Where are the Ambassadors?

[sdeikenberry]

Played Glenview yesterday, 0742 tee time. After making the turn, we immediately started experiencing 14 minute holes. By hole 6 on Talley Ho, we called the pro shop and asked them to send someone out...we had not seen an ambassador since we began the round on Stirrup Cup. Our complaint was the 14 minute holes. An ambassador showed up within minutes of our call, explained a group three holes ahead of us was playing slow since they teed off, and they were warned once, but not asked to skip holes. The ambassador said they now have two ambassadors for three nines, and it's been that way for some time. He said that's the reason they can't get around to check on everyone or keep players on pace. If this bothers you, call golf administration and encourage them to have one ambassador for every nine. Golf Administration phone number is 352.753.3396.

[mikreb]

Maybe I misunderstood the OP, but isn't 14 minutes the estimated time per hole based on the scorecard.

https://www.golfthevillages.com/championship-golf/images/scorecards/GLENVIEW.pdf

[Polar Bear]

14 min/hole is roughly two hours for nine holes. Not out of line imo.

[Bay Kid]

A beautiful day!

[stanley]

Played Glenview yesterday, 0742 tee time. After making the turn, we immediately started experiencing 14 minute holes.

Again a prime example of the first few tee times playing fast and hitting the backside of the wave on the next nine. When that happens you "think" play is slow on the back. Did you happen to ask the Ambassador where "you" were on "your" time for the holes you played? Did he tell you? I bet you were at least twenty minutes ahead.

[bilcon]

It is amazing that when you think you are playing slow, it really doesn't end up that way. You might have a slow group in front, or they look slow, but in the end you are finished within the four hours. I know that waiting on the fairway or on the tee too long can ruin your momentum., and you could have been done in 3 and a half hours. Don't fret, the beer will still be cold.

[dewilson58]

The ambass's don't do and can't do squat.

Never have, Never will.
We are no longer in Kansas Toto.
It's The Villages, full of old people.....it's four hour rounds.
Once in a while, +4 hours.
Leave the chart children alone.


:ho:

[collie1228]

Just wait until the minimum wage goes up to $10.00 in September, with an annual further increase of $1.00 an hour each year until it reaches $15.00. I doubt The Villages is willing to pay that much for a person to pass out sand and water.

[dewilson58]

$15.00. I doubt The Villages is willing to pay that much for a person to pass out sand and water.


Sure they will.
Plans are in place already.
Reduction of golf discounts.
:thumbup:

[bilcon]

When I retired in NY in the early 2000's, my wife still worked and I was bored. One of the local golf courses asked me to be a Ranger. I could work 3 weekdays, so I was still off weekends. I was paid $8 an hour and could play all the golf I wanted during the other weekdays or after work for free. If was an easy job because I had the power to move slow golfers along, and the free $55 weekday greens fees with a cart were a great incentive. If the weather was rainy, I would run the pro shop and the pro would take off. They give the ambassadors here squat.

[CWGUY]

When I retired in NY in the early 2000's, my wife still worked and I was bored. One of the local golf courses asked me to be a Ranger. I could work 3 weekdays, so I was still off weekends. I was paid $8 an hour and could play all the golf I wanted during the other weekdays or after work for free. If was an easy job because I had the power to move slow golfers along, and the free $55 weekday greens fees with a cart were a great incentive. If the weather was rainy, I would run the pro shop and the pro would take off. They give the ambassadors here squat.

They get 1/2 price golf, which is :coolsmiley:

[drcar]

The ambass's don't do and can't do squat.

Never have, Never will.
We are no longer in Kansas Toto.
It's The Villages, full of old people.....it's four hour rounds.
Once in a while, +4 hours.
Leave the chart children alone.


:ho:

You are correct 4 hour rounds are the norm. BUT you are incorrect about the ambassadors. Maybe before you make a false statement that they can't do "squat" you should check with course management. Or become one and find out what the real situation is.

