Hmmm..the way I see this thing is based all in how one defines elitism. I see confusion between two terms, elitism and exclusivity. IMHO exclusivity is earned and cannot be purchased. There are exclusive clubs. I like those and have no problem with them. It is rare you see a good player who is a top flight, professional player who is an elitist. Most elitists I have seen are not good players and they anoint themselves as elitists. (Actually I think most elitism is self anointed.) But most of the elitism I have seen in golf is not in the clubs as much a s some of the members and employees. Golf lends itself to such due to the fact that the people with the money are so often "jock sniffers" etc for lack of a better word and some average guy who may not have the skills of say a golf pro or supt at some no name course decides he is elite.
Examples would be:
If you are a golf pro/develper type who does his photo shoots with a signature archie with your sweater tied around your neck...you might be an elitist.
If you are a supt who can't sharpen a greensmower but has 5 ribbons on his jacket at a turf conference and consider you outfit "trendsetting".....you might be an elitist.
If you are a golf professional who worked carts or the range a some exclusive club before becoming the assistant at the local club where you can't break 80 and yet you treat the members as though they are clueless....you might be an elitist.
( not to leave out archies) if you are some dude who worked for a big signature before going out on your own and you don't have your name on a single scorecard anywhere and your website only shows the work of the guy you worked for and yet you constantly bash the new breed of dudes out there on the dozers...you might be an elitist.
If you are a state golf association dude going to the two day rules conference and sitting in the front row, asking 20 questions in two days and wearing you crested blazer to he cocktail party where you only hang with the instructor while he is trying to ditch you...you might be an elitist.
And lastly, WITH FEW EXCEPTIONS, if you are a rater who goes into a golf course not on the rating list, to play with your buddies, you have no intention of rating and tells the guy behind the counter you have arrived and wish to play...you ARE an elitist.
So, even though the word elite may be used to describe exceptional athletes etc, I just don't see it as a description of golf courses that have earned their place. It is definitely a huge element of some of the newer clubs trying to purchase exclusivity and in doing so act elitist.
