Disilusioned Member [Archive] - ozgolf.net forums

Grunt

18th February 2006, 07:11 PM

Really disillusioned with my club at the moment. Seriously considering cancelling membership:-k . As I have just renewed and am paying by the month it should not be too hard. Am sick to death of being a member of a club that caters for everyone other than the members.:twisted: We only have 90 odd members with a max limit of 200

I even ran for a position on the Board Of Governors when it was offered last year. Just to show how the owner treated me, he pulled me aside one night after I had applied, it was not an elected postion but aselected one by the owner, he told me that I was not dressing appropriately for someone running for the board. I had popped into the club on my way home from work and was putting my name in the tee time sheets. :-x. Was I supposed to go home and put on a suit and tie to enter the club?

They did send me a bunch of flowers when I got home from hospital but that was more work of a mates wife that works at the front desk.

I now have almost every month as was suggested to every member that the Board of Governor would be our voice and our communication source with the members. This month I went into how we could get the course to rate a little harder and therefore be more of a challenge. I doubt I will get any feedback other than to say they got my letter.

Sorry for the rant I needed to get this off my chest.

macleod

18th February 2006, 07:52 PM

man that sounds annoying, especially when you're a board member and a peer they should respect that. do you love playing the course?

if the board think the course is their own personal chattel then that's a little wrong but i would guess that's the same at a lot of clubs.

is there somewhere nearer or a good alternative? move to the gold coast? :lol:

markTHEblake

18th February 2006, 08:02 PM

Grant, my club is similar to yours, as in being privately owned, yet has members, as opposed to members owing and running the whole shebang.

Actually our club is very much like St Andrews, which has several independant 'clubs' based there ( a lot of people dont realise that the Royal and Ancient does not own the course ) .

Although I pay my membership to the club, I mainly play in the "Saturday Golf Club" which runs as its own entity, raises its own funds, has its own championships, and has Nominated Representatives - President, Captain, Sec/Treasurer and Committee, that have been appointed by the owners. There is also the Wednesday Club, Business Ladies, Veterans and someother thing, all independant of each other.

Its much like we are a Social Club that plays the same course all the time, which is how it all began when the Course was strictly a Public Green Fee course.

There was many changes over the years, with at one time the Owners taking over the Saturday club entirely, but after a while handed back control to the members, which made everyone much happier.

It sounds to me like you need more involvement by the members in running of your club. Not sure if the board of Governers you mentioned is for the interests of the owners or the members.

In any case, I'd suggest you lobby your mates and make a representation to the owner that the members would like to make a greater contribution to the running of the club and the activities of the members.

Just word it carefully, if you say it the wrong way it will sound like you are looking after your own self interests.

Trung

19th February 2006, 06:06 PM

Grant,

Quit and join another club. There is no future there....

Course = crap
Owner = nazi
Respect for members = none

Jarro

19th February 2006, 06:08 PM

what Trung said ;)

Grunt

19th February 2006, 06:11 PM

has been thought of, mate. Thinking of New Brighton, where Amanda & Matt3Jab are members.

Trung

19th February 2006, 06:16 PM

and Connico ;)

Grunt

19th February 2006, 06:18 PM

oh yeah and brad too.

Matt 3 Jab

19th February 2006, 06:18 PM

So all the good players really

;)

Grunt

19th February 2006, 06:19 PM

I will rasie the standard too ;)

Jarro

19th February 2006, 06:21 PM

don't join Windsor ... i hear all the toffy-nosed poncers prance around there ;)

Grunt

19th February 2006, 06:41 PM

Well the plan is to look into joining New Brighton tomorrow, on their web site it has a no joining fee offer but hte links it has to click on are not working hopefully the offer is still there.

AndyP

19th February 2006, 06:55 PM

Well the plan is to look into joining New Brighton tomorrow, on their web site it has a no joining fee offer but hte links it has to click on are not working hopefully the offer is still there.
Shouldn't you sort out your resignation from your old club first?

Trung

19th February 2006, 06:59 PM

AP,

Grant can be a member of 2 clubs at the same time...

AndyP

19th February 2006, 07:01 PM

AP,

Grant can be a member of 2 clubs at the same time...
Yes, but I assumed that he wouldn't want to be financially committed to two at once, just in case his assumption that he could get out of a monthly payment plan was incorrect.

