Suggestions/ideas/What's Appropriate

[Dave_Miller]

This coming September (16 through 18 ) our Club, Charles River CC in the Boston Area, is hosting the 2003 USGA Men's State Team Championship.

This is a three day medal Championship, with teams of 3 players from each State, District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
156 players total.

It is customary for the host Club to present a gift to each of the players.  At past Championships these have ranged from Picture Frames to Shoe Bags.

My question to the Treehouse and to those out there that play in these type tournaments is;

What type of gift would you like to see from the host club.  Suggestions to date have ranged from Books, to crystal to Silver Driver Heads mounted on a base with Engraving.

Any suggestions?

Best,
Dave

[Mike_Sweeney]

Dave,

Thank goodness for my wife, as she is the picture taker of the house, and I really do appreciate it years later. A picture of the course/clubhouse with a engraved picture frame would be my suggestion.

[John_Conley]

Signed copies of Donald Ross's biography, ornate coasters, and etched glass paperweights are some of the things I've received at events that meant more than others.  They are lasting as opposed to consumables like shirts, balls, and towels.  For me, the duffel bag has been done to death.

The Ross book may work for you at Charles River in that it is meaningful and relevant to the club.

[George Pazin]

If your budget could handle it, I'd commission Mike Miller to do a print commemorating the event. I was at a chain restaurant a few months ago (can't remember which - I think a Damon's) & they had framed prints of the last 10 or so US Opens' event posters & they looked pretty cool. I'm sure you're aware of it, but you can see samples of his work under Art & Architecture on this site.

Me, I'd go with a t shirt!  

[John Foley]

Dave,

I saw a very nice, small framed architectural rendering done by Ross given away from either Monroe CC or Oak Hill for one of their tourneys. It was very nice and appropriate. See if your club has some thing from it's archives that would fit the bill.

JF

[Martin Del Vecchio]

How about a pint of water from the Charles River?  You know, of the "love that dirty water" variety?

[Ed_Baker]

O.K. Mr. Vice President, I smell another assessment coming.

How about a nice 3D model of the 5th green, I'm sure they will all remember that green fondly.

BTW, what committee did you put me on? Drinks and hijinks?

[A_Clay_Man]

Old Cliff Harris still has a beautiful set of crystal and silver engraved tumblers. He reflected onto me how all the other trophies he'd won weren't functional and decades latter he could still have a nip from one of these.

More of a trophy idea, but the notion of functionality is key. I do like the idea of a Miller litho, repro or original.

[Martin Del Vecchio]

How about a gift certificate for $5 off the weekday greens fees at the other classic Ross course near town?  It looks like Ponkapoag is up to $22, so that would be a 23% discount.