GolfClubAtlas.com > Golf Course Architecture Discussion Group
Artisan Members
Duncan Cheslett:
Sean makes a very good case from a purely logical point of view; however there is little logic in the vaguaries of the British class system.
Undoubtedly, for all the advantages they may offer less affluent local golfers as regards access to a good course, separate artisan clubs within the grounds of a members club are an anachronism of Victorian and Edwardian class division. It is unthinkable that such a club could be established today without attracting almost universal derision.
I am put in mind of an old episode of Midsomer Murders based around a golf club with just such an Artisan's club. http://www.midsomermurders.org/dogleg.htm
How accurate a picture of life at a smart Home Counties golf club this drama painted I do not know but it didn't half feed the predjudices of a South Manchester suburbanite!
I am thankful to belong to a predominantly blue-collar club which has absolutely no restrictions on eligibility for full membership other than being able to stump up seventy five quid a month.
My thoughts in starting this thread were more about doing work for the club in lieu of payment of the subscription rather than a separate club for serfs. As I get older however, I might want to have someone to look down on and so think that an artisan club would be a good idea!
;D
Scott Warren:
Funny, someone might need to point out to me how less affluent locals gain membership to Merion, Royal Melbourne, Morfontaine, San Francisco GC etc.
The British class system has its issues, IMO, as an outsider who got to view certain parts of it from close quarters, but the Artisan golfclub scheme isn't one of those issues.
The only difference between the main club/artisan model and for instance Oakmont and the muni to its north is that under the artisan model the less affluent members get to play as good a course as those who are loaded or born into the fast lane.
It's a fairly universal aspect of golf that the very best courses belong to clubs populated by wealthier folks, with exceptions of public courses and more across-the-board clubs.
Even in Australia, one of the most egalitarian countries of them all, you're stumping up between $14k and $30k to join one of the top clubs and that is beyond most people's means.
Kalen: As with the Redan threads, it's enviable the level of certainty profound ignorance allows you to arrive at.
Mark Chaplin:
Other than the policeman the first person Scott played with at Royal Cinque Ports was the fireman and he was then set up to play with the lawyer, lighting designer and grain salesman. As I have always said the criteria for membership at RCP is roughly as follows; you are first and foremost good company, you respect the game and the traditions of the club, finally you can get around the course in a competent manner without undue delay.
Scott one thing with our system is cash is not king and as I alluded to in an earlier post I cannot imagine the mix of members referred to above being the standard set up at the finest clubs in the USA.
Kalen Braley:
--- Quote from: Scott Warren on July 03, 2011, 07:27:54 AM ---
Kalen: As with the Redan threads, it's enviable the level of certainty profound ignorance allows you to arrive at.
--- End quote ---
Scott,
I must admit, I am intrigued by this comment.
But if you are referring to my comments on a certain hole in that competition, my only point was to express that it was supposed to be a "redan hole" competition. Not a "which hole is the coolest looking that kind of resembles a redan"
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