3oneday

19th February 2006, 07:44 PM

don't join Windsor ... i hear all the toffy-nosed poncers prance around there ;)idiot, apart from the fact it would probably take over a hour to get there.

Peter

Fishman Dan

19th February 2006, 08:16 PM

Grant - there are so many other courses to choose from. Dump Mac Grange, sounds ridiculous. The only thing to consider is that you will have to factor in your 'nomination fee' before joining a new club. But 90 playing members isn't a lot - even at Gordon with swiss-cheese timesheets there are at least 120 starters every Saturday.

Grunt

19th February 2006, 08:34 PM

Just looking at the website for the pay by the month company Pay As You Golf. They have paid my membership in full so there is no getting out of my membership this year. I guess all I can do is keep at the current club admin to try and get Mac Grange into a decent facility for members.

You got me to look AndyP, I guess thanks are sort of in order I think.

AndyP

19th February 2006, 08:42 PM

You got me to look AndyP, I guess thanks are sort of in order I think.
Grunt, you are a hell of a lot more compulsive than me, whereas I tend to overanalyse things sometimes.

At least you've got some time now to decide if you really want to leave, and which club would be the best for you to go to.

Jono

20th February 2006, 02:44 AM

Grant,

Another vote for changing clubs. After your membership runs out, give Mac the flick. It sounds like the owner is a real _____ (insert you choice of description here).

New Brighton is a good idea, but also consider Camden Valley. IMO, both are better layouts than Mac Grange.

Grunt

20th February 2006, 07:24 AM

Fishman Dan

20th February 2006, 07:58 AM

My membership runs out in 51 weeks. I renewed last Monday:???:

In that case, turn up, enjoy the golf, go home.

If you don't feel it's appropriate then don't spend your money over the bar or at the restaurant, but at the end of the day, it's still golf. Don't let club politics ruin your enjoyment of the game.

connico

20th February 2006, 08:09 AM

3oneday

20th February 2006, 08:11 AM

What Dan said, plus simply stay away from the controversies and keep your worthwhile opinions to yourself.

Your club will be poorer, but I guess it's part of being a privately owned club (or a one owner club, if you like).

Pete

3oneday

20th February 2006, 08:12 AM

How can pay by the month pay your membership fee for the whole year???...

Regardless, i thought you could quit a club and get some of your subs back, shouldnt to hard to talk them through it and get a refund?you subscript for the year, but the club allows you to pay it monthly. You would need to check the fineprint but I would think you have committed to 12 monthly instalments.

P

Grunt

20th February 2006, 08:14 AM

In that case, turn up, enjoy the golf, go home.

If you don't feel it's appropriate then don't spend your money over the bar or at the restaurant, but at the end of the day, it's still golf. Don't let club politics ruin your enjoyment of the game.

That is the plan, just to show how much most of the members don't really care about the club, we are all going away for our Punters Club Golf weekend away on the last weekend in March. It just so happens to be on the Monthly medal weekend their would be about 10 of the regular weekend players not going.
With the bar and resturant I don't spend much there any more anyway as he was charging me the same price for soft drink as he does for Beer. With me off the drink for 12 months, why pay 3.20 for a Lemon Squash? To show how stupid he is as owner it is cheaper to go into the pro shop and buy a soft drink than go to the bar. Will see if he starts to charge for water!
I am going to let Dr. Bob's books enable me to carve up the course, stay focused, just play great golf & most of all enjoy myself!!:-D

Grunt

20th February 2006, 08:16 AM

How can pay by the month pay your membership fee for the whole year???...

Regardless, i thought you could quit a club and get some of your subs back, shouldnt to hard to talk them through it and get a refund?

The thing is that it is pay by the month through an outside source, he gets the subs in full, then the outside agency debits you in 10 monthly payments. If you fail to make a payment they cancel your membership but also at the same time it says they start a cost recovery process.

Grunt

20th February 2006, 08:17 AM

you subscript for the year, but the club allows you to pay it monthly. You would need to check the fineprint but I would think you have committed to 12 monthly instalments.

P

Your right pete:?

