I actually like this course, but I'd recently booked a round there, with cart included (this detail is important), as it stated on their website. When I got there to check in, the woman by the name of Susan told me that they were out of carts. Understandable, it happens. So naturally, we proceeded to ask to use push carts that we could use to walk with- a very common item at most golf courses- and they said that they were also out of those. Now keep in mind- it was not very busy, at all. Every tee time after ours and at least 6 tee times before ours were open, so this seemed odd that every single cart and push cart were unavailable. We then asked if the we could change our reservation to play just 9 holes, since they were no longer able to honor the original reservation that we'd made, and we would not have access to the equipment (cart) that was advertised, booked as part of the reservation, and charged to my credit card. To my chagrin, Susan replied by telling me that it was my fault for not calling ahead, even though their website said that there were carts available, and charged me as such. Funny enough- we actually did call ahead, but nobody answered and it went to dial tone. Regardless, their website showed carts available. What is the point of having online booking if the expectation is that you have to also call them to book? Susan then told me "Sorry, I won't be giving you any of the help that you're looking for. You should have called me." At that point I just asked to cancel, and Susan just said "Ok. Go have fun doing something else then."
Now look, I understand that things happen and sometimes you just have to be flexible. I totally get that, and am more than happy to adjust plans as needed. But to offer something, then not honor it, then try to charge the same amount of money to people that were more than happy to work with them around their mistake, and then have Susan treat us poorly as though we made any sort of mistake is just wrong. There was no reason for Susan to not let us at least play 9 holes, when really, they were the ones who made the mistake of offering carts and charging for them, even though there were none available.
This golf course owes me nothing. Susan owes me nothing. I get that. But I've had situations very similar to this one happen dozens of times before, and every single time the courses have been more than willing to work with us when they make a mistake with our reservation. Susan is the only person I've come across who not only refused to help, but then treated us poorly. I just wanted to get this out there so that others don't find themselves in the same predicament that I did. Or at least know that if you book a tee time here, they may change the terms of your reservation without notification, expect you to pay the same price, and then blame you for it.
Not only will I never play at this golf course again, but I will actively warn others against ever visiting and spending money at this establishment. River Ridge Golf Club didn't just lose a customer today. They gained an enemy. read more