[Jeff Fortson]

Some pretty interesting responses over something that seems pretty harmless.


My opinion...

If your facility is going to accept to host a qualifier for a large tournament, especially something like a US Open Qualifier (which they are getting paid to host), you should make your course available to the entrants.  These entrants aren't "raters", or a bunch or lowly assistant golf pros looking for free access to a course.  Each one of the entrants paid a $150 fee to try to qualify (a portion of each entry goes toward greens fees).  My humble opinion is that the courses shouldn't charge more than $25-$30 for a practice round but if they want to charge more, so be it.  But, at least make it available once (preferably the day before).  

If your course has a mentality that the entrants should feel blessed and honored that the course even allowed the riff raff in the door, don't host the event.  If Sunday afternoon is too important to members to allow a practice round because parent/junior play is high that day or too important to sacrifice for one afternoon a year, don't host the event.  Not once did anyone that posted above complain about the money these clubs are receiving for hosting.  If your club doesn't need the money then why host the event?  The assumption would be that the club is interested in being a part of the qualifying experience.  Also, if you're going to host the qualifier, why is it taboo to expect the club to make an attempt to have the course in tournament condition?

In the original post one of the clubs wouldn't even allow a PGA Professional to walk the course, let alone play it.  That's embarrassing, IMO.  I just played a local qualifier for the US Open at Bermuda Dunes CC last month and they made practice rounds available.  They were charging $90.  I thought it was steep, but at least it was available.  I didn't play a practice round as I have played the course numerous times.  Luckily, I won a 7 for 1 playoff and got through to sectionals.  Sectionals are at Lake Merced/Harding Park.  They have made practice rounds available for free the two afternoons before the tournament.  I can't play either day and Lake Merced is allowing me to play midweek for free and Harding is charging me their resident rate.  I think that's fair.  Both courses seem genuinely interested in hosting the event which is the way it should be.  If you're going to host an event like this, do it right.


Jeff F.


P.S.:  I have no problem with a club enforcing their rules regarding rounds for caddies being off limits, or dress code, etc.  That is to be expected.

[Tim Martin]

Some pretty interesting responses over something that seems pretty harmless.


My opinion...

If your facility is going to accept to host a qualifier for a large tournament, especially something like a US Open Qualifier (which they are getting paid to host), you should make your course available to the entrants.  These entrants aren't "raters", or a bunch or lowly assistant golf pros looking for free access to a course.  Each one of the entrants paid a $150 fee to try to qualify (a portion of each entry goes toward greens fees).  My humble opinion is that the courses shouldn't charge more than $25-$30 for a practice round but if they want to charge more, so be it.  But, at least make it available once (preferably the day before).  

If your course has a mentality that the entrants should feel blessed and honored that the course even allowed the riff raff in the door, don't host the event.  If Sunday afternoon is too important to members to allow a practice round because parent/junior play is high that day or too important to sacrifice for one afternoon a year, don't host the event.  Not once did anyone that hosted above complain about the money these clubs are receiving for hosting.  If your club doesn't need the money then why host the event?  The assumption would be that the club is interested in being a part of the qualifying experience.  Also, if you're going to host the qualifier, why is it taboo to expect the club to make an attempt to have the course in tournament condition?

In the original post one of the clubs wouldn't even allow a PGA Professional to walk the course, let alone play it.  That's embarrassing, IMO.  I just played a local qualifier for the US Open at Bermuda Dunes CC last month and they made prqactice rounds available.  They were charging $90 for the practice round.  I thought it was steep, but at least it was available.  I didn't play a practice round as I have played the course numerous times.  Luckily, I won a 7 for 1 playoff and got through to sectionals.  Sectionals are at Lake Merced/Harding Park.  They have made practice round available for free the two afternoons before the tournament.  I can't play either day and Lake Merced is allowing me to play midweek for free and Harding is charging me their resident rate.  I think that's fair.  Both courses seem genuinely interested in hosting the event which is the way it should be.  If you're going to host an event like this, do it right.