Eag's

20th February 2006, 08:25 AM

Grant, I feel your pain mate, I have just pulled the pin on my old club Wantima. The place is full of wealthy retired ****heads :evil: who are about as friendly as a bunch of axe murders :rolleyes:

I had nothing but dramas with the club, even something as simple as putting your name down on the comp sheets was a problem. The pro shop staff were rude and unhelpfull. On more than one occasion I had my name scrubbed of the time sheets for comps, or I was moved to another time slot without even a phone call :smt013

I have now joined Virginia where things could not be more different.
Every person I have met so far is friendly and helpfull :-D I already feel comfortable. All new members meet with the club Captain who runs you through comp sheets, course improvements, club facilities and introduces you to admin staff and the pro shop staff, very profesional :smt023

I hope you can find a club that offers you something similar mate.

amanda

20th February 2006, 09:56 AM

Grant - sounds horrid! The NB pay by the month system is a little different - the club gets the money as you pay it.

Only downside - Saturday timesheet is horrendously full - there is a raffle draw each Friday to allow you to book in for the following week.

Maybe just keep an esky in the car with a drink & sandwich in it!

connico

20th February 2006, 10:02 AM

its not that full if you go early in the morning lol..i call up on friday afternoon and asked to play at 7:30 and they where like yeah theres a few spots lol :)

same for sunday...called saturday afternoon and asked for a sunday spot...no probs! :)

amanda

20th February 2006, 10:03 AM

that's pretty good - might be cancellations.

Fishman Dan

20th February 2006, 01:22 PM

You could always do a nude-run across the signature green wearing footy boots - that will get you out of the club quicker ;)

Not sure about your chance of a refund though...

connico

20th February 2006, 01:40 PM

let me get this right...just confirming..you pay month by month??? but inactual fact....you have paid the whole sub fee already????

3oneday

20th February 2006, 01:43 PM

like a loan, the club gets full cash payment from the financier, the financier then charges the "borrower" his monthly instalment including interest.

Basically it is a loan to pay your membership, butif you bounce your instalments your issue is with the financier rather than the club.

Pete

connico

20th February 2006, 01:50 PM

ahh i c now, its like a buying car...why the hell do that for?? do you get charged interest?

Trung

20th February 2006, 02:32 PM

ahh i c now, its like a buying car...why the hell do that for?? do you get charged interest?

Are you ok? :-P

connico

20th February 2006, 02:51 PM

no...i cant get my head around a financier paying your golf subs all in one go and you have to pay him monthly, his gotta get something from you?? and the only thing is admin fee or interest :)

3oneday

20th February 2006, 02:56 PM

no...i cant get my head around a financier paying your golf subs all in one go and you have to pay him monthly, his gotta get something from you?? and the only thing is admin fee or interest :)
that is correct, a small admin fee, possibly $20 or $50 more over the year.

Here's an idea, ring Mac Grange and bloody ask them !!!!

geez :lol:

Grunt

20th February 2006, 03:09 PM

ahh i c now, its like a buying car...why the hell do that for?? do you get charged interest?

The admin fee cost $45 extra per year so subs are 995 instead of 950

Grunt

27th May 2006, 02:30 PM

Well, it came to a head today. I was not enjoying my golf @ Macarthur Grange anymore.
It is weird, I enjoy playing golf with the guys but every time I get reminded of things that the owners says or does and I get flustered and stop enjoying my golf.

Today has been stewing for a few months and I guess it had to happen. When I was home at 9 this morning Rachelle looked at me and said "what have you done?" "You did not blow up did you?". I just replied that I was not enjoying it so I came home. I was supposed to play/qualify for the C Grade pennants team tomorrow but I am going to have a hit at Royal Botany instead.

The hunt for a new club is on once more. I am going to look at getting a country membership that gets me a good deal. Rachelle is happy as it will get me home more Saturdays.It will be hard to get a game anywhere in Sydney on a Saturday unless invited as a guest of a member anywhere else.
As I am a shift worker I play most of my golf through the week anyhow and if I get the right country membership it will open up a lot of cheap open days.