[stanley]

They get 1/2 price golf, which is :coolsmiley:

And employee discounts on merchandise. There are other "perks" depending on what you do extra

[stanley]

You are correct 4 hour rounds are the norm. BUT you are incorrect about the ambassadors. Maybe before you make a false statement that they can't do "squat" you should check with course management. Or become one and find out what the real situation is.

Thanks! And we do take offense at the "don't do squat" BS

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Just wait until the minimum wage goes up to $10.00 in September, with an annual further increase of $1.00 an hour each year until it reaches $15.00. I doubt The Villages is willing to pay that much for a person to pass out sand and water.

No, that's not exactly how it will go down. From my experience working in a state where minimum wage went up every year while I was working in a minimum wage job:

1. They will expect employees to do more for their money.
2. Those who are on various programs (food stamps, social security) will discover their higher income cuts into their eligibility or full amount, and will either quit their jobs or ask for a reduction in hours, thus making room for someone else to fill the slot.
3. In some places (probably not the Villages, where they have bare-bones staff to start with) they'll reduce hours of low-wage employees or eliminate positions entirely, or put a freeze on new-hires.
4. They'll reduce/remove benefits previously offered to low-wage part time employees.

[dewilson58]

Thanks! And we do take offense at the "don't do squat" BS
chilout

I golf with four abass's on a regular basis and they know their value to society.

Lighten up.

[dewilson58]

You are correct 4 hour rounds are the norm. BUT you are incorrect about the ambassadors. Maybe before you make a false statement that they can't do "squat" you should check with course management. Or become one and find out what the real situation is.
:1rotfl:

[dewilson58]

No, that's not exactly how it will go down. From my experience working in a state where minimum wage went up every year while I was working in a minimum wage job:

1. They will expect employees to do more for their money.
2. Those who are on various programs (food stamps, social security) will discover their higher income cuts into their eligibility or full amount, and will either quit their jobs or ask for a reduction in hours, thus making room for someone else to fill the slot.
3. In some places (probably not the Villages, where they have bare-bones staff to start with) they'll reduce hours of low-wage employees or eliminate positions entirely, or put a freeze on new-hires.
4. They'll reduce/remove benefits previously offered to low-wage part time employees.
Pretty good summary.

[stanley]

chilout

I golf with four abass's on a regular basis and they know their value to society.

Lighten up.

Then choose your words carefully please

[dewilson58]

Then choose your words carefully please
My sixth grade teacher, Mrs. Evans, didn't have any luck with those instructions either.
:a040:
:clap2::clap2::clap2:
:a040:

[Stu from NYC]

My sixth grade teacher, Mrs. Evans, didn't have any luck with those instructions either.
:a040:
:clap2::clap2::clap2:
:a040:

Education went downhill when they did away with corporal punishment.:)

[dewilson58]

Education went downhill when they did away with corporal punishment.:)
:bigbow:

[gdennis317]

Most of the Nines here show 2 hours and 12 minutes +/- on the card, even though many could play in 1 1/2 hours easy if by themselves.

Only takes a couple players to have a couple bad holes and the whole group can fall behind the group in front of them.

Ambassadors have no real authority except to request folks pick up the pace.

[Two Bills]

Most employee complaints I see regarding job changes when a higher minimum wage is introduced, is staff reductions, and the survivors take up the slack.
Wage rises are not always the panacea they seem, but always look good at the next election!

[Stu from NYC]

Most employee complaints I see regarding job changes when a higher minimum wage is introduced, is staff reductions, and the survivors take up the slack.
Wage rises are not always the panacea they seem, but always look good at the next election!

Very true. Sounds like a great idea but in reality often hurts those it tries to help.

[drcar]

chilout

I golf with four abass's on a regular basis and they know their value to society.

Lighten up.

Well maybe the four you play with don't do their job, BUT as I said before, before you make blanket statements get the true facts.

[dewilson58]

Well maybe the four you play with don't do their job, BUT as I said before, before you make blanket statements get the true facts.
:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

Oh Honey, I know exactly what Abass's do & don't do; should & shouldn't do; can & can't do.



Just grab your clipboard and don't worry so much about what others think about your job.


:cryin2:

[thevillages2013]

chilout

I golf with four abass's on a regular basis and they know their value to society.

