[Dan Byrnes]

The assistant pro at my club is a pretty good player.  Wins just about all the sectional events, has a top 2 in the National Assistants Championships, playing in the club pro, section Open qualifier winner, several mini tour wins.  He is in mid 30's and working hard to get to the next level.  So top level events are a big deal to him.

Recently our sections US Open Qualifier was hosted at a McGregor Links.  The course conditions were awful from a maintenance point of view, they weren't to open to practice rounds either.  While I realize they are a private club but why host the event if you don't do it right.  It is important to these folks and a reflection of the club.

Today he tells me that the host of the Massachusetts Open said the couldn't  accomadate a practice round on a Sunday afternoon for him.  Now the club did give some availability a few weeks earlier but he had another event and couldn't make it.  Really?  The club is that busy on a Sunday evening?  Seems strange.

He shakes it off like the professional he is but I was surprised.

When events like this have been played at clubs where I have been a member it was never an issue.  I would host any of these folks myself but I wouldn't tolerate my club treating folks like this.  I would be embarrassed.

He was invited to a Taylor Made event at Myopia Hunt and he asked to just look at the course let alone play it.  No, was the answer. This event is a regional tournament for Tayor Made staffers and a national qualifier.  I understand Myopia is a high end place but surely they could accommodate him?

So for these two events he has to play with no practice round.

I was really disappointed to hear this.  Am I just imagining that it shouldn't be like this?

Dan 

[Paul Jones]

Dan,

I am surprised to hear that - I would think all clubs would allow one practice round the week or day before the tournament.  Do they really expect all the players to know a member to play with and/or sponsor them?  The local tournaments I play in, always have a practice round usually the day before the tournament.

[John Kavanaugh]

This is pretty typical. A private club is kind enough to lend their course for a qualifier. They even open the course up for practice rounds on specific dates.  Thank yous are in order, but noooooooo, they get bitching about lousy conditioning and are called rude for not giving in to every players schedule and whims. No good deed ever goes unpunished.

[Dan_Callahan]

I just coached at a high school year-end tournament that was hosted by a private club on Cape Cod. They could not have been more accommodating. The tournament was last Monday. They allowed teams to come down the Sunday before to play a practice round. I also know of a few schools that went down earlier in the season and were permitted to play. This course had nothing to gain financially, yet they treated us like we were all members. It was great to see a nice place like that show such a commitment to junior golf.

[Mark Johnson]

To host any USGA qualifier, you need to make a block open for practice rounds.

The thing is that there is no regulation on when that time is or how much they can charge for it.   Often, clubs who are shutting down their course for a day, wont want to shut it down the day before as well.   To you point, if you are going to host a practice round, then you should do it right.

Personally, I have never had an issue playing a practice round before any tournament, however, it is rare for the block of availability to be the day before the tourney.

[Jim_Kennedy]

It doesn't 'feel' right to deny the practice round, but Walpole CC has hosted numerous MGA, NEPGA, USGA events, etc., in the past. They did offer up some times for practice rounds, and that puts them squarely in the column of privates allowing access.

[Carl Johnson]

To host any USGA qualifier, you need to make a block open for practice rounds.

. . .  To you point, if you are going to host a practice round, then you should do it right. . . .

On the one hand, the clubs should do it right.  On the other hand, I think it's up to the USGA, local section, PGA Tour, etc. to select as hosts for their qualifiers, etc., only those courses that will meet their terms and conditions regarding availability for practice rounds.  I'm not sure how much they pay the clubs to host these events -- maybe they need to increase the fees they pay somewhat, and then they could require better opportunities for the competitors.

[Dan Byrnes]

This is pretty typical. A private club is kind enough to lend their course for a qualifier. They even open the course up for practice rounds on specific dates.  Thank yous are in order, but noooooooo, they get bitching about lousy conditioning and are called rude for not giving in to every players schedule and whims. No good deed ever goes unpunished.

I don't think that is the case at all..  It's not like these guys don't pay $150 for the qualifier.  For the McGregor scenario it's clearly an issue of the local USGA not making sure the course is up to the job.  Don't sure how this process works but I am working to find out.   It seems a better job could be done but I don't know all the facts so not ready to say that for sure.

I guess it's a matter of if the club believes holding such an event is doing something good for golf or an inconvienience?

