And my funny snobby club moment.
When I was about 14 I was getting in to golf. Got the World Atlas and read it over and over.
So I wrote to a number of top clubs, explained I was 14 and learning about the great golf courses of the world, and asked politely for a scorecard.
Most clubs graciously mailed me a card, to which I responded with thank you letters. Augusta even mailed me a history book on the Masters, a pairing sheet from Sunday of that year's Masters, and scorecards that the members used and the official Master's scorecard! All for the price of my stamp.
The Pine Valley secretary, on the other hand, wrote back on club stationary and explained that unless I was a member, to please not contact them. It'd have been faster to mail me the scorecard!
I still have that letter. I figured one day, maybe I'd frame it overtop the scorecard from the round I'll play there.
These days I just don't care if I ever play there or not. I relish the chances I've had to play places like Oakmont. But I don't go out of my way to seek invitations. It's fascinating to walk in Hogan's footsteps. But it is just as fascinating to me to play get on Black twice in two days just 6 weeks after the 2002 Open, or to play in my league at my club this Saturday morning with the guys.