Jeff F.


P.S.:  I have no problem with a club enforcing their rules regarding rounds for caddies being off limits, or dress code, etc.  That is to be expected.

Right on the money. If you are going to host you need to go all in instead of just putting your big toe in the water. I don`t understand the clubs that host and then make every part of the experience a pain in the ass for the contestants. If you can`t have a bit of flexibility based on someone not being able to get there on the set aside day than don`t host. People do in fact have legit reasons for not being able to get there on a specific day. Again if they only want to host for the cache of putting it on their website or pitch to prospective members then they are missing the point.

[Jeff Fortson]

sorry.  don't know what happened.

[Patrick_Mucci]

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.

Qualifiers are usually scheduled years in advance, therefore it's difficult to predict Mother Nature's influence on the date of the qualifier.

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.

You're kidding right ?
Saturdays and Sundays are the two busiest days at private clubs and you want the membership to defer to a non-member ?  ?  ?

Let me see if I understand this correctly.  The club in question provided him with alternative dates, but, HIS schedule couldn't accomodate those dates ?  ?  ?

This is a problem that transcends golf, the "entitlement" mentality.

When clubs host events and qualifiers, they typically publish the practice round dates.

If a golfer can't make them you want the club to ignore their member needs and cater to a non-member by accomodating HIS particular needs.
Now, EXPAND that to the entire field.  Try accomodating 150 or so golfers to the exclusion of satisfying the club's membership.

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

Then you have NO concept of logistics and practicality.
You should be happy that the club has elected to host the Mass Open instead of complaining that the club won't accomodate your friend's needs because they conflict with the club's practice round dates.

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.

Then, once again, you don't understand the problem and logistics associated with running a tournament with 150 or so competitors.

No one knows the formula for success, but surely the formula for failure is to try to please everyone.


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?

WHY ?
They're hosting the event aren't they ?
Are you sure that NO ONE is entitled to a practice round ?

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

Then, he's on an equal footing with every other competitor, NO ?



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

Again, let me see if I understand this correctly.

For the first event, the club has offered practice round dates, but, your friend can't make them because he has elected to play in another competition.  And, you want the club to ignore or put aside member play on Sunday afternoon, which is usually a heavy play couples time, to accomodate your non-member friend ?  ?? ?

Is that correct ?

And you don't understand that ?  ?  ?

When dealing with 150 so competitors you have to establish guidelines/rules in an effort to try to accomodate everyone, the competitors, officials and club members.  You do so by establishing fixed practice round dates and times.  If a competitor can't make them due to choice, or scheduling conflicts, he usually can find a member to host him.  But, whining that it's not fair is absurd.  Asking the club to make a special exception is absurd, especially when multiplied by 150 special exceptions.

You should try running a tournament to see all of the problems that arise, then, maybe, you'll have a better appreciation for how difficult it is to try to please everyone.

[Patrick_Mucci]

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. 

This is a statement made by someone with ZERO familiarity with respect to clubs hosting events.

Clubs, in general, don't want to host events, for a number of reasons.
Obtaining tournament and qualifying sites is extremely difficult, and, it has to be done years in advance.

The USGA, local section and PGA are LUCKY if they can get a good site.
And you want the hosting club to accept those organizations demand terms ?  ? ?
You don't have a clue when it comes to this topic. .

I'm not sure how much they pay the clubs to host these events

HINT:   They don't pay them a dime for local qualifiers and tournaments

-- maybe they need to increase the fees they pay somewhat, and then they could require better opportunities for the competitors.
IGNORANCE IS NO EXCUSE UNDER THE LAW.

WHAT FEE ?  ?  ?

THERE IS NO FEE.

Carl, in the future, ascertain the facts prior to typing

[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.  

This is a statement made by someone with ZERO familiarity with respect to clubs hosting events.

