendren]

"Kinda makes you wonder what it must have been like in that closet before everybody came out!"
 - The Late Lewis Grizzard

I just hope nobody tries to pass themselves off as, say, Norbert Painter

Mike

[RJ_Daley]

I can't help but morn the possible passing of Slag Bandoon.  Most of us who hope to make the cut of the fortunate 1000 and who have been on this site for years know the man with the greatest moniker on this site or maybe in golf (Shivas comes close but was already used in the book).  I still think Slag ought to draw a golf cartoon character and then copywrite the name.  

Can I stick with RJ Daley rather than run the risk of being called "thingy" Daley?

[peter_p]

I think Slagbert is deep in consultation with Dr. Katz at the moment.

[W.H. Cosgrove]

I feel anonymous using my real name.  Even people who know me won't recognize me!

[jim_lewis]

I haven't spent much time on this site lately and have not posted in several months. Given the new rules,which address many of the reasons for my absence, I will be happy to participate again, IF I am lucky enough to be selected as a qualified member.

[Dunlop_White]

Ran -- Thanks again for this website. I hope these modifications will help the DG!  Dunlop

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