Bad Day At The Course
 

I run a group of 28 golfers that have been golfing the Executive courses once a month for the six years. We have always marveled at the friendliness of the staff everywhere, their enthusiasm and their helpfulness. To me, the ambassadors and starter shack staff set the tone and depict what The Villages are all about.

Yesterday, Sunday April 3, we were sadly disappointed. I think the Starter Shack at Mangrove/Sweetgum has changed its mode of operation. It is not a very friendly place! It started, when checking in; a female with a very grim face scrutinized our Golf I.Ds (I wondered if we were on the FBI Most Wanted List) She coldly informed us that we were very early. I explained that I was in charge of the large group that was scheduled and would help to keep them moving. There was no comment, no welcome of any kind and no smile. Our group did go off without any trouble. As the last foursome of the group, we pulled up to the tee box to cheer the group ahead of us off. I guess this is a big no no. The ambassador came running across the street donning a nasty angry face and stated in a very harsh voice that he had not told us that we were up and that we needed to back up to the waiting line. We explained that we were all in the same group and were just cheering on our friends. He got angrier. He said “Back Up! I said, Back Up, I have to keep order here”. Not sure what he thought we were doing. We started to turn around and he yelled again “Back Up.” We backed up the ten yards to the waiting line. This man should not be working with the public. What was gained by his behavior? He certainly left us with a bad taste. Is this the attitude we want to portray in Florida’s friendliest retirement hometown? Not sure who I should register a complaint with so thought I would just vent here.

Don't worry, he will be leaving for a new job next week.
He is among the the first draft of the new Villagers Golf Cart anti speeding police:icon_wink:!:icon_wink:

Start with the pro at the nearest championship course. I was once told the exec’s are under their management.
Agree they both need some “management “.

That was a wrong thing to do.

You are supposed to wait at the white line until the previous group is off the green or until the starter tells you to advance to the first tee.

You should have known that.

Report it, certainly, but if it was one event, it is possible they had some issues and were not in a good mood because of others giving them a hard time - unlike you.

I had a similar atypical experience at a rec center earlier in the winter. Long boring story, but in essence, one of the staff was very rude to the assembled pickleballers. I took it up with the head of the Rec Dept. via email, and also the head of the specific Rec Center where it occurred.
There were about 16 of us picklers involved and we all agreed that it was the first time any of us had run into treatment from a rec center staffer that wasn't friendly, helpful and courteous.
I got responses to my letters, and assurances that the employee identified would get "coaching"...OK, whatever their system is it seems to work.
I'd suggest you find whoever is in charge and engage them in a description of your experience. It seems obvious to me that whoever is in charge of training these staffers is motivated to provide friendly, courteous service. I say that because it generally is.

The reason the toads stand out is because they are so rare. If this were an everyday occurrence we wouldn't be reading about it.

They don't seem to last long. Or if they do it is because they were informed that their act needed cleaning up.

Agreed it was wrong but could have asked in a nicer manner.

I understand your wanting to vent, but you need to call the facility that over sees that course. Call Evans Prairie and ask for the manager.

Civility is something that is becoming more and more rare.

Some years back I was at the ticket counter of Minneapolis - St. Paul airport being "helped" by a Delta counter agent who had obviously had urine-soaked corn flakes for breakfast. Needing to get past him in order to get to my flight I put up with his vitriol, but once past him I said in a loud voice (loud enough for a lot of fellow passengers to hear) "give a joker a uniform and minimum wage, and he thinks he owns the world".

It got a round of applause.

You seem to indicate that this was the first occurrence of this kind. Why not take a deep breath and let it go? I think that you will be feel better than trying to pursue a problem that may never happen again.

Had a few occurrences of Barnie or Barbie Fife at a starter shack or ambassadors. Fortunately a rarity. Human nature and perhaps feelings of Authority and Power. As most anytime in the public.

Well, wow... a big crime was committed here, no doubt. I suspect that the reason for the rule is so that people teeing off aren't bothered or intimidated by the next group in line. I can't see any reason for making a big deal out of it other than to protect the group on the tee from being bothered by the next groups.
Once it was explained what the situation was, the starter could have either gently explained WHY it's not allowed, or just let it go.

There was certainly no need for the starter to get his panties in a knot over this terrible (note sarcasm there, please) infraction.

Some people have very little authority and are hell-bent on using every bit of it.

Everyone deserves a second chance.

