Don’t Worry About the Rain

Greetings Golfers,curb

You know that saying “April showers bring May flowers”? Well, I think for Minnesota it should be “May showers bring June flowers”. We’re about a month north of most of the country. But, a little rain shouldn’t stop your golf plans. Last Sunday the report was for rain – it rained for 15 minutes at 4pm – big deal. Because of this rain phobia inspired by an over active media to heighten the threat of storms, people waste valuable beautiful Minnesota days.

So, every year I send the following:

Did you ever see the episode of CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM when Larry accused the weatherman of manipulating the weather reports so he can have the golf course all to himself?

Did you also know that episode was based on fact and that all weathermen manipulate their weather reports to keep people off the golf courses?

Well, maybe I’m exaggerating a little bit … but not much.

Bad weather makes news. Bad weather keeps everyone tuned in. Gee, how did we survive before Doppler Weather reports?

Make your tee times dependent on your schedule – not the dubious reports of the weatherman. And, if it’s too nasty of weather – just cancel. Or, try it out and if it’s not fun, come inside for a raincheck, refund, etc. We’re not trying to take advantage of you trying to play golf in bad weather. I’ve heard of golf courses that won’t give rain checks if you play one hole – that’s real fair. We’re not like that. We’ll do whatever is fair. And, we’ll error on the side of getting you on the golf course. That’s what we do. We want people to play. We don’t do all of this work just so people can drive by and say “What a beautiful golf course.”

You’re under no risk making a reservation to play golf. And you’re under no risk trying to play if it looks like rain.

Try it – you’ll like it.

Cheers,

Tom Abts
GM and Head Golf Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com

Arrogance

Greetings Golfers,

This is more than my usual Friday blog. It’s actually my June column. So it’s longer than usual … but thought it was worth sending. Hope you enjoy it.

Arrogance is probably the most shocking quality that I encounter. I’m always shocked by it. You’d think after all of the years that I’ve spent on this planet, that I would be either numb or just accepting of arrogance. But no, it blows my mind every time I run into it.

I’m not talking about the random bragging or momentary puffed-upness that everybody does. I’m talking about the just fundamental trait of arrogance. Webster defines being arrogant as “having or showing the insulting attitude of people who believe that they are better, smarter, or more important than other people”. The key word in that definition is “insulting”. Confidence is a great quality. But confidence isn’t insulting – arrogance is.

The other day I was talking to an old friend who used to manage a golf course, but got wise and now is a full-time golf instructor to people who enjoy golf for fun. He’s a happy man – he doesn’t miss the arrogant characters who used to tarnish his ex-golf course.

Besides the weather, most of our problems at the golf course come from arrogant people. I’m going to bore you with a list of typical infractions: they show-up late for their tee time; drive their cart in restricted areas; play slow and back up the golf course; play too fast and hit into people; they’re loud and obnoxious; they try not to pay; they demand an extra long pour at the bar; they cut in line; they don’t want to be paired up with anyone; they spit sunflower seeds on the golf course; they bring their own food & drink onto the course; they never repair a divot or fix a ball-mark or rake a sand trap; they give their playing partners unsolicited swing advice … I could go on and on. Basically they think they are too special to observe the rules of the course and the rules of common courtesy.

Do we all screw-up? Probably. But the arrogant people that I’m talking about do these things consistently. And what really defines them is that they get angry when called out for their bad behavior. They believe that they are “entitled”.

Ah … being entitled … what a charming attitude! But, as a society, we’ve brought some of these problems on ourselves. The ridiculous statement “The customer is always right” is flat out dangerous. So if a customer comes in and throws a rock through our front door, I guess that’s ok? So money (a paying customer) trumps everything?

It’s not only customers – it can be employees. Sometimes we have staff members who are “too important” to do what has to be done. Or, “it’s not my job”. Really? As you can imagine, those people don’t last very long at Deer Run.

And politicians promise everyone everything. “Vote for me and I’ll give you what you’re entitled to”. So with people constantly hearing that they can have and can do anything they want with no personal responsibility … it’s not surprising that there is so much arrogance. Then add in that every player gets a trophy … when do people learn the values of delayed gratification and persistence? And what about the value of fair play? And what about the reality of getting what you pay for? People take pride in getting products and services for way less than what they’re worth. How does that work? Shouldn’t transactions be fair?

Do I live in La-la land? I hope not. I think that most people want to do the right thing. I just think there are so many messages out there telling people what they want to hear, that they’ve been brainwashed. Most marketing is constantly telling people they can have whatever they want, whenever they want … and at “a deal”. Really? How does that work?

