[kendi]

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

[Watchdr@yahoo.com]

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.

[Mortal1]

Originally Posted by VApeople

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.

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

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by wisbad1

No golf for you! Golf nazi.

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!

[Laker14]

Originally Posted by Rwirish

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

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.

[Flyers999]

Originally Posted by 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...

Careful. Some of those Ambassadors are pretty tough.

[Larchap49]

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.

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.

[Stu from NYC]

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?

[asianthree]

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.

[Laker14]

Originally Posted by asianthree

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.

[Marathon Man]

Originally Posted by Laker14

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.

WOW!!!! Too much coffee?

[Laker14]

Originally Posted by Marathon Man

WOW!!!! Too much coffee?

not at all, thanks for the concern. Just trying to help people see that having broken a rule (and a very minor infraction, at that) does not give license to others to be nasty.
There is simply no need, nor justification for it.

There have been many responses that indicate that it was OK for the employees of the starter shack to be abusive, simply because a rule was broken. I'm just trying to explain that is not the case. That is not their job, nor their license.

There is also no need to assume or suggest that my encouragement towards tact and civility over nastiness is the result of a chemical imbalance.

Stay nice, smile. Be friendly. It greases the wheels of our community. Makes things run so much more smoothly, don't you think?

[Papa_lecki]

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC

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?

I love all the comments, like they know what’s going on the in the starter’s life. Yes, starter could have been nicer…. BUT
what if the day before he or his spouse get a bad medical diagnosis?
What if it was the 1 year anniversary of their spouse’s death?
What if their son/daughter/grandkids (who they hadn’t seen in 2 years because of COVID) left the day before?

It easy to throw stones, but consider everything.

AND BTW, golf etiquette says, you don’t cheer on the first tee box (unless it’s the Waste Management Open)

[Laker14]

Originally Posted by Papa_lecki

I love all the comments, like they know what’s going on the in the starter’s life. Yes, starter could have been nicer…. BUT
what if the day before he or his spouse get a bad medical diagnosis?
What if it was the 1 year anniversary of their spouse’s death?
What if their son/daughter/grandkids (who they hadn’t seen in 2 years because of COVID) left the day before?

It easy to throw stones, but consider everything.

AND BTW, golf etiquette says, you don’t cheer on the first tee box (unless it’s the Waste Management Open)

That's why I think the OP handled it properly, by not getting back into the face of the starter. There may well be other issues that set the person off like that, and it's not the OP's job to figure it out. However, the starter's supervisor might well know about these things, or, may well know that this is a recurring problem with this particular employee and has nothing to do with external problems. I don't know, you don't know, and the OP doesn't know.
Either way, it really doesn't change the appropriate course of action.
And yes, we all agree that a rule was broken by the OP. He/she acknowledges that.

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by Papa_lecki

I love all the comments, like they know what’s going on the in the starter’s life. Yes, starter could have been nicer…. BUT
what if the day before he or his spouse get a bad medical diagnosis?
What if it was the 1 year anniversary of their spouse’s death?
What if their son/daughter/grandkids (who they hadn’t seen in 2 years because of COVID) left the day before?

It easy to throw stones, but consider everything.

AND BTW, golf etiquette says, you don’t cheer on the first tee box (unless it’s the Waste Management Open)

That would be the 16th hole