[RG3rGWcA]

This may get a little long, but it's something I've thought about a bunch in the last while. I played in a Charity event a short time ago that had a pretty good turn-out and I think we all had a blast, at least my group did to the most part.

It was very cold and windy that day making distance and control extremely tough. There were two groups on each tee starting out, but we did not play together. The first group went out and once they hit their second shots we were off. The group ahead of us were all pro's, lol. I walked up as we were waiting for the horn, introduced myself and these guy's were like "So"? Three out of four of them were jerks, no big deal to me, but my partners were p@#%d. The "Pro's" tee'd off and only one even hit the fairway, but not far.

To make a long story short, as we played the very tight, tough course we found closest to the flag and long drive flags in unreal spots, with the same couple of name's every time. My group shot 11 under. However, we get back to the club house and find out the winning team were the jerks. They actually doubled our score. Seemed a bit unreal when we followed them all day and never glimsed a great shot once. Not even close divot marks, lol.

My problem was not really with that. Towards the end of the round one of the guy's on my team actually moved one of the closest to the pin markers. I saw him do it when I was back to the cart and asked him about it. He laughed and said those guy's are jerks and he drove off? Right/wrong, good/bad, I don't care! This was not right. We lost, who cares? It was for fun! I was the one who invited this group and paid their entry fee's. He only moved it 4 or 5 inches, but still. He won't be asked back!

Anyone else ever find themselves in a position like this?

[vRmy0Fzg]

I have not. But it happens all the time it seems. I play in quite a few charity events this year and go into it looking at it for fun only. I dont care about the competition, because it is filled with sandbaggers and cheaters. They know who they are and do not need myself or anybody else to point it out to them. It seems as if the people that do this care a little too much.

It is the same in reverse. THe people that complain a lot about it complain a little too much. There was a thread on this forum months ago about someone willing and wanting to fight over something like this because he was right and they were wrong and wanted a personable apology despite his partner acting like a jerk. I think most people go into it with good intentions, but it only takes a few groups to ruin the event. And yet they do each and every one.

Look at it this way. Those that need to do it, or need to complain about it, are the ones that lack the security to just move past it and not enjoy it for just what it is. They are the same people that claim the longest drives, best scores, greatest clubs, and more on websites, yet when you play with them or invite them to play "they are always going through a swing change".

It happens and its a shame that a few ruin it for the rest of the honest golfers, but they are and always will be there.

[seosoftseo]

All you can do is play your game & ignore the asshats. Sure it may piss you off at times, but what good does that do? It's not going to solve the issue.

PS, don't go into an event thinking you will win or have a shot at winning. Just go out to have fun & contribute to the cause. That way you won't be disappointed when the cheaters once again "win".

[RG3rGWcA]

Good post JB. I was a little dismayed over their actions, I'm pretty competitive, but my own invited guest shooked me. I never expected him to stoop to that level.

[RG3rGWcA]

That's right Dyna, it was about the charity not us!

[MadMark]

I agree with what JB, and others posted. As long as the charity is making out, who cares?

I have a "collared" shirt I wear sometimes to charity tournaments. On the front it reads "I don't want to hear about your swing change". On the back it reads "just hit the damn ball already". I have even worn it a few times when golfing with friends. It's my "don't bother with excuses" golf shirt. I had 50 of them made up for a charity to sell, and they sold them out in about 30 minutes.

[trilochana.nejman]

I have not. But it happens all the time it seems. I play in quite a few charity events this year and go into it looking at it for fun only. I dont care about the competition, because it is filled with sandbaggers and cheaters. They know who they are and do not need myself or anybody else to point it out to them. It seems as if the people that do this care a little too much.

It is the same in reverse. THe people that complain a lot about it complain a little too much. There was a thread on this forum months ago about someone willing and wanting to fight over something like this because he was right and they were wrong and wanted a personable apology despite his partner acting like a jerk. I think most people go into it with good intentions, but it only takes a few groups to ruin the event. And yet they do each and every one.

Look at it this way. Those that need to do it, or need to complain about it, are the ones that lack the security to just move past it and not enjoy it for just what it is. They are the same people that claim the longest drives, best scores, greatest clubs, and more on websites, yet when you play with them or invite them to play "they are always going through a swing change".

It happens and its a shame that a few ruin it for the rest of the honest golfers, but they are and always will be there.

Excellent points and right on the money!


You go out to play because you love the game and whatever follows will follow. If you're out there to be recognized or applauded then you're out there for the wrong reasons. People who play the game earnestly and honestly may not receive awards for that, but they often find themselves being invited to play with others because those qualities shine through and are the qualities that most people are attracted to. The cheaters, the sandbaggers and the "Look at Me's" are a dime a dozen but honesty and integrity offer rewards that no trophy could ever equal.

-JP

[tactWeiccaf]

Duey - Did you move it back?

[RG3rGWcA]

No Diane... I didn't! No excuses, I should have made him stop and put it back.

Thankfully, the guy still got the prize.

[tactWeiccaf]

Hindsight is 20/20. I'm sure you were stunned when he behaved that way. I would have been.

[niemamczasu]

While I certainly agree that the charity was what it was all about, I suspect I would have told the sponsor or person in charge of handing out the prizes. I have little tolerance for idiots and suffer them poorly.

[Zpxbawtz]

Hah, the biggest problem I've experienced with charity tournaments, is not the sandbaggers, but the opposites, the ones who think they're alot better than they are. When asked what their handi is, they'll say something like, eh, probably a 15 or so.. When you're playing with them, it's like "what's your handicap again??"

On topic...

That's an awkward situation, since you invited the guy, his poor behavior and your lack of corrective action would reflect poorly on you, even if you reported the incident.

[Kimeoffessyr]

I understand your problem. I had a different, but similar situation.

I was once playing with a regular golfing companion at a really nice course where they had new fluffy towels attached to each of the ball cleaning stations. These were new and obviously expensive towels.

He took one. I was stunned but said, "You're not really going to take that are you?"

He said, "they're not going to miss one of these towels and I paid a lot of money to play here."

I let it go, but that was the last time we played together. I can't stand a thief.

[tactWeiccaf]

That's an awkward situation, since you invited the guy, his poor behavior and your lack of corrective action would reflect poorly on you, even if you reported the incident.

I don't entirely agree with that. People that know Duey know that he's not the jerk here. I don't think he's tainted by the association.

[RG3rGWcA]

I can't argue one bit with what I should have done or how it reflected on me, I was the one who brought the guy. Right or wrong I didn't and should have. It did cost him though. I won an extremely valuable golf trip for four during the raffel drawing.

Thanks Diane, that was very nice of you.