Lighten up.

How fast does your fivesome play?:bigbow:

[jedalton]

Played Glenview yesterday, 0742 tee time. After making the turn, we immediately started experiencing 14 minute holes. By hole 6 on Talley Ho, we called the pro shop and asked them to send someone out...we had not seen an ambassador since we began the round on Stirrup Cup. Our complaint was the 14 minute holes. An ambassador showed up within minutes of our call, explained a group three holes ahead of us was playing slow since they teed off, and they were warned once, but not asked to skip holes. The ambassador said they now have two ambassadors for three nines, and it's been that way for some time. He said that's the reason they can't get around to check on everyone or keep players on pace. If this bothers you, call golf administration and encourage them to have one ambassador for every nine. Golf Administration phone number is 352.753.3396.
this is true. I am ambassador at Palmer and have to ride 2 courses. This was done due to COVID 19 and hasn't changed. My guess is they are trying to prepare for $15 min. wage and cutting down to only 2 ambassadors on Championship courses?

[Girlcopper]

You are correct 4 hour rounds are the norm. BUT you are incorrect about the ambassadors. Maybe before you make a false statement that they can't do "squat" you should check with course management. Or become one and find out what the real situation is.

Well said!

[dewilson58]

How fast does your fivesome play?:bigbow:
We stay right on the chart time, but we don't rake traps and we throw our cig butts where every we want.

[Bill1701]

Most of the slow play problems I have seen are due to what I call 'ego' players. The people ahead of them may be 300 yds away, but they still won't play because they think they can drive the ball that far.

[dewilson58]

Most of the slow play problems I have seen are due to what I call 'ego' players. The people ahead of them may be 300 yds away, but they still won't play because they think they can drive the ball that far.
I always laugh at the $0.25 putts.
Gotta putt everything, gotta mark & take turns, gotta scope out from all four sides.
Love it. :ohdear:

[EviesGP]

Yeah, I resigned last year(due to COVID and injury), and was looking to return, but noticed the schedule has blacked-out some Champ Amb positions, and learned why. I suspect(ed) that some changes would be coming, and probably permanently? As for the min wage hike, I wouldn't be surprised to see the discount get reduced? As for the "can't/won't do anything", that is totally incorrect. We were trained otherwise, but there definitely is/was some Ambassadors that would not speak to anyone. I had some that sent their late group onto my 9 holes, leaving me to deal with them. I did speak to them, but it's usually too late by then. You talk to them once(nicely), then time them a second time, and depending on the result... Enough said.

[024engine]

No, should be 8 minutes.

[Fastskiguy]

As long as they are within the par time on the card, what's the problem? They paid their money just like you did.

[Jokomo]

Played Glenview yesterday, 0742 tee time. After making the turn, we immediately started experiencing 14 minute holes. By hole 6 on Talley Ho, we called the pro shop and asked them to send someone out...we had not seen an ambassador since we began the round on Stirrup Cup. Our complaint was the 14 minute holes. An ambassador showed up within minutes of our call, explained a group three holes ahead of us was playing slow since they teed off, and they were warned once, but not asked to skip holes. The ambassador said they now have two ambassadors for three nines, and it's been that way for some time. He said that's the reason they can't get around to check on everyone or keep players on pace. If this bothers you, call golf administration and encourage them to have one ambassador for every nine. Golf Administration phone number is 352.753.3396.

We played Glenview last week and had a worse experience . We were playing Stirrup nine and were the last group of the day. When we got to the 9th tee, a couple was just teeing off. Luckily (we thought) an Ambassador was right there. We asked him what was going on and he said they couple had played number 1 and decided to play 9 back to the club house. We asked him to move them off the hole and he drove away in the opposite direction. We stood on the tee for nearly 10 minutes as they hacked their way to the green almost another 10 while they chipped back and forth before putting out. It was a terrible way to end the round and since we were playing so late, cost us at least two additional holes of play. With behavior like this we don’t need ambassadors, we need rangers who understand the game and enforce the rules designed to make the game fun for all customers.

