I am an ex-ambassador, having been fired and have joined a very exclusive and fast growing number of ex-golf course employees...without explanation. That being said, the ambassadors are not glorified water-boys. They normally do a fantastic job...sometimes in the face of abuse from players who think they are glorified water-boys!
The executive courses are totally different from the championship courses. Usually players move along with no delay and no one gets upset.....in the 5 years I worked the executive courses, I had only once incidence for slow play.
Now.....on the championship courses, it's way different.
What you experienced is way out of line and you should have brought this to the attention of the club pro or the "outside manager" who is responsible for seeing that the ambassadors are making sure the "pace of play" is maintained. Each ambassador is given a list of players and their starting times for the nine holes that the ambassador is responsible for. On that list (starting sheet) are times that indicate the time, on the clock, that each group should be at each of the nine holes. If a group starts to fall behind, the ambassador should approach the group, greet them and...."I need you to do me a favor, your group is behind XXXX minutes, and I will appreciate your picking up the pace of play so that others and not being held up. The ambassador marks this event on his starting sheet. The ambassador should "touch" each group at least 3 times during the nine holes. If the tardy group is behind after the ambassador asks them politely to speed up pace of play, the ambassador should then tell the group to move immediately to the appropriate position on the course. If they refuse or do not get into the proper position on the course, the outside manager is called to the course for appropriate action. All of this is thoroughly documents on the ambassador's starting sheet.
Next time, let the pro know!
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