Clubs, in general, don't want to host events, for a number of reasons.
Obtaining tournament and qualifying sites is extremely difficult, and, it has to be done years in advance.

The USGA, local section and PGA are LUCKY if they can get a good site.
And you want the hosting club to accept those organizations demand terms ?  ? ?
You don't have a clue when it comes to this topic. .

I'm not sure how much they pay the clubs to host these events

HINT:   They don't pay them a dime for local qualifiers and tournaments

-- maybe they need to increase the fees they pay somewhat, and then they could require better opportunities for the competitors.
IGNORANCE IS NO EXCUSE UNDER THE LAW.

WHAT FEE ?  ?  ?

THERE IS NO FEE.

Carl, in the future, ascertain the facts prior to typing

I do know for a fact that at least one prominent PGA Tour event pays a private club to use it's course for Thurs. pre-qualifying and Monday qualifying for its event.  It is the private club I belong to.  It's not a lot, but apparently our board thinks it's sufficient.  

I'm very surprised to learn that the USGA does not pay clubs/courses that host qualifying events for its tournaments.  Thanks for enlightening me.  In my opinion, the USGA (or local section) should pay the clubs.

By the way, "local section" mean, in our area, the Carolinas Golf Association, which, among other things, puts on amateur tournaments in NC and SC.  Apparently I should not use that term because, in fact, they have no relationship with USGA?

Bottom line, for me:  It seems that the USGA has lots of money, that they could well afford to pay clubs for use of their facilities, that they should pay them for the course use and services that makes both sides happy.

[Jeff Fortson]

Pat,

I agree with most of what you are saying.  But, I do have to say, no course is forced to host these events.  If a club is going to host the event I simply feel they should make the effort to have a set time open to entrants to play a practice round.  They can charge whatever they like and enforce whatever rules they see fit.  If it's for something like the US Open, you'd think clubs would attempt to put forth a welcoming effort, which I would guess the vast majority do.


Jeff F.

[Patrick_Mucci]

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. 

The entry fee goes to the "entity" which is sponsoring the tournament and to reimburse the hosting club for incidentals such as meals, IF they are included.  The $ 150 you cite does NOT go to the club as a hosting fee.


For the McGregor scenario it's clearly an issue of the local USGA not making sure the course is up to the job. 

I've been around for a while, but, I never heard of the "local USGA".
What is the "local USGA"
And, why would the USGA be involved in a McGregor tournament ?  ? ?
The USGA is ONLY involved in USGA events.

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.

That's the problem.
You don't know all the facts.
So rather than wait until you obtain the substantive facts, you start whining and complaining

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

There's always an internal struggle with respect to "donating" the use of the club for "outside" play.
Rather than appreciate the gesture on the club's part, you whine and complain about how unfairly they've treated your friend.

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.

So, if ten contestants said that the only day they could come to the club to practice was the day of the club's member-guest, you'd accomodate the ten contestants at the expense of the members and their guests in the Member-guest tournament ?  ?  ? 

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.

The U.S. Open is held in Mid-June.
Qualifiers are typically held in May.
Both are scheduled years in advance
Mother Nature, rather than your efforts as President, determines conditions.

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.

Are you stating that your club, when hosting the NYS Am, had an unlimited, unrestricted practice round policy ?  ? ?
I don't believe it.
Why don't you let us know which club and in what year they hosted the NYS Am, then we can do an archival search and determine if there was a FORMAL practice round policy.

Clubs, for the most part, try to accomodate their members and the tournament field, but, to insist that they accomodate every competitor, irrespective of the disruption to their membership is pure B.S.

I suspect that your friendship with your asst pro has clouded your vision.

[Greg Tallman]

Patrick,

While scolding all of those for mis-stating various things are you suggesting that it is beneath clubs to participate and do so in a manner that is "all in" versus "we'll give them a day and that's it, this is INSERT CLUB after all"?

