golf course conditions

[Mama Mia]

All I can say is if the RMA association didn't have to spend members money on useless lawsuits, maybe we could get something productive done....Just maybe.....

[Wilbur]

Or if they're going to keep spending money on lawsuits, maybe they should pick ones they could win? ??

[Maximus]

Hmmm. In your line of work, save RMA, if you do what I have heard you do, you lose most of the litigation you are involved in. But yet, you persist...... And don't give me the ol' whose paying for it jive because I am paying you to lose/win/show up/post on RMO if you do in fact work for the state.

Humility is a good trait in litigation, counselor. Especially with juries. Unlike sports, you don't know what sport you're playing next, and you don't know who the ref is the next time around. The 3rd DCA won't punt complicated HOA issues if you win the next time around and your whole two-in-a-row string of wins may come to an end when you don't expect it. I wouldn't gloat, but hey, that's just me.

But thanks for your input on the golf course conditions after not having played, for how many years?

[Pumbug]

Wilbur may not play much golf these days, but his comments on where the money came from when "the club and RM were looking pristine" are right on the button. Today the golden PTF goose is gone.
Most folks at RM have the opinion that all this beauty we enjoy happens with out much cost. Over the years, as costs rise and dues are keep low to keep the inmates happy, the result is detereraiting conditions....see golf course...see common area upkeep....etc.
The dues at a good Country Club back east (my brothers) are almost double what we pay here and when they need more there is an assessment.
The HOA dues here are $137/month. The dues on my Marriott time share in Palm Desert (ShadowRidge) are about $70/month....this is for one week/year use.
Expensive yes, but if you want the place to look a certain way it costs money.....period.

[Maximus]

Pumbug I am sure our courses were looking pristine during the tour days. Did you read the posts abut the money the Sr's Tour brought in? So I have to agree that Wilbur's comments on the course conditions of years gone by are right on. That's fantastic.

Today, which is what this post was referring to, we have a water limitation problem, and a top soil problem. You know that because of your involvement with the RMCC. I don't know what RMA dues have to do with course conditions though - I didn't think RMA contributed to the conditions of the courses.

It has been a long time been since an RMCC assesment. It is very difficult to avoid one and Vince and others have managed to do it, while at the same time improve the courses. Yes, there is room for improvement but we are headed in the right direction. I am more concerned about the condition of the courses than the service or quality of food at the club.

Signed (Fellow inmate according to you),
Maximus

[Wilbur]

Originally Posted by Maximus

I don't know what RMA dues have to do with course conditions though - I didn't think RMA contributed to the conditions of the courses.

We're not really in disagreement. My point was that both entities have a shared heritage of subsidy which led to an expectation of Cadillac quality at Chevy prices, and still to this day leaves us wondering why Chevy payments won't deliver a Cadillac. We get what we pay for.

[Old Car Guy]

Wilber, I expect cadillac quality here. We pay as much in dues as Valley Hi and Woodbridge Country Clubs. They are both in pristine condition. I suggest our problems with the course conditions are a problem that needs to be addressed here.

[Curly]

Originally Posted by Old Car Guy

Wilber, I expect cadillac quality here. We pay as much in dues as Valley Hi and Woodbridge Country Clubs. They are both in pristine condition. I suggest our problems with the course conditions are a problem that needs to be addressed here.

Both Valley Hi and Woodbridge are 18-hole courses. Perhaps they are maintaining their courses on the same amount of dues as we pay (I really don't know what their dues are- I'm going off of your comment)- the big difference is, we are maintaining 36 holes. We also have 200+ shotguns a year- which is a great deal of play. Big differences between our club and the clubs you mentioned.

[Curly]

My mistake- Woodbridge is 27 holes- still not 36 like our club.

[hautemomma]

Although I wont disagree that our courses are in need of a little TLC, they aren't as far gone as some here are leading the rest to believe. The club, for various reasons (the CDO is coming to mind) has been working on a more limited budget, wrapped up with a turn in the economy that has made things that much tighter (costs increasing at the same time members aren't spending as much, not buying as new memberships, etc)... simple economics. One chart is going up, the other is going down. It doesn't add up any way you look at it, and I think the powers that be are doing their best to manage the situation.

Be careful what you're asking for- I read this summer that 80% of the existing clubs will not survive the next 10 years, under their current ownership? 10 years- that doesn't even get my kids into high school... and my best golf years are decades away... and I would LOVE to still have a club to play at. The last few clubs that attempted major improvements ended on the auction block... and Club Corp was the proud new owner of most of them. As hard as it is to see things you do not feel are, for lack of a better phrase, up to par, be appreciative that our club is still here for us. I firmly believe that our Board is doing everything they can to keep us alive, and to make our experience as fantastic as it can be.

You want more to happen with the club and the courses? Get down there and support the bar and restaurants. Enjoy one of the supper club dinners. Buy your next set of clubs (that you demo'd at Haggin) through our Pro Shop (I have found out they can order just about anything- even lines they dont carry in the store). Thats the only way we make it out of this mess, and the only way we can get the improvements everyone is looking for.

See ya'll out there next week in the 8:00 shot.