Jarro

27th May 2006, 02:33 PM

good luck Grant .... sounds like a step in the right direction for you 8)

Grunt

27th May 2006, 02:41 PM

Also last night I sat down and worked out an estimate of my golf costs @ Macarthur Grange. It worked out at almost $3000 a year for 40 games ($1000 membership + $2000 golf costs). I discussed it with Rachelle and we both concluded that it was way to much money for what I got out of it.
I worked out that I could play as a visitor 20 times a year with the chance of winning the visitors prize and still be in front if I join another club (country membership $250 + joining) and play open days like I do now anyway.

Andrew

27th May 2006, 02:48 PM

Bravo & well done.

If there is any way I can help, I will.

Great decision!

Fishman Dan

27th May 2006, 09:57 PM

You could still play your golf there, but tell them you're not interested in C-Grade pennants?

Anyway, good decision to tell them where to go. FYI - Casino is $100 even, no requirement to play there ;)

connico

28th May 2006, 12:11 PM

short listed golf courses???

i reckon you should do newcastle?? heheh

Courty

28th May 2006, 09:13 PM

Vote with your feet, Grant. Walk out on the pricks.

Grunt

1st June 2006, 09:01 PM

Well this topic sort of got killed off by my possible relocation out of NSW. I am still working on it, just in case I am not sucessful in getting any of the interstate jobs I have entered an Expression of Interest in.
I went to Macarthur Grange today using the possible move as an excuse for getting out of the club. I was shocked to hear that there have been previous questions asked by members wanting to get out of the pay by the month memberships. They are implementing a policy for people to use and so far they were thinking of just making it easy and stopping payments with 1 months notice. I was very happy hearing this.

When I got home I contacted Bathurst in regards to their membership, they manage the pay by the month system themselves.To join all I had to do was fill out the Direct debit form and send it back with the application form and a cheque for $50 (joining Fee). Pay by the month was around $30 a month.

Even if the transfer does come through, I could just play open days where ever I end up as a visitor and with all the reciprocals that Bathurst has I may even be able to get a game on some weekends.

If the Tranfer fails, I will have got rid of my problem club relieved the finances and probably play way better, being not troubled for having an opinion to get my club to be a better place for it's members.

3oneday

1st June 2006, 10:28 PM

If the Tranfer fails, I will have got rid of my problem club relieved the finances and probably play way better, being not troubled for having an opinion to get my club to be a better place for it's members.sounds to me like you will have a lot on your mind this Sunday ;)

:lol:

Grunt

1st June 2006, 10:35 PM

nope, the biggest worry will be if I will be in NSW for the final.

Fishman Dan

1st June 2006, 10:35 PM

Bathurst @ $30/month = $360 with $50 joining.

Casino = $100, no joining. You also get NRDGA reciprocals for playing around there, including Lismore, Ballina, Byron, Ocean Shores, Murwillumbah and Cooly/Tweed.

Your call. If you move to Brisbane you might even play there ;)

Matt 3 Jab

2nd June 2006, 09:31 AM

Hmmm, casino aye, might have a look myself.

BrisVegas

2nd June 2006, 09:58 AM

Casino = $100, no joining. You also get NRDGA reciprocals for playing around there, including Lismore, Ballina, Byron, Ocean Shores, Murwillumbah and Cooly/Tweed.

That's a good deal! The discount at Ocean Shores and Cooly-Tweed would be handy as they're both nice courses and doable from Brisbane.

Fishman Dan

2nd June 2006, 11:22 AM

I think the only time Ocean Shores doesn't discount is during the Blue Marker, because generally the fields are always chockers!

Casino actually lopped $50 off the Country Member price, and it was a great deal then, and if you're out that was it's not a bad course either!

Grunt

15th June 2006, 03:20 PM

Well the endless pursuit to get out of Macarthur Grange continues. I have just had a phone call from the owner advising me that to get out of my membership he would charge a 3 month penalty plus the NSWGA Affliiation fee. Total of $350+ to can my membership, not happy at all!!!!

miro

15th June 2006, 03:22 PM

Tell him to sue you for it.

AndyP

15th June 2006, 03:24 PM

Is this to get out early, Grunt? If so, he may be able to do that.