I would have suspected you looked at it as almost a duty of a fine club to foster competitive golf in such a manner.

[Jeff Fortson]

Pat,

One other note...

It might be true that your club or clubs you have intimate knowledge of schedule their US Open Qualifiers "years" in advance but I know for a fact that here in Southern California they still haven't decided on how many local sites they are going to use in the Coachella Valley in 2013, nor have they decided which club they are going to use if they in fact do add one to the schedule.  Hardly "years" in advance.


Jeff F.

[JMEvensky]

I would have suspected you looked at it as almost a duty of a fine club to foster competitive golf in such a manner.

Not just fine clubs,but any club whose members take the game seriously.

But,it's not that simple anymore.Every club struggles with these things.The GM at my club refers to them as "free outings"--as though a local Open qualifier and a Rotary Club scramble were no different.And his opinion isn't too far in the minority.

The calendar is full,fewer and fewer members care about competitive golf.All it takes is a small group of members to complain and any justification for hosting becomes even harder to make.

Things get even better when a PGAT pro acts like an asshole because his practice round was behind a 4-some of women.Sometimes the players bring these attitudes on themselves.

Securing sites will only get more difficult for USGA qualifiers.

And things will get harder yet for city,state,and regional events.

[Patrick_Mucci]

Patrick,

While scolding all of those for mis-stating various things are you suggesting that it is beneath clubs to participate and do so in a manner that is "all in" versus "we'll give them a day and that's it, this is INSERT CLUB after all"?

Greg,

Getting a club to host and event, either multi-day or single day is beyond difficult.

If you attempt to dictate terms, you won't get the club's participation.

You outline your punchlist and try to get agreement as best you can.

You only see the "presentation" that Dan made and we don't know all the facts surrounding that presentation.

But, let me give you another example.
A club is hosting an event and has published that
Practice days will be on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday after 2:00.
Competitor calls and says, "gee, I can't make any of those dates since my wife is having surgery on Tuesday afternoon, is it OK if I play at 10:00 on Friday.
The hosting club's pro or manager says, "well, OK, under those circumstances, yes.
Then the competitor says, or in some cases, doesn't say, "my wife's father is in town for the surgery, can he play with me ?
Then, when he shows up, he also brings his wife's brother with him.

You don't know the extent of the circumstances surrounding the hosting of events and the practice rounds associated with them.

In my limited experience, most clubs try to accomodate practice rounds.
The publish, well in advance, the dates and times.
Sometimes, they're very flexible, stating that competitors should call the pro-shop, which will try to accomodate them.

But, the truth is, you can't accomodate everyone.  You have to have order.
In fact, the structure of the event is largely responsible for the club approving it in the first place.
You can't have chaos, or that will be the last event the club hosts for a decade or so.

You and others don't understand the extent of the issues, internal and external, you just see the "entitlement" issue, while ignoring all the others.
Like the tip of the iceberg, there's alot more beneath the surface, and that's what most don't know or understand.

Hope that helps.


I would have suspected you looked at it as almost a duty of a fine club to foster competitive golf in such a manner.

Forget my perspective.
You have to look at the clubs perspective.
Many members don't want to host an outside event, so when a club does, you have to have structure, such that the members and competitors understand the ground rules.

Clubs aren't monolithic thinkers, there's devisiveness within every membership.

There are war camps to be dealt with.

You, and I say that respectively, You and others have no idea as to the IN-fighting that goes on within the club and the Board regarding the hosting of outside events.

And now you want exceptions that may jeopardize the hosting of future events to rule the day.

It doesn't work that way.

Trust me, I have extensive experience in this area.

[Carl Johnson]

I would have suspected you looked at it as almost a duty of a fine club to foster competitive golf in such a manner.

Not just fine clubs,but any club whose members take the game seriously.

