Via Email – Received August 2, 2011
Thank You GCC!
I have never e-mailed a course to say thank-you before. I have played golf since dirt was young, and grew up playing Riverside and Battle Creek Country Clubs, two very good courses. I play at least four days a week from April to October and I’ve played all over Michigan, Myrtle Beach and Palm Springs. I played GCC last week with a golfing girlfriend (an excellent golfer – walk-on in the day at MSU, still single-digit handicap) and we have done nothing but rave about your course ever since. How could I have missed this gem all these years???
Your course is in IMMACULATE condition. The greens were fabulous – the truest I have EVER putted. Being a woman, I am, unfortunately, used to scraggly ladies’ (yeah, yeah, forward) tee boxes, poorly sited and aligned. NOT ONE of the holes on your course has overhanging tree limbs, overgrown shrubbery or tee markers which point who knows where. The grass is just as good as on the men’s tees, and it’s all great. Now I realize course design plays into this equation and you have inherited a gem, but the upkeep makes a good design play great and boy, did GCC ever! I can’t tell you how many times my friend and I play courses (expensive courses) where we throw up our hands and practically scream in frustration – did anyone male ever try to hit a shot from this tee?
Your course also satisfied us in terms of length and distances. At 5200+ from the ladies’ (yeah, yeah, forward) tees your course is what we call a “Goldilocks” course – not too short, not too long, but just right. We drive the ball average 180-220, and hit a 5-iron about 150-160. I know that’s not professional long, but for old duffers, that’s pretty good. Longer than 5400 and we’re hitting woods into par fours or there in a long three. Shorter than 4900 and you’re hitting PW into par-3s at less than 100 yards…ICK! We figure a woman, like a man, should be able to reach a green in regulation with a driver and an iron; par fives in three with a shortish iron in. Par threes should be a variety of club lengths in, and NOT all 85 yards. Your tee boxes are at perfect distances to challenge without feeling beaten to a pulp by the end of the round. If this was the original set up from the course architect, the guy was a visionary or had a wife who was a reasonably good golfer to assist. If the course has been changed since, what, 1927?, then someone got it right, at least from my perspective.
Also, we appreciate respect as golfers from grounds staff. Mowers and rakers traditionally do not stop for women golfers because they assume we can’t hit it more than 50 yards, and then drub it down the fairway. They clear out and turn equipment off when men are on their holes. Your staff was courteous and beat a path to the roughs, ignition off as we played several holes on the back nine. Thanks to those gentlemen. We noticed and were grateful.
I could go on, but you would be too embarrassed. Please feel free to share this e-mail with your staff – they are doing a great job. Whatever YOU’RE doing, please continue. You can bet, I will be back, and I am spreading the word among my up-north golf girls to waste no time in booking at your beautiful course.
Thank you again,
Beth