This gets back to arrogance – the attitude that “my specialness means that the normal rules of society don’t apply to me”.

I’m not saying to be a conformist – I believe in individualism. But real individualism is based on personal responsibility. It seems to me that arrogance is a form of being spoiled. Ironically, people are always telling me that because we provide such a good golf experience that we’ve spoiled our customers. And I want to spoil them in the sense of giving them the best golf experience I can. Yet, “spoiling” can turn into an attitude of that it’s never enough. Same thing happens to spoiled kids. I tried to raise my kids to be individuals and independent and self-reliant. And I tried to give them what they wanted. It’s a tricky balance … as a parent, as a society, as a business.

I think things have to be earned. That’s why that “everyone wins a trophy” thing is not good. Experiences like that develop arrogance. Spoiling kids develops arrogance. Things coming too easily develops arrogance. And then you can see how arrogance leads to taking advantage of other people – and they feel it’s right.

But, how do we deal with arrogant people? What works? They feel entitled and get angry when they can’t do or get what they want. I try to emphasize what is right and what is fair when dealing with arrogant people. That’s the only way I can feel good about dealing with them. It’s amazing that I’m still shocked by arrogance – but it’s probably better than taking it for granted.

Cheers,

Tom Abts
GM and Head Golf Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com

For the Love of the Game

Greetings Golfers,

I was a lucky guy growing up In Minnesota. My neighborhood was full of kids and we played baseball, football, and hockey all the time. It was way more fun than organized sports – we played for the shear love of playing the game.

We’ve always wanted to bring that basic fun of playing a game to Deer Run GC. That’s why I still play golf – I don’t play as well anymore, but I still love to play golf. I wish the powers that be would simplify the rules of golf and the whole etiquette thing would lighten up. It’s not brain surgery – I don’t buy into the whole silence and non-movement deal … just get up and hit it.

Now if people want to play heavy-duty golf, that’s another thing – go play in the State Am and State Open, etc. But your round of golf with your friends should be a lot more casual – even if some money’s riding on it.

In fact, the money should never matter – the winner should buy the drinks after the round. I have no issue with people gambling on their golf game – but I do have an issue if it’s about the money. I’ve seen too much money involved and it can cause hard feelings or even destroy friendships.

I believe that golf should be played for the joy of playing the game, and for the joy of being with good people.

Playing strictly for money seems to be the opposite of that. If it’s just frosting on the cake – fine. But, if it’s about the cash … go to Las Vegas.

Professional golfers are trying to make their living playing golf. They probably love golf – but it’s their job. They better take it seriously.

The rest of us need to relax and enjoy it. Just like when we played neighborhood sports as kids.

Cheers,

Tom Abts
GM and Head Golf Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com

John Daly and Tim Herron

Greetings Golfers,

Last Friday was a good day for the game of golf: John Daly made his debut on the PGA Champions Tour, and Deer Run GC hosted FunPlayFriday.

Both events had two very talented players gracing their fields – John Daly at the Woodlands GC in Houston, TX, and Tim Herron at Deer Run GC in Victoria, MN.

About 20 years ago John and Tim were two of the longest hitters on the PGA Tour … and probably the best cigarette smokers on Tour. A buddy of mine stopped in to visit the duo when they were roommates while playing at a Tour stop in Tucson. I think they had the Marlboro suite.

Daly hit the scene 25 years ago winning the PGA Championship at Crooked Stick in Indiana. He was the 9th alternate and got in at the last minute after driving all night from Arkansas. His “grip it and rip it” style blew away the field. Then four years later, he won the British Open at St. Andrews. Sometime take a look at the list of British Open winners at St. Andrews – pretty formidable.

But John also went through four wives and supposedly $50 million in gambling.

On the other hand, Tim has a solid marriage and great kids – Minnesota should take some of the credit.

Daly only won 5 PGA Tour events. I say only because he won 2 Majors before he was 30. Not only could he hit it a mile – his first 10 years on Tour he led in driving distance – but he also had a great touch around the greens. Long John could be a big winner on the Champions Tour (I always want to call it the Senior Tour).

Tim Herron was on the 1993 champion USA Walker Cup team. And he won 4 times on the PGA Tour. Tim is 4 years away from the Champions Tour. FunPlayFridays are probably what he needs to keep his game sharp.

Cheers,

Tom Abts
GM and Head Golf Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com