But,it's not that simple anymore.Every club struggles with these things.The GM at my club refers to them as "free outings"--as though a local Open qualifier and a Rotary Club scramble were no different.And his opinion isn't too far in the minority.  I'm in that minority category, I suppose.The calendar is full,fewer and fewer members care about competitive golf.All it takes is a small group of members to complain and any justification for hosting becomes even harder to make.

Things get even better when a PGAT pro acts like an asshole because his practice round was behind a 4-some of women.Sometimes the players bring these attitudes on themselves.  Been there, seen that.  However, in my experience I have noticed only a small minority of the players that act this way.  It is a shame that the other players individually and the Tour as an organization can't make them shape up.
Securing sites will only get more difficult for USGA qualifiers.

And things will get harder yet for city,state,and regional events.

[Greg Tallman]

Patrick,

With all due respect you type the words "you don't know" far too frequently when addressing a person you don't know.

I asked for your opinion, not a condescnding disseration on the inner workings of a club.

[Carl Johnson]

Patrick,

While scolding all of those for mis-stating various things are you suggesting that it is beneath clubs to participate and do so in a manner that is "all in" versus "we'll give them a day and that's it, this is INSERT CLUB after all"?

Greg,

Getting a club to host and event, either multi-day or single day is beyond difficult.

If you attempt to dictate terms, you won't get the club's participation.

You outline your punchlist and try to get agreement as best you can.

You only see the "presentation" that Dan made and we don't know all the facts surrounding that presentation.

But, let me give you another example.
A club is hosting an event and has published that
Practice days will be on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday after 2:00.
Competitor calls and says, "gee, I can't make any of those dates since my wife is having surgery on Tuesday afternoon, is it OK if I play at 10:00 on Friday.
The hosting club's pro or manager says, "well, OK, under those circumstances, yes.
Then the competitor says, or in some cases, doesn't say, "my wife's father is in town for the surgery, can he play with me ?
Then, when he shows up, he also brings his wife's brother with him.

You don't know the extent of the circumstances surrounding the hosting of events and the practice rounds associated with them.

In my limited experience, most clubs try to accomodate practice rounds.
The publish, well in advance, the dates and times.
Sometimes, they're very flexible, stating that competitors should call the pro-shop, which will try to accomodate them.

But, the truth is, you can't accomodate everyone.  You have to have order.
In fact, the structure of the event is largely responsible for the club approving it in the first place.
You can't have chaos, or that will be the last event the club hosts for a decade or so.

You and others don't understand the extent of the issues, internal and external, you just see the "entitlement" issue, while ignoring all the others.
Like the tip of the iceberg, there's alot more beneath the surface, and that's what most don't know or understand.

Hope that helps.


I would have suspected you looked at it as almost a duty of a fine club to foster competitive golf in such a manner.

Forget my perspective.
You have to look at the clubs perspective.
Many members don't want to host an outside event, so when a club does, you have to have structure, such that the members and competitors understand the ground rules.

Clubs aren't monolithic thinkers, there's devisiveness within every membership.

There are war camps to be dealt with.

You, and I say that respectively, You and others have no idea as to the IN-fighting that goes on within the club and the Board regarding the hosting of outside events.  We all know that Boards "IN-fight" about most everything, so I believe we do know that there is IN-fighting on this issue.

And now you want exceptions that may jeopardize the hosting of future events to rule the day.

It doesn't work that way.

Trust me, I have extensive experience in this area.

Trust, but verify!      [size]

[JMEvensky]

Carl,it only takes one prick.

The PGAT and the USGA will each get involved when a player does something stupid.It's in their best interests to make sure the player apologizes to the club or Head Pro.

Of course,there's probably going to be another prick next year.

[Carl Johnson]

Carl,it only takes one prick.

The PGAT and the USGA will each get involved when a player does something stupid.It's in their best interests to make sure the player apologizes to the club or Head Pro.

Of course,there's probably going to be another prick next year.   No doubt!

[Patrick_Mucci]

Patrick,

With all due respect you type the words "you don't know" far too frequently when addressing a person you don't know.

