CONTINUING THE DEBATE ABOUT THE DEMISE OF ESTABLISHED TOURNAMENTS

FROM BRENDAN McKENNA

 

This debate is an interesting one and each of the comments submitted so far have valid points to them.

 

The most common gripes of competitors playing 36 hole competitions that I have encountered are pace of play and cost.

A typical 36 hole competition these days would cost £15 - £20 to play in. A typical competitor will pay for petrol, new golf balls, lunch in between rounds and a pint thereafter. It’s not a cheap day out, and it will last close to 10 hours.

 

I would personally like to see 36 hole competitions not reduce their fee, but provide more value for money. For example, providing a bottle of water/fruit on the tee and having a basic soup and sandwich lunch between rounds would save the travelling golfer a decent amount of money and most likely ensure he/she returned.

It would also speed up the turnaround time between rounds.

 

In addition, I would have to say that communication between organisers and players is, in many cases, poor.

Players who have played a competition should be lettered or emailed and advised of the competition date for next years event when the date is confirmed.  

Setting up a facebook page and posting regularly as the entry deadline draws closer is also key.

 

Finally, having a facility to pay up front, online via paypal or similar would be helpful. It would also mitigate the cost of entrants failing to turn up due to inclement weather/hangover and perhaps allow the organisers to charge less.

 

Brendan McKenna

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