[Fredman]

Love those people with range finders. Takes forever to get the measurements and who is good enough to hit the ball that close. Gps is just as effective and much quicker to give you the approx. measurement.

[JoMar]

Love those people with range finders. Takes forever to get the measurements and who is good enough to hit the ball that close. Gps is just as effective and much quicker to give you the approx. measurement.

And this has relevance to the discussion how?

[Fredman]

And this has relevance to the discussion how?
The discussion was also about slow play

[Fastskiguy]

Love those people with range finders. Takes forever to get the measurements and who is good enough to hit the ball that close. Gps is just as effective and much quicker to give you the approx. measurement.

Range finders are fantastic for making sure the group ahead is out of range before hitting the big stick.

[stanley]

Since it turned to range finders
I watched a foursome on a par three tee today waiting for three to finish up on the green. The three finished up, walked off the green and then two...two... on the tee took out the range finders, then fiddled for their right clubs. Now tell me why they couldn't use the range finders while they were waiting? The pin was never pulled, and why two range finders from the same spot? Silly but this slows up play also.

[Topspinmo]

Just wait until the minimum wage goes up to $10.00 in September, with an annual further increase of $1.00 an hour each year until it reaches $15.00. I doubt The Villages is willing to pay that much for a person to pass out sand and water.

I see amenities fee hike in near future? O wait they are saving money by closing the rec center early? My mistake :)

[davem4616]

at the United Nations????

[chet2020]

Most of the time, the ambassadors are great. But my wife doesn't like it when ambassadors drive up and watch. Most are fairly subtle about it, but one day an ambassador drives up several times, parks 10 yards away from us while we're on the fairway and watches us hit. My wife finally lost it and chewed the ambassador a new one. He took off like a scared rabbit. We still laugh about it to this day.

[tsmall22204]

Golfers complain about anything.

[RErmer]

Played Glenview yesterday so I still had the scorecard. At 2 hrs, 6 minutes per nine, the time expected per hole is 14 minutes. (actual average 13.66). Relax and enjoy your time on the course!

[mrf6969]

Yes, relax and enjoy the fact that you are the right side of the grass. Life is too short to be bitching about this trivial subject. Play golf, enjoy the company.
Also, it does amuse me that a great majority of the golfers here in TV use a range finder. Those that do, try and round without it and you'll see your score will be the same.

[DrBrutyle109]

Played Glenview yesterday, 0742 tee time. After making the turn, we immediately started experiencing 14 minute holes. By hole 6 on Talley Ho, we called the pro shop and asked them to send someone out...we had not seen an ambassador since we began the round on Stirrup Cup. Our complaint was the 14 minute holes. An ambassador showed up within minutes of our call, explained a group three holes ahead of us was playing slow since they teed off, and they were warned once, but not asked to skip holes. The ambassador said they now have two ambassadors for three nines, and it's been that way for some time. He said that's the reason they can't get around to check on everyone or keep players on pace. If this bothers you, call golf administration and encourage them to have one ambassador for every nine. Golf Administration phone number is 352.753.3396.
First of all....14 mins a hole gets you done in a little over 4 hours. Not bad for The Villages. Yes, I played in less back home at my private club, but you must realize that’s not to bad

[beeneyra]

As long as golfers play 9 holes in the allowed time the ambassador cannot say anything. 4 1/2 hours for 18 holes is probably allowed. You would think people could play faster when they don't repair ball marks or rake traps. Cheers.

[vinnytalk]

The courses are for everyone not just great players, lighten up or maybe join a private club

[Rwirish]

2 ambassadors for 27 holes is sufficient.

[PaulUnderwood]

@14 minutes per hole that’s a 4 hour 12 minute round I don’t know what the pace of play is at Glenview but that doesn’t seem unreasonable.

[rwfisher1969]

My sixth grade teacher, Mrs. Evans, didn't have any luck with those instructions either.
:a040:
:clap2::clap2::clap2:
:a040:

:1rotfl::1rotfl:

[dewilson58]

2 ambassadors for 27 holes is sufficient.
Running out of sand???