True, but the second chance is more likely to go well with a bit of coaching from the bosses.

It is very rare. We had a starter at Pelican give my husband a hard time about his shirt. His shirt was a Henley shirt. It’s on the approved list. We took it up with the tee time office and they assured us it was an approved shirt and would speak to him. I have a great relationship with most starters and ambassadors on the courses I golf on. There’re great people.

My foursome played Silver Lake a couple of Sundays ago and as we finished the ambassador came up to us and thanked us for playing their course. As you say, it's almost always a good experience.

yup...they're out there....thankfully not a lot of them though

You could have told him “I’m a Villager and I have power” my brother in law uses it all the time whether it works or not he seems to think so.

You need to hire a Goon for your group in order to keep those power hungry Starters and Ambassadors in check, I’m available... :1rotfl:

No golf for you! Golf nazi.

Don’t see the issue if you would have followed the rules.

Play on ,move on , get over it, forget it , nobody cares you treated badly. The starter and ambassadors were from NYC.

Part of the new broken windows policy…. If the starter didn’t intervene your group probably would have committed felonies on the rest of the course…..

Wow..this must have really gotten your panties in a knot..you posted the identical thing all over the place!!
Your group broke the rules…you got your feelings hurt.
Starters are REQUIRED to closely check ID’s especially for people who show up “once a month” who they aren’t familiar with. You are REQUIRED to wait at the white line until the starter tells you to go. So…your complaints are negated by the fact that your once a month group ignored the rules that the people working there are paid to enforce. Chill…enjoy your game. Or better yet, get a job at the course, deal with people who don’t think the rules apply to them, and check back here after….

I played there last week, that same lady was very friendly and nice, maybe you ticked them off by not following the rules ?

Whenever your having a bad day at the course, just remember, it’s still way better than a good day at work : )

Yea I hear you, sounds like the starters & ambassadors are getting to be little gods, LOL. Believe me I’m not picking on you but when we lived there in Charlotte the guy that ran our Executive Leagues had I’m guessing 50 to 60 people & he did this at least once a week & never heard him ever gone through what you are. Guess you’ll have to be more patient, LOL. I’m thinking it’ll get worse not better. Hang in there!

I believe the people in the shack are always confused. We watched a worker run after a cart yelling. The cart turned around and said we’re done golfing. We’re leaving!! The older gentleman gets very confused

6 years of bliss. Why worry about one bad day.

When the starter heard they were all in the same group, the tone should have backed off a bit. I know there is rules but there is also common sense. Golf is supposed to be fun, especially on the executive courses. Give some a little power and they think they run the world.

all that was needed was to ask....
 

the starter if it was okay to pull behind as they were in the same group. not all course starters have the same process. they should, but they do not. asking is easy and it's amazing how many villagers just take it for granted that because some starters allow it they must all allow it.

assumptions not required

OMG!!!! You used the "N" word!!! (not the other one). You used it as a JOKE and in reference to Seinfeld!!!! Beware, there is a certain "blue" poster, who if consistent, will now jump down your throat, call you a racist and a bigot, tell you that you're a horrible person, etc, etc, etc ad nauseum. I'm surprised we haven't heard from her already. And if you make another such joke, God help you!

Well, then, I'll explain it to you.

The starters and ambassadors are there to facilitate play, and to help people have fun on the courses. They are not paid to yell at people, or treat players rudely, EVEN IF, yes, even if a rule has been broken.
Does that help you to understand the "issue"?

Is it a big deal? Nope. But it is not the way things should be run, and it should be corrected.
Among the possible responses by the OP, probably the best was to rant on TOTV. Many people would have gotten hot right back at the starter, and that would have ruined the day.

Careful. Some of those Ambassadors are pretty tough.
:1rotfl:

Rude empyoyee
 

Very simple ask his name, ask to see Village I'd card, call Village official immediately. Bet you get an apology before the dialing is done, but call anyway he doesn't deserve any slack.

The OP cannot let this go.

In addition to here there are over 100 comments on next door. Is this the biggest problem in your life?

OP we play in 3 different groups, with as many if not more players. Guessing our groups are very different, and rule oriented.

No offense but driving up before starters sends you out is rude. Not only to the foursome in front of you, but to those behind you. If you think they need you to encourage or instruct them, then you might want to apply for a job as an instructor.

My father taught me golf, he was old school, rules were to be followed.

My father taught me that kindness and tact is a better instructor than rancor.