How Much Would You Pay to Play...

« **on:** March 05, 2009, 06:40:10 PM »

The thread on the $1000 per golfer charity event at Sebonack got me thinking about this.

So, if there was a charity event /charity auction item at one the following courses, how much would you pay to play...

Augusta National
Cypress Point
Seminole
NGLA
Pine Valley
Merion
Oakmont

This is not a totally hypothetical exercise....Pine Valley held a charity tournament following 9/11, and if I recall the price was $1000 per person. There have recently been charity packages available that I'm aware of at NGLA , Friar's Head, Oakmont and Merion.

« **Reply #1 on:** March 05, 2009, 06:43:17 PM »

Great question.

My reality allows no expenditure that large for one round of golf.

That being said, out of all of those.....

Only Augusta gets me to find a way no matter what the price... with a ceiling of say $1000. Note for that however I get more than one round.. 36 at least. Does anyone really go to Augusta and just play 18?

TH

« **Reply #2 on:** March 05, 2009, 06:44:16 PM »

I'd go $1000 for Augusta. $500 for all the others probably. Would fork it over with very little thought too...

« **Reply #3 on:** March 05, 2009, 07:00:31 PM »

Must be nice to have some kind of money. Those who know me know I do not.

That being said, the only course I would try to muster cash like that to play would be Ballyneal.

Oh well. There is still a lot of worthwhile courses where $50 makes for a happy day!

Doug

« **Reply #4 on:** March 05, 2009, 07:05:17 PM »

THIS MUCH

« **Reply #5 on:** March 05, 2009, 07:30:06 PM »

Thanks for that link Mike B.

That thread was a bit nostalgic. You just can't find this stuff in 2009:

Quote from: John Kavanaugh on July 09, 2008, 02:23:09 PM

One of the ways I justify paying dues is through the use of opportunity costs. At $600 per month you can say a club costs $20 per day to golf. Sitting at my desk right now I have to weigh the options of either working, drinking, gambling, talking to my wife or golfing. If I choose to golf it only costs me the $20 I have already payed for the right to play today. If I choose to work, invest time in my marital relationship, or just get drunk and gamble I plan on earning a return far greater than $20. Therefore my cost per round at a $600 a month private club is only $20 per round no matter how few rounds I play per year.

« **Reply #6 on:** March 05, 2009, 07:34:23 PM »

I would pay $1000 to play each one. And then again at the bargain replay rate of $1000!

« **Reply #7 on:** March 05, 2009, 07:35:33 PM »

My guage is probably double the unescorted fee for any of the courses mentioned without much thought at all. Definitely not because I have the money to burn, but the memory of a lifetime is worth finding room in the budget. Golf is my vice, I'll put off buying a new set of clubs or driver to play any of those listed.

I'm intrigued by the charity route, the amount would go up depending on the cause. I'd be afraid for my 401k if Augusta had an event for the Alzheimer's Foundation.

Any advice on how to find charity auctions for these great courses? I only hear about them after they've closed.

« **Reply #8 on:** March 05, 2009, 07:45:14 PM »

Quote from: Eric Smith on March 05, 2009, 07:30:06 PM

Thanks for that link Mike B.

That thread was a bit nostalgic. You just can't find this stuff in 2009:

Quote from: John Kavanaugh on July 09, 2008, 02:23:09 PM
One of the ways I justify paying dues is through the use of opportunity costs. At $600 per month you can say a club costs $20 per day to golf. Sitting at my desk right now I have to weigh the options of either working, drinking, gambling, talking to my wife or golfing. If I choose to golf it only costs me the $20 I have already payed for the right to play today. If I choose to work, invest time in my marital relationship, or just get drunk and gamble I plan on earning a return far greater than $20. Therefore my cost per round at a $600 a month private club is only $20 per round no matter how few rounds I play per year.

Eric,

Thanks. After a week with the near death flu a JK quote is great medicine for me. How big of a boy is JK?

Anthony

« **Reply #9 on:** March 05, 2009, 07:50:59 PM »

Glad you're feeling better Doc. (We're obviously not playing this weekend, shucks.)