I hosted the NY Seniors while was President and we pulled out all the stops to accommodate the players.  It was a reflection on the club in how it would handle such an event.  Players were extremely pleased overall. That course would gladly host the US Open qualifier today and do a great job and supply the best conditions and accomadations possible.

My other club hosted the NYS Am more than once and every effort was made to ensure top conditions and opportunities to play practice rounds and support the players anyway the club could.

Dan

[Mike_Trenham]

Any club that does not volunteer to host a one day event every three years should have their members dues to the golf association and handicap fees doubled.  The same clubs seem to always host events.

[Mark Steffey]

there is nothing wrong with a club having a set time for practice rounds prior to qualifiers.  i think it would be a big help in decisions where one decides to qualify if when you make your selection you had the times and dates of practice rounds available.  i know in MA there are a number of sites and you can choose between public and private.  i don't think a private club should be expected to make itself as available to competitors to practice as a public course.  if this guy wanted to play a practice round at his choosing, then if available he could have searched out a public courses.  if you choose to qualify at a private course and they have a set date to offer and if you are not available for that time, my thought is 'tough'.   if you had something else to do during the qualifier itself, you probably wouldn't be able to play another day and just turn in your scorecard (obviously).  a good lesson here is not to sign up for everything and schedule within your means.

the clubs make themselves available for their associations as a courtesy.  i, along with many others, play with my kids weekend afternoons.  i would expect my club management to realize that it is not in the clubs best interest to have this time taken by outsiders when a viable alternative is available (such as the said set time for participants to practice).  at the end of the day clubs have to take care of their members first.  these days especially.

all this given, it is always ok to accept phone calls and see if anything is open or available.  worse that can happen is you hear "no".  i think this guy gets that.
i would also encourage clubs to have a sheet where better players can let themselves be available to play with competitive visitors who want to see the course

*for some of these events (state am, state mid am, state sr) there are only a handful of players that have a chance to win.  we see their names every year.  the others are fodder for fees and who hone their game here to take home and compete in club matches - or just guys who want an 'in' on private tracks.  so open invitations for practice rounds are asking a bit much.
**this taylormade event sounds like a glorified outing.  i'd have to vote "no" for practice rounds to an outing. 

[Sam Morrow]

In the original post what does poor condition have to do with anything?

[Michael Whitaker]

This is pretty typical. A private club is kind enough to lend their course for a qualifier. They even open the course up for practice rounds on specific dates.  Thank yous are in order, but noooooooo, they get bitching about lousy conditioning and are called rude for not giving in to every players schedule and whims. No good deed ever goes unpunished.

Sorry, John, but it is not typical. Clubs don't give their course for free... they get paid for every player, at a price they negotiate long in advance... and, practice round availability (at a price) is ALWAYS part of the deal when hosting a significant event. If a club tried to pull that crap on us in SC we would never give them another event.

[John Kavanaugh]

In the original post what does poor condition have to do with anything?

This assistant pro sees poor conditioning as a personal insult. How dare a club so ill prepared host such a worthy event filled with such stewards of the game.

Mike,

The club offered practice rounds at a specified date when the assistant chose to play somewhere else. $150 does not buy an unlimited play membership.

[Sam Morrow]

In the original post what does poor condition have to do with anything?

This assistant pro sees poor conditioning as a personal insult. How dare a club so ill prepared host such a worthy event filled with such stewards of the game.

Mike,

The club offered practice rounds at a specified date when the assistant chose to play somewhere else. $150 does not buy an unlimited play membership.

No offense to the original poster but I don't think we are hearing the whole story, I don't think he is keeping from us and I'm not sure if the assistant in question knows the whole story, I think there might be bad blood between clubs in the past.

Plus even if it's a dick move not to allow practice rounds it's still a level playing field if nobody gets practice rounds.

[Dan Byrnes]

In the original post what does poor condition have to do with anything?

This has nothing to do with the assistant pro in mention. 

This is purely my question based on my conversations with him and many other participants.  He had no issues wtth the conditions and you get what you get. 

I am just surprised that after the experiences I have seen in hosting State and othe high profile events that the local USGA doesn't have better options or control over things. 

I was wondering if my personal experiences were the norm.  The events I have been involved with did everything to be sure conditions were the best the could be and that we accommodated all the players needs the best we could.  It was a point of pride for the club to be an excellent host.