Grunt

15th June 2006, 03:29 PM

Yeah he may, but he is actually being catty about it. If he were to kick me out I could probably just walk away. I did not want to do that.

connico

15th June 2006, 03:41 PM

scheme to get kicked out of the club, just make sure you already have a membership somewhere else before you do that lol :p

Regardless, just agree to do something and then pull out and keep doing something like that till they realise you dont want to be there!! :p

3oneday

15th June 2006, 03:45 PM

Close the bank account they direct debit.....

Grunt

15th June 2006, 04:03 PM

Already thought of the closing the account idea. Pay as you golf will take legal action to get their money back.

I just filled in all the forms to join Bathurst and spoke with the Secretary Manager. Am going to join there, will see what happens with Macarthur Grange, but it will not be getting any good press from me. Also they cant kick me off their forum on their web page. They thought it was bad me posting when I was a member, just wait and see what gets posted once I am no longer. I know stuff that may not be good for others to know.

3oneday

15th June 2006, 04:08 PM

Already thought of the closing the account idea. Pay as you golf will take legal action to get their money back.maybe, maybe not....

I find it unlikely the owner can also do as he says, unless it is in the Clubs rules and regs thingymajig. I mean, how does he charge you that, send you an invoice ;)

Courty

15th June 2006, 05:32 PM

Does he have a daughter?
Just arrange to be caught in a compromising position with her.
Your membershp will be cancelled quicker than you can pull your pants up. ;) :mrgreen:

3oneday

15th June 2006, 07:58 PM

Does he have a daughter?:mrgreen:he has a son :lol: :lol:

Grunt

15th June 2006, 08:09 PM

Actually has 2 sons and a daughter! Not going to burn bridges, but I may be able to make them a little shaky at the foundations without people knowing who or why they are shaky.

Courty

15th June 2006, 09:46 PM

he has a son :lol: :lol:

That'll still work. ;) :lol:

Fishman Dan

15th June 2006, 11:51 PM

Why are you in a hurry to get out of the 'contract' - to join another club.

Just stop playing there?! Your AGU handicap is still useful elsewhere. Just wait until it expires before you join another club?

You're spending way too much time and energy on something for a 'moral victory'. As if i have to tell you this - but there are far more important things in life.

Grunt

16th June 2006, 07:36 AM

It is the $100 a month I don't want to pay for a membership that I get about $20 a month out of. Why should I represent a club when playing at other courses? He is getting free advertising from me, F&*( Him!!! How many of you would have played there if it were not for me having OzGolf Games there? I think , Not many.
I am also sick and tired of turning up at a course and they don't recognise it even though I have a Golflink card, The Coast, Glenmore Park, Wallacia, Oatlands, Carnarvon are just some of the courses that if I play there nothing gets in the Golflink system. It might be the Golflink systems fault but it is a pain in the **** to play good dolf and not see the results on your handicap. I have had 5 40+ point rounds this year not go onto golflink.
You all have heard how hard they tried to get me to play C Grade pennants for them by not putting cards in from other clubs that sent the cards in by means other than golflink.
Sorry if this seemsas if it is just a bleat issue for me but since the tumour in January I especially do know there are more important things in life. It just may be a side effect since the op but I no longer have the tolerance for people that P*& in peoples pockets to get a gain for themselves in life. The owner of this club is like this, he even asked me to work on his plane, cheap, for him, outside CASA rules by the way.
Sorry for the long post everyone.:neutral:

Grunt

9th February 2008, 08:33 AM

It has finally happened. As of Saturday, Febuary 16 2008 I will no longer be a member of Macarthur Grange Country Club.
I was due to play my final game as a member there today (I may play as a visitor there when I need a saturday hit) but due to overnight rain and the preceeding rain this week the course is closed due to flooding.

THE END

Fishman Dan

9th February 2008, 08:56 AM

You're still making a song and dance of it. You need closure. I recommend you meet with Mac Grange for a lunch somewhere.

Courty

9th February 2008, 09:11 AM

It has finally happened. As of Saturday, Febuary 16 2007 I will no longer be a member of Macarthur Grange Country Club.
I was due to play my final game as a member there today (I may play as a visitor there when I need a saturday hit) but due to overnight rain and the preceeding rain this week the course is closed due to flooding.

THE END

Apparently it's not the end. If your membership finished in 2007, why have you been going there for the last 12 months? :p