« **Reply #10 on:** March 05, 2009, 08:06:12 PM »

Pre- or Post- recession?

Pre, I would have paid a lot. Today, not so much

« **Reply #11 on:** March 05, 2009, 08:38:43 PM »

Clint,

Watching the Masters each year, I sort of fantasize about a day at Augusta and wonder what I'd be willing to do to make it happen. What would one be willing to sacrifice for a lifetime of memories wrapped up in a day? If one goes the charity route, it's doubly sweet because it's going to a good cause and it's deductible. 36 holes, 5 figures.

« **Reply #12 on:** March 05, 2009, 08:39:34 PM »

Quote from: Clint Squier on March 05, 2009, 07:35:33 PM

My guage is probably double the unescorted fee for any of the courses mentioned without much thought at all. Definitely not because I have the money to burn, but the memory of a lifetime is worth finding room in the budget. Golf is my vice, I'll put off buying a new set of clubs or driver to play any of those listed.

I completely agree. Double the unaccompanied fee. And I'd at least throw 5K at Augusta.

« **Reply #13 on:** March 05, 2009, 09:23:00 PM »

Like Dan, my number is 50 percent of what it used to be.

« **Reply #14 on:** March 05, 2009, 09:56:46 PM »

Quote from: Mike Benham on March 05, 2009, 07:05:17 PM

THIS MUCH

Yeah, I thought this had been a question posed somewhat recently here.

« **Reply #15 on:** March 05, 2009, 10:00:41 PM »

Quote from: Sean Leary on March 05, 2009, 09:23:00 PM

Like Dan, my number is 50 percent of what it used to be.

Ah yes, the old '401k / fantasy golf trip' ratio.

I too have taken inventory on what is important and what isn't.....but I file these courses in the "work harder, sell plasma, pimp the dog" category.

« **Reply #16 on:** March 05, 2009, 10:03:03 PM »

One thought. I've walked Pine Valley 3 times and Augusta National twice. Never with golf equipment.

You know what - I had an absolutely wonderfull time each and every time. I could study the architecture, take my time and take in the atmosphere. I never hit a bad shot or missed a putt I should have made. My imagined shots were always pure.

They're great memories.

Pine Valley cost me about $50 total in Boy Scout donations to get me from Clementon Park to the golf club. ANGC cost me $35 once and about $150 the next time. (I still have a pine cone from Augusta 16 tee in my living room!

If you're student of architecture, you needn't pay a huge amount to get to some of the world's best courses.

« **Reply #17 on:** March 05, 2009, 10:28:49 PM »

I have a little different perspective than many that have chimed in so far. I think this thread is a bit different than the one that was linked in that this one specifically asks the charity question. When charity is involved, for me at least, the following things are factors - "what course", "what charity", and "how much of the donation goes to the charity vs. toward the access to the course.

Let's say you planned to donate $1000 to a particular charity in a given year. If you find a golf event linked to that charity, and it is at a course you would like to play and one to which you don't have normal access and all the proceeds go directly to the charity, then it is a no-brainer in my book.

Would I view paying $1000 to play NGLA as outrageous? Yes, if that money was going straight to the course. At that point it is more about perceived value in my mind. If NGLA was hosting a charity event for $1000 where all proceeds went to St. Jude Children's Hospital I would be there in a heartbeat. It is no longer about the "utility" derived from the experience. It is money I was going to donate anyway and it comes along with a nice bonus. Win-win.

When charity is involved, the current economic conditions ought to have the reverse effect that it would have on some other spending decisions (if one is fortunate enough to be in a position to donate.) The tougher the economic times, the more important it is for those of us that haven't been significantly impacted to continue to make charitable contributions, as they tend to decline in times like this.

« **Reply #18 on:** March 05, 2009, 11:46:29 PM »

Quote from: Tim Bert on March 05, 2009, 10:28:49 PM

I have a little different perspective than many that have chimed in so far. I think this thread is a bit different than the one that was linked in that this one specifically asks the charity question. When charity is involved, for me at least, the following things are factors - "what course", "what charity", and "how much of the donation goes to the charity vs. toward the access to the course.

