If I am running the State Am there are certain things that would be required of the host club/resort. Free practice rounds, Driving range limited to Players on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, Greens and course set up to the tournament committee specifications, ample available parking ( this was not an issue at La Costa with the free Valet, but was an issue at MPCC having to park 1000 yards away when there was a parking lot that was mostly empty that we were not allowed to park in) Anything that isn't related to the actual tournament golf experience is secondary. Meals are easy to provide either for a fee or for free. Lodging is the same thing.
I have zero knowledge of how the CGA runs their championships,but I do have intimate knowledge of how they're run in my state and have intimate knowledge of how club/state GA discussions work.
If California is different,I'll apologize in advance.
First,a state GA doesn't get to dictate any terms--they're just happy when a private club makes their golf course available.The "site fee" they pay is a token. The club takes a financial hit in multiple ways.
You're assuming people give a damn about your state am--99% don't. The club members consider you a nuisance. Your entry fee is probably half of what they pay per round in dues. You tie up their golf course for a week and now you want to bitch about not getting free practice rounds?
You're a guest--what you need to concentrate on is thanking every guy out there who volunteers his time and golf course so you can have a tournament.
And condolences on your back and the slow greens causing scoring problems. I'm the same way--every time I play poorly the greens seem to suck and my back hurts like hell.
I think it is sad that any state am isn't a privilege for a course to host. I realize times have changed and people are really selfish with their time and their courses.
I also realize that State Associations don't get to dictate terms , but they should in order to provide the best tournament that they can. After all, don't the host clubs pay to belong to that state association? Where is the payback to the association for all it provides?
Once again, I wasn't assuming that people care about the state am, I think its sad that the golfing community doesn't, it should. And I am sure some still due, I play in Tournaments at Winged Foot, Oak Hill, Champions Golf Club and Carlton Woods each year and believe me they care about amateur golf, that tournament and the club is supportive of giving up its course(s) for more than a couple days.
I certainly, thank all the volunteers when I am at the tournament, in fact, they know me personally and usually come up to me and we shake hands and have a short interaction about each others lives.
As to your last comment, the greens were great, just slow for a tournament and my poor scoring has nothing to do with my back hurting, it usually hurts, I just had a bad round and woke up and could barely get out of bed. This happens about 4-5 times a year after playing a few rounds in a week.
It seems you have me pegged as an entitled guy, but I am not, I am very appreciative but at the same time feel that if a course is going to host a major event, they ought to do it right. I would rather have a lesser course, venue , do it right , like La Cumbre did, than playing a better venue that doesn't allow for a great tournament experience. For some in the field, this is the pinnacle of their golfing careers and they should feel special. I do think that in CA , we were extremely spoiled having Pebble Beach built to host the CA am for 85 years, and its a shame that experience is no longer the norm.