Greetings Golfers,

Here is the Wikipedia definition of Hospitality: “The friendly and generous reception and entertainment of guests, visitors, or strangers”. I’d agree – that pretty much nails it. And, they list these as synonyms: friendliness, welcome, warmth, kindness, courtesy, generosity, entertainment, and food.

Did you see the word “perfection”? … I didn’t either. In fact, I think if you want to ruin Hospitality, focus on perfection.

That’s because emphasizing perfection is not about emphasizing the atmosphere which is about friendliness, generosity, warmth, kindness, and courtesy.

Usually the focus on perfection is on the stuff and the timetable – not on the atmosphere.

If the host and/or hostess is uptight about the stuff and the timetable … the atmosphere will be ruined. Does that mean that I’m saying the stuff and timetable are irrelevant? Not at all. I’m just saying that they can’t be the focus.

We host a lot of golf events. While working with the hosts, I try to emphasize hospitality. Too often they think that more is more. No, less is more. Too much stuff and too much going on is annoying – not better.

Do you remember going to birthday parties as a kid that had way too much going on and weren’t fun? And yet, the host/hostess was running around with a fake smile saying “Aren’t we having fun?” That’s a pretty sure sign that no one is having fun.

One of our staff members told me about $10,000 high school graduation parties. Sounds to me more about keeping up (or surpassing) the Jones than about celebrating a graduation.

I’m not trying to be hostile … I’m just trying to clear up a fairly important subject. And, guests have a responsibility to be appreciative and grateful. But, the hosts need to be motivated by hospitality rather than getting kudos.

Making people feel welcome is the most important part of hospitality.

Hospitality is a very important part of our lives – business, friendships, family, neighbors, entertaining. Basically it’s following the Golden Rule. I often think that if people just followed the Golden Rule it would solve most of society’s problems. It’s the secret to being a good host … and being a good guest.

Cheers,

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

Greetings Golfers,

Due to popular demand … FunPlayFriday is returning next Friday, the 28th day of April.

Will it be as formal as I just presented the date of the event – not so much. In fact, stuffy is probably not associated with FPF.

The theme is 2017: A Golf Odyssey … the same as this year’s marketing theme … you may have seen the posters or heard the ads on the radio.

Be prepared for an other-worldly day of golf … just like the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey. Of course we will be serving a variety of spirits on many of the tee boxes. Look for a lively version of “Tang” – the one time favorite drink of astronauts.

Also included in the $75 fee is a buffet luncheon you can attend either before or after your round of golf.

And there will be prizes for best-dressed … the voting is probably rigged, but give it your best astronaut look anyway.

To inspire you, click here for our radio ad – 2017: A Golf Odyssey.

Cheers,

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

Greetings Golfers,

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

Greetings Golfers,

How could I not write about the Masters? I love the Masters … maybe not as much as I used to … but on Sunday I may be saying it’s the best Masters ever – it can do that.

Why do I not love it as much as I used to? Because it seems to me it’s losing some of its charm. When I first went there in 1995 it was a life-changing experience – seriously. I wasn’t expecting how casual, and relaxed, and friendly, and intimate it was … I was expecting more of a typical Tour event, and sort of a phony/pretentious atmosphere. I was wrong – very wrong.

In 1995 we rolled in early Thursday morning for the first round. It was crowded, but easy to navigate, and no one seemed rushed. As we walked through the gate, I could see most of the golf course – it basically sits in a bowl. The elevation changes are more severe than they appear on tv. Then as we walked over to the first tee, I knew I was about to experience a unique golf tournament. The Starter was an elderly Southern Gentleman sitting at a table with a rock holding down the tee sheets. He slowly stood-up and announced “Sandy Lyle – driving” then slowly sat down before Lyle hit his tee shot.

It all felt like that. Everyone was courteous, no one was in a hurry. The food stands were even relaxed while they were selling 1$ pimento cheese sandwiches and 75 cent Cokes. Of course we bought folding chairs and parked them right on the 15th tee box – literally right behind the bench that the players sat on. Because 15 is a reachable par 5, the hole got backed up and there were usually 3 three-somes waiting to tee off. Because of the back up, the players turned around and talked to us like we were all at a party. Players were telling jokes, Ben Crenshaw talked to kids, and Jack Nicklaus held court about playing in his first Masters and having the shanks at the range.

On Friday while hanging around the 18th green, I saw a buddy of mine who was repping Arnold Palmer’s line of golf clubs. He insisted that I come over and meet Arnie who was sitting behind the green just talking to people. I argued that I didn’t know Palmer and wasn’t into celebrities. He basically dragged me over while saying that Arnie isn’t like that. So when we got there, I was looking at Palmer’s clubs and admiring his leather grips. He noticed my interest and asked if I also wrapped my clubs with leather grips (which I used to do in those days). Thus began an easy, casual conversation about the art of gripping golf clubs.

Speaking of golf clubs, all of the players were using wooden drivers to shape their shots. And there was no rough. The golf course looked like one big green. A wild shot had nothing to stop it … it would just roll until it ended up in a bad place. Eleven years later when I came back in 2006, there was light rough – not enough to really affect a shot, but enough to stop the ball from endlessly rolling. They said that they “Tiger-proofed” the course, but I think they set it up for him to win. The added yardage weeded out most of the field, and that light rough kept Tiger’s errant tee shots in play.

And in 2006 there were corporate tents. And the crowds seemed massive and unfriendly – a women went crazy because I was smoking a cigar.

I probably sound like a crabby old guy. I might be, but it doesn’t mean I’m wrong. Of course I still love the Masters and have been fired up all week. I just hope that Sunday is exciting and that the heart and soul of Bobby Jones continues to permeate Augusta National.

Cheers,

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