Open Events & Prizes

Dr_Colossus

Can all you club golfers advise what prizes are offered for open events run in your home club or clubs in which you've played open events. I'm talking about open singles competitions including scratch cups rather than team events and am-am fundraisers.

The reason for the question which will hopefully result in a list of what's available at different clubs around the country is to determine how considerate clubs are to visiting players, some of who travel long distances. As a club golfer who plays alot of open events and scratch cups I find winning a prize nearly more hassle than they're worth.

(Disclaimer: Rant regarding Forrest Little GC to follow)
For instance I recently came 2nd in a scratch cup in Forrest Little Golf Club. How the course was well presented and I thoroughly enjoyed my day's golf shooting my first sub 80 round. I traveled to the club to play the round and after posting my score figured I'd be in the running so enquired in the pro shop and bar if the prize presentation was likely to be that evening and if it was worth my while waiting around. No one had a definite answer and was told to put my number on the card and someone would likely call with information.

Anyway I traveled home and received a phone call to say I'd won a prize (didn't specify what place) and that the prize presentation was that evening (in one hour) and asked whether I'd be able to attend. I didn't know whether I'd won so out of courtesy to both club and sponsors I jumped in the car and made the journey back. Presentation was very efficient and I received a golf bag for my performance.

Golf bags are generally quite expensive so I was quite happy with my prize and had envisioned exchanging it for a pair of shoes, push trolley, golf trousers or other items I had on my golf shopping list. Yesterday evening so I made the journey back to Forrest Little for the 3rd time to exchange the bag and was shocked to discovered the pro shop would only allow me goods to the value of €65 for the bag. The bag retailed at €85 but they'd only give me €65 worth of goods since that's all the club would have paid them for it. That was bad enough but even worse was the selection of stock in the pro shop. There was absolutely nothing I needed or even wanted. Was going to just get a couple of boxes of golf balls but then they didn't stock Titleist, Srixon or Bridgestone balls and only had a few boxes of Callaways. In the end I just took a voucher to the value of €65 as thought I'd at least be able to use it against future open competitions or green fees but was then told I'd only be able to use it in the pro shop as competition and green fees are treated separately. I left disappointed knowing I'd have to make yet another journey back to the club if I ever wanted to get some value for my prize.
(Rant over)

So my question, should GUI vouchers not be standardised for open competitions? The clubs hosting the open competitions are GUI affiliated and the GUI vouchers are very versatile offering golfers the means of using them in their choice of golf club and shop. Furthermore the vouchers can be posted out to the winners saving hassle and expensive travel costs.

Granted clubs receive sponsorship in various forms and often want to support their own on site pro shop but in the cases such as Forrest Little where these are poorly stocked this is just not practical for visiting players. Club golfers can save prizes and vouchers won and use these to offset the cost of new clubs and gear but this isn't viable for once off players.

Has anyone experienced the same or had any success in trying to get a club to issue a GUI voucher in place for otherwise impractical prizes?

Dr_Colossus

Not to sound ungrateful as winning a prize is always nice but there's also a massive disparity between prizes in clubs around the country relative to the entry fee involved. One of the best prizes I received was in winning an open day in Oughterard Golf Club last year, entry fee was €20 for a midweek open day so I wasn't expecting much when I received a phone call that evening to say I'd won the competition and that they'd send a voucher in the post. Despite having an onsite pro shop I received a GUI voucher to the value of €90 a few days later. A great and hassle free prize.

Something like the below is what I had in mind and I hope people will add to. Information obtained from personal and playing partners' experience along with observing prizes on display over the past two years.


Venue: Oughterard GC. Competition: Midweek Open Singles. Entry Fee: €20. Prize: 1st = €90 GUI Voucher

Venue: Roganstown GC. Competition: Midweek Open Singles. Entry Fee: €25. Prize: 1st = €40 Roganstown Voucher. Golf shop poorly stocked but voucher can be used against green fees and future competition entries.

Venue: Forrest Little GC. Competition: Scratch Cup. Entry Fee: €20. Prize: 2nd = Golf bag retailing at €85 but exchangeable voucher for €65. Voucher only valid for goods and services in proshop which is poorly stocked.

Venue: Beaverstown GC. Competition: Scratch Cup. Entry Fee: €20. Prize: 1st = Ping i20 Driver, 4th = Footjoy Sport Shoes, 5th = Box of 12 Titleist ProV Golf Balls.

Venue: Blainroe GC. Competition: Scratch Cup. Entry Fee: €20. Prize: Large Ballyelland Pottery Plates for gross and vases for nett.

Venue: Westport GC. Competition: Midweek Open Singles. Entry Fee: €25. Prize: 1st = €40 GUI Voucher.

Venue: Druid's Glen GC. Competition: Midweek Open Singles. Entry Fee: €40. Prize: 1st = Druid's Glen Voucher for goods to the value of two rounds of golf.

