Please Read Entire Post. Lengthy but must know if you plan on playing there.
Let me first start by saying this course is fabulous! The condition was fantastic and greens are top notch with great speed and very true roll. The design and layout is very challenging, it is not easy by all means. If I was just rating the course and condition it would get 5 stars!!
My review and star rating reflects how we were treated by the "Ranger" on the course. As aforementioned this course is challenging for all level of skilled players. Our group consisted of seasoned players with handicaps of 2, 5, 5, and 7. It is especially hard for people playing it for the first time as we were. Most fairways are tree lined and many are also narrow.
We were on #3 a Par 5 with 2 players to the right in the trees when the "Ranger" approached us. We were completely shocked when he barked at us that we were 4 minutes behind pace and needed to speed up. Not the typical "Hey guys, enjoy your round and try to keep pace with the group in front of you." The correct way to convey the point.
Again #3 and only 4 minutes behind, because we looked and found a couple of balls and the "Ranger" was giving us attitude. Anyone who plays golf, especially a "Ranger", knows the Ebb and Flow of the game. In a hole or so we would be back on pace and still had the group in front of us in sight. This is when our round started to sour.
Again, Shocked at the attitude, players became flustered and rushed which only made it worse. The scores on the next two, three holes or more for other players reflected the unnecessary pressure and attitude the "Ranger" placed upon our group. Remember Hole #3!! 4 minutes behind!!
We made the turn in 2 hr 15 minutes. All was good until #14, when again we were looking for a couple of balls and fell back a couple minutes. As we approached #15 tee the "Ranger" aggressively told us that we were way behind the group in front of us and that "If we did not speed up we were going to have to SKIP #17" a Par 3. To that point we always had the group in front of us in sight.
Absolutely Shocked again!! Threatening us with having to skip a hole was infuriating! All of the enjoyment we were able to salvage from the round was now gone. We voiced our frustration, told him "Not a chance" we would skip #17 and that his attitude was counterproductive by rushing us which creates more pressure in turn having to spend more time looking for balls.
"Rangers" Attitude on #3 was Unprofessional, but the aggressive attitude on #14 was Extremely Unprofessional and unacceptable. By #17 we caught the group in front of us and ultimately completed the round in 4 hr 35 minutes. Anyone, who has played this course for the first time knows that pace of play is completely acceptable and that the attitude and pressure from the "Ranger" was uncalled for.
We knew several of the groups behind us and as they finished they echoed the exact experiences with the "Ranger" barking at them on #2. Telling them that our group, first off, was the problem and we talked back. We also heard that the "Ranger" made derogatory comments about a player in the third group. Completely Unprofessional!!!
Our representative spoke with the GM, who worked with him in setting up this group, and he surprisingly defended his "Ranger". This was as big of a shock as the uncalled for attitude of the "Ranger".
In conclusion, when playing this course be prepared to not look at the beautiful setting. Do not spend more than 30 seconds looking for a ball. Do not expect to have fun unless you can hit the ball straight as an arrow every single shot. Do not fall more than 5 minutes behind or you will be verbally assulted by the "Ranger". If this does happen DO NOT hold back what you think of the "Ranger". We just wanted to enjoy a beautiful course on a Saturday.
All "Ranger" reference in quotes because his cart should read Crotchety Old Man!!! read more