$500 for a great golf experience isn’t insane at all to me
My wife has a different opinion
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I got invited to be a volunteer caddie at the Shriner’s pro am a couple of years ago. Paired up with Ryan Moore as our pro. The best part of it though was having access behind the ropes, seeing the tournament prep. Watching the pros on the range and putting green and just being right next to them. It was pretty special. Ryan didn’t talk much to the three amateurs paired up with him, so that was disappointing. I tried a few times to engage with him but he just wasn’t interested. Two groups ahead of us Couples was playing and he was slowing down the round because he was literally coaching his amateurs. How great would it have been to be in that group.
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I love Boom Boom
That would be an all time experience to walk 18 with him. Sounds pretty special to get behind the ropes, and hate hearing that the pro couldn’t do a few little things to make the ams round a little more memorable.
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I was offered the opportunity to play Pine Valley with my dad…
It’s like golf distilled… the 9 hole par three course has 8 replica holes OF PINE VALLEY… it’s crazy. We thought we had gotten lost and ended up back on the regular golf course.
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Outstanding.
My perception is that Pine Valley, Cypress Point and Augusta are the Mecca of US golf and an invite is typically a once in a lifetime opportunity unless you have a very special connection!
Absolutely… my dad’s invite (which extended to me) basically came because he was played the occasional round with a member. They were at lunch one day with 6 or so other guys, and the following exchange occoured:
Idiot: Hey, Pine Valley member, aren’t you a member at Pine Valley?
PVM: Yes, I was fortunate to receive and invitation to join and have had the pleasure of being a member there.
Idiots: That’s awesome, I would love to get an invitation to play out there sometime.
PVM: OK.
Awkward Silence
PVM, looks at my dad: Sean, have I ever invited you to play Pine Valley?
Long story short, don’t ever ASK to play these courses…
Sadly, we were supposed to take 2 golf trips this year to other bucket list courses, but COVID hit… I’m hopeful for next year (but certainly not counting on anything!)
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Yes. I echo that sentiment.
I like to talk golf and will share stories if someone seems interested but not a good idea to force it.
#1 tip on how to get invited… be courteous and engaging and generous and invite lots of people to YOUR club or home course. I find that being the organizer of outings / Ryder cups really helps you build a network. It doesn’t have to be an exclusive course for you to show a group a great time and handle all the details that make it special.
We just did a trip and I did custom scorecards and “bought” everyone a hat at pro shop (it was covered in entry fee) I sent out summaries of everyone’s handicap and recent rounds with my own color commentary. Friendly skins game and net low two ball between the groups encouraged some healthy competition. Will that lead to an invite somewhere ? Who knows but I know I met 4 new guys from a different city here in tx who love golf.
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Yeah, my dad will play with ANYONE and has the good fortune to be at a nice club in Palm Springs… We also got to tour the Cincinnati Zoo backstage with a buddy of his. It’s fairly funny, my parents are comfortably retired and my dad is just a down to earth guy who doesn’t care about money or status… he just likes to golf and bullshit.
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Pine Valley might be number 1 on my bucket list even above Augusta. I am so jealous of you.
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That is high on my Coore/Crenshaw list!
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Due to my quest to play all the Coore-Crenshaw courses designed in North America, I have been fortunate to play some cool tracks but in terms of experiences, two stand out.
- Playing Sand Hills and getting to personally meet Mr. Youngscap. To be able to thank him in person for letting me play there was great.
- Playing Austin Golf Club and getting to meet Mr. Crenshaw. He seemed aware of my quest which was flattering and it was also great to play AGC which flies SUPER under the radar.
I also got to play Black Sheep with the golf course architect Dave Esler. That was quite the experience! It was fascinating to hear his thoughts on the course as it has matured.
If/when someone needs a fourth at Cypress, I imagine that experience will top em all (although, admittedly, I may be building up my expectations too high :P).
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Don’t be jealous! It was an awesome experience, but it was still just golf.
It didn’t change my life.
Having fun at golf is all that matters.
Hallowed ground is a spiritual experience for me. Golf on a ho hum course is just golf. Golf on an incredible piece of property created with thought, purpose, and style…something else entirely.
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I get it, for sure… I never thought I’d have the opportunity… it’s an amazing place and is a memory I will cherish for life…
It’s still a golf course. 18 holes. Playing with friends. If you gave me the choice of playing with the same foursome at a dog track vs playing with three guys I didn’t enjoy at pine valley, I’d go to the dog track every time.
I enjoyed every minute of the experience, but what I love about golf is that it’s a time to spend with people. It was an amazing trip and I understand how lucky I am… but playing with people I enjoy spending time with is far better than playing an exclusive course.
Completely agree the company can either enhance or ruin the experience. I’m glad that my dad has been with me to 99% of the more memorable courses. I’ll cherish those days as long as I live.
Actually writing a book about it.
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As a side note, if you ever want to play Valhalla, shoot me a message. I haven’t played it yet, but can get on.
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My man. Good chance I take you up on that sometime.
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Just let me know… a friend of mines brother is a member and he would be happy to host. Valhalla is more a cost than invite problem.
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I played TPC Boston in a tournament through a local series that plays some private clubs in New England. That’s really not especially hard to play though. I think you are meaning more like The Country Club in Chesnut Hill - Boston , that would be something special for me or anyone for that matter.
Baker Hill is probably the nicest track in New Hampshire, they host tournaments through the NHGA some years. I will be up there on the 14th.
I need to make some more connections!
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