Another panelist story......

[Mike_Young]

  here is an excerpt from the "Golf convergence Newsletter " this month....thought some would find it interesting:
AND THE SAGA CONTINUES.....
"Being a panelist for Golf Magazine is a privilege. The opportunity to engage in the search to identify the world's best courses by playing the famed courses of history as well as the new marvelous creations by today's architects is a treat. Panelists do so at their own expense, simply for the love of the game. The great majority do so with a respect for the game, an understanding of the challenges of daily golf operations, and a great appreciation for the accommodations that course personnel make to give them the opportunity to play.

Having played the new fabulous Coore Crenshaw-designed Colorado Golf Club recently, I was chagrined as I heard a story of egregious behavior. Our host was discussing the transgressions of a panelist from another leading publication. He "demanded" to play on Sunday, bringing his three sons as guests, and he was miffed that he was charged a $65 panelist guest fee while his three sons were billed the normal member guest rate of $125. In addition, caddies at $40 per bag plus were required. His tee time was 3:30 p.m. and when he arrived at 12:30, he stated that the earlier time was approved by the marketing director. No such chance. He commented to the caddy that they were so poorly treated that it would affect his ranking of the golf course. That individual should not be a panelist.

[Randy Thompson]

Without a doubt, hopefully somebody at the club is doing something about it, like documenting it on paper and sending it to the proper officials!

[PThomas]

the club must contact whoever is the head of the GOLF mag ratings board

[Mike_Young]

the club must contact whoever is the head of the GOLF mag ratings board

I think the writer says it was "another publication"
Mike

[PThomas]

the club must contact whoever is the head of the GOLF mag ratings board

I think the writer says it was "another publication"
Mike

oops, my mistake, sorry

[Robert Thompson]

I really don't know why these "stories" are that big a deal. Have the head pro or director of golf pick up the phone or send an email to the individual in charge of whatever panel we're speaking of (and it is likely only one of two others). Let the individual in charge know the score and that'll be it for the panelist. I don't see why it takes a post on here -- I'm a panelist and am disappointed to hear this, but there's a way this can be dealt with.

[Jim Franklin]

I really don't know why these "stories" are that big a deal. Have the head pro or director of golf pick up the phone or send an email to the individual in charge of whatever panel we're speaking of (and it is likely only one of two others). Let the individual in charge know the score and that'll be it for the panelist. I don't see why it takes a post on here -- I'm a panelist and am disappointed to hear this, but there's a way this can be dealt with.

Exactly. I am a panelist and this infuriates me to hear of this type of behavior. I would certanily hope that the pro or whoever had to deal with this idiot would call the magazine and get them booted. I have never felt any entitlement to play any course and bring any guests since I have become a panelist. This behavior is just wrong.

[Dan Kelly]

"Being a panelist for Golf Magazine is a privilege. The opportunity to engage in the search to identify the world's best courses by playing the famed courses of history as well as the new marvelous creations by today's architects is a treat. Panelists do so at their own expense, simply for the love of the game. The great majority do so with a respect for the game, an understanding of the challenges of daily golf operations, and a great appreciation for the accommodations that course personnel make to give them the opportunity to play.

Having played the new fabulous Coore Crenshaw-designed Colorado Golf Club recently, I was chagrined as I heard a story of egregious behavior. Our host was discussing the transgressions of a panelist from another leading publication. He "demanded" to play on Sunday, bringing his three sons as guests, and he was miffed that he was charged a $65 panelist guest fee while his three sons were billed the normal member guest rate of $125. In addition, caddies at $40 per bag plus were required. His tee time was 3:30 p.m. and when he arrived at 12:30, he stated that the earlier time was approved by the marketing director. No such chance. He commented to the caddy that they were so poorly treated that it would affect his ranking of the golf course. That individual should not be a panelist.

Who wrote this?

[Joel_Stewart]

Being a panelist this infuriates me as well and all I can say is the pro and the GM need to contact the publisher or rating editor right away.  I would hope that these pros and GM will not be sanctioned or penalized.

I'm sure I speak for all of the magazines, nobody wants a lousy panelist or a lousy person representing the magazine.  Panelists that only play for free golf need to be kicked off.

I heard a story this year about a panelist that didn't like a particular course because it didn't have any trees.  There is a fine line between particular tastes (although this person is an idiot) and rude behavior.

[John Kavanaugh]

I think panelists should always take friends and family members along with them on the course.  I allows a better understanding of how the course plays from different perspectives and gives the panelist a chance to discuss the course while it is fresh in his mind while driving to the next venue.

The very best situation is the husband/wife team as long as both are panelists so the pro is not put in the awkward situation of charging for the wife.

I have only met one pro who ever turned in a panelist and that guy was reinstated as soon as the dust cleared anyway.  Bitching is a complete waste of time and does more potential harm than good as the pro is soon labeled as a snitch in the small world of criticdom.

[Tommy Williamsen]

I think there are at least two major problems.  Most of the time the pro does not ask for the players ID card.  I always show mine and tell them not to be shy about asking for it.  It is not difficult for someone to claim that he/she is a panelist.

