Filed under: golf
OK, it’s been a couple of months since I posted anything here. I’ve not stopped playing golf during this time. My club, Virginia Oaks, sent out an email telling the members that they were increasing our dues, because of the economy. I realize that everyone is hurting but I’d just been looking at my golfing history to see if I was getting my money’s worth out of the membership. Based on the number of rounds that I played at Virginia Oaks over the last 13 months, I was only ahead by $250 or so over what I would’ve payed if I was a VGC member (discounted fees) versus a full member. While the rate increase was only $15 per month, that becomes $180 a year and significantly impacts my savings. Couple that with the facts that rounds can be slow and crowded and daily fee players can sometimes be less than gentle with the course, I decided to pursue other options. I checked around and another course, Heritage Hunt, had dropped their membership fees to exactly what I had been paying at Virginia Oaks. I tried the course out on a Tuesday afternoon and I shot 85 from their second longest tees. Where do I sign?
Golf is odd in many ways. Heritage Hunt is located in Gainesville, Virginia in a retirement community. Anyone can be a member of the golf club. I’ve found that I’m definitely on the younger end of the membership base however. The next two rounds I played there were from the middle tees since that’s where my playing partners wanted to play. Those tee can get you into a lot of trouble because the hazards are in play more and I can hit into, or through, the trouble. It caused me to hit clubs off the tee that I’m just not used to using. Because of that the next two rounds were more of an average 95 and 92. The fourth round there was last Friday and the forecast was for rain and possible thunderstorms. I decided to walk and play the longer tees again. I felt good and kept a great speed for the whole round. It showed in my score because I shot my best round of the year with an 82. On Saturday I played with my father and father-in-law. It was back to the middles and I again was in the 90’s with a 91. The end of that round was hurried though as there was an electrical storm blowing in.
Today, Friday, I went back for a round at Virginia Oaks because I waited too long to get a good tee time at Heritage Hunt. The course was packed and the round took five hours. I played pretty consistently and ended with an 86, even though I had three double-bogeys. It was nice seeing the people who work there again but I don’t miss the patrons. On number nine we had to drive to the green to tell two people to get off so we could hit. They apparently thought it was a practice green. I have to wonder how many practice greens have one hole and a big flag stick. In comparison, the people at Heritage Hunt may be older but they keep their balls in play and they move. I suppose they need to get finished so they can go for the early bird specials. Heritage Hunt’s lack of a daily fee probably helps too. You’re either a partial or full member so it’s technically private. I certainly can see the benefits.
As you can tell I’m still playing at least once a week. My handicap should improve a little with the scores I’ve been shooting. More importantly, I’m still having a great time. Now, I need to get more of my friends out.