Let's say you planned to donate $1000 to a particular charity in a given year. If you find a golf event linked to that charity, and it is at a course you would like to play and one to which you don't have normal access and all the proceeds go directly to the charity, then it is a no-brainer in my book.

Would I view paying $1000 to play NGLA as outrageous? Yes, if that money was going straight to the course. At that point it is more about perceived value in my mind. If NGLA was hosting a charity event for $1000 where all proceeds went to St. Jude Children's Hospital I would be there in a heartbeat. It is no longer about the "utility" derived from the experience. It is money I was going to donate anyway and it comes along with a nice bonus. Win-win.

When charity is involved, the current economic conditions ought to have the reverse effect that it would have on some other spending decisions (if one is fortunate enough to be in a position to donate.) The tougher the economic times, the more important it is for those of us that haven't been significantly impacted to continue to make charitable contributions, as they tend to decline in times like this.

Tim you make a very good point. While I would not pay $1000 simply because I can't afford that amount, if 80% of that goes to the charity, with say, $100 going to the club and another $100 going to drinks on the course and a 5 course meal afterwards, I can see doing it, so long as the charity is a very good one. When you think of it that way, the perception changes.

« **Reply #19 on:** March 06, 2009, 12:35:03 AM »

How a propos. I just got wind of a pretty good deal in terms of paying one's way into a round at an exclusive private club.

Apparently on March 17 (1 PM start), the Greenbrier Sporting Club is having an Opening Day-type event on its Tom Fazio course, which I've heard is very good. It's $20(!) to play in the little tournament, and the buffet afterwards (not obligatory, by the looks of it) is $35. Not too shabby.

« **Reply #20 on:** March 06, 2009, 03:12:03 AM »

As many have said, I would pay a good amount for some courses on that list, not because I am loaded but because it would be a life's dream. It would require sacrifice elsewhere, but it would be worth it.

« **Reply #21 on:** March 06, 2009, 08:18:21 AM »

I was thinking about this last night and decided that, in my current situation, I couldn't justify paying north of $800 or so for a round of golf. And that would only be on a select few courses, mainly Pine Valley, NGLA, Shinnecock, Cypress Point, and Merion.

Augusta, Oakmont, Seminole, etc., are all great courses. However, the above rank highest on my list, and in turn, get the highest price tag.

« **Reply #22 on:** March 06, 2009, 07:08:10 PM »

Tim-

That's one heck of a deal for Greenbriar Sporting Club. $20 bucks for golf and a $35 buffet...I'd almost drive down from New Jersey for that!

Jim

« **Reply #23 on:** March 06, 2009, 07:19:55 PM »

Quote from: Tim Gavrich on March 06, 2009, 12:35:03 AM

How a propos. I just got wind of a pretty good deal in terms of paying one's way into a round at an exclusive private club.

Apparently on March 17 (1 PM start), the Greenbrier Sporting Club is having an Opening Day-type event on its Tom Fazio course, which I've heard is very good. It's $20(!) to play in the little tournament, and the buffet afterwards (not obligatory, by the looks of it) is $35. Not too shabby.

I don't think there are that many golfers who have Tuesday off in March. I wonder if the course will be open. This course is way up in the mountains.

« **Reply #24 on:** March 06, 2009, 08:23:43 PM »

Shoot....back in the day it wasn't unusual to drop $1500 at a Trout Unlimited Banquet on a guided fly fishing trip on the Bow River and some art.....by the time you do the TU banquet, the Elk Foundation Banquet and the Art Museum auction...a guy could be out $5000 before any golf course around here has opened for the season...

Maybe I had the wrong priorities back then?

News:

Jim Thornton

Tom Huckaby

Jon Heise

Doug Ralston

Mike Benham

Eric Smith

PCCraig

C. Squier

Anthony Gray

Eric Smith

Dan Herrmann

Steve Salmen

Wesley Harden

Sean Leary

John Moore II

C. Squier

Dan Herrmann

Tim Bert

John Moore II

Tim Gavrich

Scott Warren

Chris Garrett

Jim Thornton

Scott Weersing

Craig Sweet

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