It's my "opinion" that you don't know.
So we can ascertain if I'm right or wrong with my opinion, have you served on the board of a club or clubs that hosted events ?
And, have you also served in the capacity as the liaison person between a golfing organization and clubs hosting events ?

If not, I stand by my opinion, "you don't know"

I asked for your opinion, not a condescnding disseration on the inner workings of a club.

The inner workings of a club are critical to the issue.
That you don't know or don't understand that proves my point.

[Carl Johnson]

Patrick,

With all due respect you type the words "you don't know" far too frequently when addressing a person you don't know.

It's my "opinion" that you don't know.
So we can ascertain if I'm right or wrong with my opinion, have you served on the board of a club or clubs that hosted events ?
And, have you also served in the capacity as the liaison person between a golfing organization and clubs hosting events ?

If not, I stand by my opinion, "you don't know"

I asked for your opinion, not a condescnding disseration on the inner workings of a club.

The inner workings of a club are critical to the issue.
That you don't know or don't understand that proves my point.

Uncle!

[Patrick_Mucci]

Carl,

I served on the board of a club for twenty years that hosted USGA events, MGA events, NJSGA events and NJPGA events.
I was largely responsible for getting the club to host those events, some as recently as 2012.
In addition, for about the same period of time I served as the NJ liason person on the USGA Mid-Amateur committee.

I think that just might qualify me to comment on this topic.

Greg,

What's your experience in this area ?

[jeffwarne]

Anecdotally, I'm playing in the Taylormade event at Myopia that Dan referenced.
I was quite thrilled/surprised to see Myopia hosting.
Despite (or because of) the fact that I'm quite friendly with their incredible Head Professional, I never considered asking for a practice round.

[Greg Tallman]

Carl,

I served on the board of a club for twenty years that hosted USGA events, MGA events, NJSGA events and NJPGA events.
I was largely responsible for getting the club to host those events, some as recently as 2012.
In addition, for about the same period of time I served as the NJ liason person on the USGA Mid-Amateur committee.

I think that just might qualify me to comment on this topic.

Greg,

What's your experience in this area ?

Patrick,

We have all dealt with boards full of over inflated egos, third generation entitlement and petty self interests. A golf club board is no different than another. I don't see anyone arguing that it is difficult politics, perhpas as petty as it comes but still difficult.

My initial comment was meant to express surprise that you were falling on then side you are and ask if I was reading you correctly. Your responses have failed to address that whatsoever.

[Keith OHalloran]

Pat,
With all the scheduling difficulties that you have enunciated, how does a club like Garden City find a way to open up to the competitors for a week before the Travis?

[Mark Johnson]

As a board member of a club who has hosted USGA Amateur and Local qualifying,I am speaking from some experience as well here.

A few things

1) Clubs were paid by USGA to host these events, however, the amount per round is a fraction of our guest greens fees.

2) Qualifiers from state ams were generally not paid for;  (This is also why it is rare for a private course to host one of these)

3) Part of the agreement is that practice rounds need to be made available;  however, it is up to the club to

4) Clubs are allowed to enforce their own dress codes, norms, etc.  (e.g. no metal spikes, no push carts)

5) These is tremendous pressure for members of state golf association boards to get their own clubs to host these types of events.  In fact, you could argue this is a key part of their application process.

[Patrick_Mucci]

With all the scheduling difficulties that you have enunciated, how does a club like Garden City find a way to open up to the competitors for a week before the Travis?

Keith,

For several reasons.

# 1.  It's the "club's" event, not an outside event
# 2.  It's a fixed event, played at the same time every year, prior to Memorial Day.
# 3.  There is no third party association that dictates a schedule, format or eligibility.
# 4.  The membership strongly supports the event, thus deviseness that exists at other clubs isn't a factor.
# 5.  The membership funds the event, thus the event isn't reliant on third party associations or the competitors for funding.

Hope that helps

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