A Motion For An OT Section

[Adam_F_Collins]

I know this has been talked about before - but I'm making an "official motion" for a separate forum category for all non architecture topics.

This is an interesting group with lots of insights into the golf world which go beyond the realm of golf architecture, and this forum is the only point of contact for many of us.

But many interesting posts quickly move to the back pages - and a certain amount of the activity is OT. It's no wonder that OT posts irritate many. However, many of these posts are interesting and provocative threads in their own right.

I think the Forum Section should have two sections: Golf Course Architecture, and Golf General - or even "OT".

That way, we could slow down the page turnover on the Architecture threads, and have a place for OT stuff where you can look if you're interested - but don't have to wade through it if you're just looking for architecture stuff.

I have a question (to ask GCA Members) about how different clubs deal with weekend tee times for members and I'd really like to have an appropriate forum to ask it in...

Couldn't we just try it for a while?

[Patrick_Mucci]

AFC,

I make a motion to table the motion, which under Robert's rules of order takes precendence.

[Kyle Harris]

Pat,

Only if tabling the motion has a time limit... that being said, you need to make a second motion to take precedence, or the tabled motion comes back to the top.

I was my OA Lodge's Parliamenterian  

[Patrick_Mucci]

Kyle Harris,

In that case I make a motion that we table the motion indefinitely, or until TEPaul understands anything about golf course architecture, which is equivalent to the next millenium.  

[Kyle Harris]

Pat,

I second.

Now we need a recorder to keep the minutes. It's only official when read (and approved) at the minutes of the next meeting...  

[Jim Nugent]

Not sure which motion holds the floor right now, but I'm against the proposition.  The headlines, or titles, almost always give me a good idea of the thread topic.  Lots of OT threads state that right upfront, as well.  It only takes me seconds to scan the forum page and decide which threads might interest me.  Think breaking up will a) take longer, b) bring on lower participation.  

In this case, to divide will not conquer, IMO.  

[David_Elvins]

Adam,

I support your proposal.  

[Patrick_Mucci]

Adam,

I support your proposal.  

Then, why don't you and Adam start your own website that will cater to those topics ?

Why dilute and divert the content and purpose of this website ?[/color]

[PThomas]

I'm against

I like most/all of the OT....life isn't just golf!  ( it's close , though  )

and to me, it seems odd to try and tell Ran how to run his site

[Patrick_Mucci]

I'm against

I like most/all of the OT....life isn't just golf!  ( it's close , though  )

and to me, it seems odd to try and tell Ran how to run his site

[size=x2]

Then let me tell you what RAN said and HOW HE wants to RUN HIS SITE.

"GolfClubAtlas.com is presented to PROMOTE the frank commentary on the world's finest golf courses.
Within this site, the SUBJECT of GOLF COURSE ARCHITECTURE is discussed in several different sections, including ....."[/SIZE]

If you read the rest of the introduction you'll see that the site is devoted to golf course architecture, and not inane off topic issues that you and others want to pursue.

So, if you want to comply with RAN's wishes, stick to golf course architecture.

[Adam_F_Collins]

I'm not suggesting the need for a 'different' site, and I'm not trying to 'tell Ran how to run his site'.

I'm looking at what is and has been going on here all along and suggesting a way it might be organized.

There are a number of things that bring me to do so.

• The page turnover is sometimes quite quick and interesting threads are soon buried.

• There are a lot of OT topics which speed this turnover.

• There are a lot of people who have commented on the fact that there are too many OT posts and expressed some level of frustration with it.

• Many of these OT posts are actually quite interesting, golf-related issues - beyond that, when shared among THIS forum, there is often a high level of thoughtful input.

• GCA.com is a unique group and one that many of us only have access to through this website. We'd love to get to some of the GCA get-togethers and speak face-to-face, and maybe we will - but for the odd, golf-related topic, it's nice to just be able to post it.

Now, none of these things are points that I have just come up with on my own, but rather are ideas that I have seen or heard expressed by a number of different people in a wide variety of ways during the time I have been posting/lurking here.

Given the fact that I spend so much of my life span here, one should be able to guess that I enjoy this website and am thankful for the effort Ran has put into it - and to everyone who contributes.

This is not an attack.

And, as with all the other posts - you can take it or leave it. And if people don't want a change, then quit bitching about the way things are - OT and all.

[Bob_Huntley]

Let's leave well alone.

The Bamberger/Wie thread has been read some 2791 times. This indicates a marked interest in the event. For those more interested in the minutiae of the exquisite sloping of the green at Burning Bush G.C., they can flip on by.

Bob

[Chris Kane]

I have less of a problem with off-topic posts related to other aspects of golf than I do with topics about politics and college football.

But Ran's wishes seem clear enough:

A free access board for the discussion of golf course architecture related matters. (note: non-architecture threads/posts are deleted)

This time, Patrick is right.  If you want to talk about other topics, there are plenty of other websites for you.

[cary lichtenstein]

I read em all, and the good ones stay on the first page

[David_Elvins]

Adam,

I support your proposal.  

Then, why don't you and Adam start your own website that will cater to those topics ?

Why dilute and divert the content and purpose of this website ?[/color]

Patrick,

Once again, you have missed the point completely.  I agreee with you.  There is no place for off topic threads in the Golf Club Atlas Discussion Group.  Adam is suggesting a practical suggestion with the aim of REMOVING off topic threads from the discussion board.

Why dont you come up with a better proposal for removing OT threads from the discussion board.  Afterall, the current ban on OT threads, isn't exactly working, is it?  Even an ardent opponent of OT threads such as yourself flaunts the rules every now and again.  To give theses threads their own seperate board within the Golf Cub Atlas website is quite technically simple and seems like a practical compromise that will benefit people like you and me who don't like the board being diluted with OT threads, whilst still giving those people who have an obvious social bond with other members of the website and who  like OT threads about golf, football or whatever, a place to enjoy themselves.  In my opinion it would be a practical compromise that would be easy to police and would be an improvement on the current arrangements.  

Though I fully understand if practical compromises are not your style, I would be interested to hear if you have a better, more workable solution for keeping OT threads off the Golf Course Architecture discussion board.

[Patrick_Mucci]

Patrick,

I would be interested to hear if you have a better, more workable solution for keeping OT threads off the Golf Course Architecture discussion board.

Sure, it's simple.

Let Tommy Naccarato delete them.[/color]