Most panelist that I know can gain access to clubs on their own.  Most of us realize that we represent more than ourselves at a club.  I know of a few guys that have been kicked off the GD panel for rotten behavior.  When ever I hear stories such as that I e-mail GD.

[David_Madison]

As a panelist I want the abusers turned in and if warranted removed. Surely it can't take much to sway a club that was on the fence but marginally accepting of having panelists come to rate their courses to lean in the other direction and close off access to those of us who appreciate the opportunity and know how to behave. And to the extent that there's any outright questioning of the results of the panelists' evaluations, throwing abusers of the process into the mix certainly can't help.

[John Kavanaugh]

The best solution would be to allow the clubs to access the actual rating by each panelist.  That way the club could learn where they fall short and which panelist to allow back year after year after year after year.

[Bill_McBride]

The best solution would be to allow the clubs to access the actual rating by each panelist.  That way the club could learn where they fall short and which panelist to allow back year after year after year after year.

.....or who to bar in the future!  

[Garland Bayley]

The best solution would be to allow the clubs to access the actual rating by each panelist.  That way the club could learn where they fall short and which panelist to allow back year after year after year after year.

LOL

[Joel_Stewart]

The best solution would be to allow the clubs to access the actual rating by each panelist.  That way the club could learn where they fall short and which panelist to allow back year after year after year after year.

I think GD will provide the individual numbers but not give the panelists name.  They do publish the mean score in the rankings but only the top 100 courses.

Tommy:  Our club has started asking for their cards and a few courses, Pebble Beach, Cascata as examples ask you to fax them well in advance.

[John_Cullum]

Impersonating a rater!!!

The lengths some guys will go is beyond the imagination

[Bob_Huntley]

Why don't the Golf Magazines send out their rating personnel, as do the better wine and dining publications, incognito.

Pay for access and then submit an honest report without the fear of being rebuffed the next time around.

I am sure that if a particular club asked for free advertising in Golfd Digest or Golf Magazine, they would be treated with derision and yet they are requesting a similar freebie.

Bob

[Craig Sweet]

Why don't they give up this silly idea of rating courses and just let people discover them with no preconceived ideas, biases, etc?  If "the people" like a course, word will spread....

[Steve Pozaric]

Why don't they give up this silly idea of rating courses and just let people discover them with no preconceived ideas, biases, etc?  If "the people" like a course, word will spread....

That way, unfortunately in the view of the magazines, doesn't sell a bunch of ad space, create lot of buzz or demand.

[John Kavanaugh]

I have said this before and no one has an explanation.  Why is it if ratings issues sell magazines you can not buy a single issue of Golfweek in a Barnes & Noble or any airport in the country?  Ratings are like Bunnies living in the Mansion...They don't sell magazines but are a great perk for Heff and his buddies.

[Mike Sweeney]

Why don't they give up this silly idea of rating courses and just let people discover them with no preconceived ideas, biases, etc?  If "the people" like a course, word will spread....

That way, unfortunately in the view of the magazines, doesn't sell a bunch of ad space, create lot of buzz or demand.

It was a cold rainy weekend night before Thanksgiving at the Southampton Public House when my buddy Tom introduced me to his friend who belongs to "some golf club in Nebraska."

Mike said, "You mean Sand Hills?"

Tom said, "Yea, I think that's it."

There was no GCA.com at that time, my only hook at a Top 10 club was 200 miles away in Ardmore, PA. Shinnecock and National were things that I drove past on the way to the beach.

Since that night, I have played courses ranging from Cypress Point to Sand Hills to Maidstone with my friend's friend who is now a friend. He has taught me about opera, he watched my virginity get cracked at National, he has raised a son that has set an example of how to live and behave in the 21st Century.

Thank goodness some rater for Golf Magazine drove to Mullen, Nebraska to find out about Sand Hills Golf Club. I have obsessed over those list since I was 14 years old. I have had many great trips, friends and laughs because of that guy(s).

I choose not to worry about the guy(s) who abuses the system, either Brad or Karma eventually will get him/them anyway.

Does anyone know who was the prophet for Sand Hills in that original Golf Magazine article/list? I owe that guy a beer.

[Craig Sweet]

Golfweek needs to get its act together and get wider distribution...I don't think I've ever seen it on any news stand shelf....anywhere...

That said, if the golf magazines did more to promote golf, and less to promote the "resorts" that buy ads, more people might venture beyond their local courses.

[Craig Sweet]

Mike, you would have found Sand Hills whether a rater had traveled to Mullen or not...and whether Sand Hills is #1 or #25 does not matter one bit...

[Dan Kelly]

I have said this before and no one has an explanation.  Why is it if ratings issues sell magazines you can not buy a single issue of Golfweek in a Barnes & Noble or any airport in the country?  Ratings are like Bunnies living in the Mansion...They don't sell magazines but are a great perk for Heff and his buddies.

Here's a simplistic answer from a simple guy:

It'd cost GolfWeek more to distribute that way, in addition to their current distribution, than they would expect to recoup.

That is why my newspaper is not delivered to homes in the city 10 miles to the west. We could sell a whole bunch of papers -- but there would be no return in it.

Apparently the economics of Golf and Golf Digest are different, and they expect to increase their profits via bookstore and newsstand distribution.