[Laker14]

Originally Posted by vintageogauge

Everyone deserves a second chance.

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

[dnobles]

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.

[Laker14]

Originally Posted by dnobles

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.

[davem4616]

Originally Posted by Laker14

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

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

[Keefelane66]

Originally Posted by Eileenrush

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.

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.

[I'm Popeye!]

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

[wisbad1]

Originally Posted by Eileenrush

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.

No golf for you! Golf nazi.

[Rwirish]

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

[banjobob]

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

[Petersweeney]

Originally Posted by Rwirish

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

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…..

[paulajr]

Originally Posted by Eileenrush

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.

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….

[MrFlorida]

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

[tophcfa]

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

[OhioBuckeye]

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!

[GayleJenkins]

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