Dan

[Dan Byrnes]

In the original post what does poor condition have to do with anything?

This assistant pro sees poor conditioning as a personal insult. How dare a club so ill prepared host such a worthy event filled with such stewards of the game.

Mike,

The club offered practice rounds at a specified date when the assistant chose to play somewhere else. $150 does not buy an unlimited play membership.

John,

The assistant hasn't complained once.  It is my view we are discussing here, so you don't need to speak for either of us.  I was simply asking is this the norm or were my previous experiences the exception?  I am sure we all realize that $150 doesn't give unlimited play I just would expect they might try and help the guy out.  I would be very unhappy if my club didn't and was curious what the folks here thought.

Dan

[Dan Byrnes]

Please delete

[John Kavanaugh]

Dan,

It was my understating that the assistant told you about his injustices. Looks like I owe him an apology. Something I could use a few practice rounds of myself.

[Dan Byrnes]

Again a double post.  My apologizes.

[Dan Byrnes]

Dan,

It was my understating that the assistant told you about his injustices. Looks like I owe him an apology. Something I could use a few practice rounds of myself.

He certainly told me about not being able to get a practice round because of his schedule, but wasn't complaining.  I just was surprised when he inquired for these rounds he was rejected.  So only disappointment on his part not complaining.  I guess I am doing that for him as it isn't doesn't match my experiences.

Dan

[John Kavanaugh]

Just the fact that he wins so many tournaments both locally and nationally has to make you wonder why he couldn't call a fellow assistant and get on, tournament or not. These guys are not paid well and professional courtesy is one of their few perks.

This is 100% different from a civilian asking to play.

[Dan Byrnes]

Just the fact that he wins so many tournaments both locally and nationally has to make you wonder why he couldn't call a fellow assistant and get on, tournament or not. These guys are not paid well and professional courtesy is one of their few perks.

This is 100% different from a civilian asking to play.

He did call and the reposnse from the other clubs staff was in my opinion rude..  He shook it off as their club their rules.  Once gain if a player was treated in a similar manner at my club I would be embarrassed. My point is not to tit for tat about another club but I thought it was more common for a club to embrace such a competition and want the participants to walk away impressed with both the club and the event.

Dan

[Jonathan Decker]

Dan & John,

Both of you make many valid points, and its unfortunate your assistant was not able to get a practice round in at the state open site.  

As someone who has been a staff member and participated at clubs hosting MI Am, MI Opens, US Open Locals, Big Ten Conference Championships, Terra Cotta Invitational, and many PGA Section and state events, the most important thing when hosting practice rounds is to be accommodating as possible, but to stick to the rules in place.  Your assistant sounds like a class act, but too many goons before and after him will intentionally break policies that were communicated to them, regarding practice rounds.  The few ruin it for everyone.

"What do you mean my caddie can't play?"...despite being told, shows up later that day with his caddie who also brought his clubs....

"Well I'm not finished!" ..after he was told carts were to be in by 7, he had been out there for 3.5 hours as a single on an empty course

"Well I'm traveling from Canada so my Dad is going to play with me" ...told he cannot, he still brings him, and pleads for us to let him use his pull-cart (a no go at most Detroit area private clubs)

How about the guy who shows up for his state am practice round in jeans....

or the guy who I played my PAT with, had 13 practice rounds in at a discount rate, before we played (early May in Wisconsin), the guy also had a full entourage following him and his 83-86 didn't exactly work for him

or the guy who brought a cooler and six-pack for a PGA Stroke Play event

or the guy with the sleeve tattoos who brings his tatted and pierced girlfriend for a US Open Local Qualifier practice round...I'm sure guages look good, just not at private clubs.

or when the practice round players hold up the course...looks like 5 hour rounds  for two-somes are not limited to the PGA Tour

My Point:  The members see and/or interact with these few inconsiderate individuals and go quickly to the professional staff, who will have to take the brunt for this riff raff.  Those same members go to the board, and then quickly either no events will be held, or no practice rounds will be permitted.  

[John Kavanaugh]

Is it even possible to be a high quality assistant and play as much golf as this guy?

[Mark Johnson]

Is it even possible to be a high quality assistant and play as much golf as this guy?

Some clubs hire assistants based on their ability to play golf versus their ability to fold sweaters. 

One of their values is to always Play  in the wed and fri games.  Really adds to the feel of a players club

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