Good to have two threads for the price of one...someone please contact Renaissance Golf so we can put the CommonGround thing in the (common) ground, once and for all!
On to Jeff Brauer's initially obvious and subsequently ingenious inquiry...after little thought and much plagiarism, I have assembled this list:
1. People? Which people? Us, them, you guys?
2. What investment/sacrifice of time, money, effort is at stake here?
3. How completely focused are our subjects on the golf? Or, to rephrase, how extreme are the distractions from the golf?
4. What is the level of golf-breeding of these golfing customers?
5. How complete are the Entry and Exit Interviews?
6. How thorough is the "turn off"?
These elements are ultimately so diverse in the clientele of a golf course that the number of potential resolutions and reactions is immeasurable. I think it helpful to create a measuring device before measuring. Given the above six questions, I'll take Saratoga National as my test round and give you the following analysis.
1. People? Which people? Us, them, you guys?
At the time, I was a better-than-average golfer, in that I could shoot mid to high seventies on occasion, finding myself mostly in the low to mid eighties for 18 holes from the tips of a golf course.
2. What investment/sacrifice of time, money, effort is at stake here?
My sacrifice of time was the five to six hours it ultimately took from turning off my car to restarting the bugger. My sacrifice of money was the usual green fee, probably around $125 at the time for golf and cart plus refreshments. My sacrifice of effort was little, as I was already up that way to watch a rowing competition.
3. How completely focused are our subjects on the golf? Or, to rephrase, how extreme are the distractions from the golf?
I don't recall the names nor the attributes of the folks with whom I was paired, so it is safe to say that we neither bonded nor discouraged/distracted one another. We probably spoke of common things while waiting to tee off, on the rides to the next shot, while evaluating putting lines. We noticed all the water and marshland and my guess is that these relentless (Roger Rulewich) hazards kept us focused on the architect's goals of reaching the promised land (or are they losing golf balls?)
4. What is the level of golf-breeding of these golfing customers?
I knew the names of architects. I had little experience/reading of their particular stylings and no exposure to the present-day practitioners. I did not know at the time why I shunned this type of golf course; just that I did. It did not surprise me to learn that Rulewich had worked with RTJ Senior a great deal. HOWEVER, I could not complain about the quality of the grounds. I enjoy fast and firm (although I despise burned out) and I also enjoy soft and slow (although not gooey).
5. How complete are the Entry and Exit Interviews?
It is the responsibility of the entire team to make the customer feel welcome and unique, be the customer paying public or the guest of a member. Service is the only element of the industry that matters; people remember the interpersonal touches. An operation that doesn't understand this is a course that works too hard to get you to the first tee at the beginning and into your car and on your way at the end. Ambiance extends throughout the entire property.
6. How thorough is the "turn off"?
Just as we measure chicken wings in Buffalo: mild, medium or hot? A proper exit interview immediately erases the mild and goes a long way toward minimizing the medium. An employee worth its wage will immediately notice the "hot" turn-off player and take steps to investigate/resolve. The lesson is, train your parking lot club scrubbers in the psychological arts and you'll eliminate a lot of bitter situations before they have a chance to sour.
Ultimately, my experience was a good one, for me and me alone. The weather could have been kinder; the gods of golf, more lenient. I would recommend the course to anyone who inquired, with the aforementioned points as my guide.