Venue: Black Bush GC. Competition: Open Saturday. Entry Fee: €15. Prize: 1st = Footjoy AQL shoes from Black Bush pro shop.

heavyballs

I don't think giving green fees for the course u just played is good enough,GUI vouchers is the way to go imo

Tones69

heavyballs wrote: »

I don't think giving green fees for the course u just played is good enough,GUI vouchers is the way to go imo

I agree 100%

cackhanded

Dr_Colossus wrote: »

Venue: Blainroe GC. Competition: Scratch Cup. Entry Fee: €20. Prize: Large Ballyelland Pottery Plates for gross and vases for nett.

That's Blainroe knocked off my list of must play scratch cups .

Webbs

Do people only choose the events they play because of the prizes on offer!! I play scratch cups or open days because its usually a great deal on a course I want to play.

I think we should follow the UKs example more where prizes are of far less monetary value and a pat on the back and a little plastic golfer on a plinth will suffice ;-) .
In my opinion the value of the prizes in Ireland has contributed to Ireland having a far greater problem with handicapping than the UK where players go out to win a competition for the kudos and not monetary value

cackhanded

Well it was only meant tongue in cheek, but I do prefer to win something I will actually use regardless of the monetary value (Captain's Prize / Monthly Medal excluded).

heavyballs

Webbs wrote: »

Do people only choose the events they play because of the prizes on offer!! I play scratch cups or open days because its usually a great deal on a course I want to play.

I think we should follow the UKs example more where prizes are of far less monetary value and a pat on the back and a little plastic golfer on a plinth will suffice ;-) .
In my opinion the value of the prizes in Ireland has contributed to Ireland having a far greater problem with handicapping than the UK where players go out to win a competition for the kudos and not monetary value

the point i was making is clubs giving green fees out doesn't cost them a penny and that's not fair imo,a certain % of the take should have to go back towards prizes,a lot of players win feck all so when they win one it's nice to win a good one

dwolf20

Last Saturday - Balbriggan - Intermediate Scratch Cup - 15 euro Green Fee - 3rd Nett - Louise Kennedy Tipperary Crystal bowl - (online value 120 euro)

ryaner777

can I ask a newbie question as someone who has never won a golf competition or been a member of a club.

What for or where can a GUI voucher be used ?

Do they accept them in all golf clubs or can you use them in the likes of halpenny or McGuirks ?

nocal

It is common enough for a club to get items from their pro shop at a reduced rate. I would never expect to get the "full value" when exchanging a prize. All you can really do is try to negotiate with them and split the difference, but bear in mind the pro shop probably has different margins on different equipment.

Dr_Colossus

ryaner777 wrote: »

can I ask a newbie question as someone who has never won a golf competition or been a member of a club.

What for or where can a GUI voucher be used ?

Do they accept them in all golf clubs or can you use them in the likes of halpenny or McGuirks ?

A GUI voucher is just a voucher underwritten by the GUI which the club in question pays for, their name will be written on it along with yours if I remember correctly. The vouchers can be used in pretty much any club and golf shop such as McGuirks and Halpenny. People have also reported that they can be used in the likes of Tesco even so I guess most department stores would accept them also when the realise what they are. Very handy and it's what clubs should be issuing as prizes for open competitions.

Blue for Ever

heavyballs wrote: »

Webbs wrote: »

Do people only choose the events they play because of the prizes on offer!! I play scratch cups or open days because its usually a great deal on a course I want to play.

I think we should follow the UKs example more where prizes are of far less monetary value and a pat on the back and a little plastic golfer on a plinth will suffice ;-) .
In my opinion the value of the prizes in Ireland has contributed to Ireland having a far greater problem with handicapping than the UK where players go out to win a competition for the kudos and not monetary value

the point i was making is clubs giving green fees out doesn't cost them a penny and that's not fair imo,a certain % of the take should have to go back towards prizes,a lot of players win feck all so when they win one it's nice to win a good one

I think there is a big difference between what the prize should be for a scratch cup v's a mid week open comp. The entry fee may be the same but the prestige is very different. I think a green fee voucher is acceptable midweek, at the end of the day you have paid about 20 euros for a green fee and a competition entry fee together therefore the Prizes can't be much. I recently won a midweek open and won a voucher of a 4 ball for another unrelated but high quality course which was great.

finchkerry

Although I see where Dr. is coming from I still feel prizes for open competitions and especially team competitions should be minimal, thus not encouraging bandits to keep on winning them. Really an open competition is a 'cheaper' way of playing a course than a normal green fee but obviously with the downturn and many clubs struggling to even get normal green fees at a higher price open competitions are a lot more common.

For instance I recently played an open competition at Dunmurry Springs for only €15, at that price for such a brilliant course the prizes should be nothing of great note. Fortunately or unfortunatly I was going great at one point but finished with only 2 points from the last three holes for 34 points and asked if i was annoyed that I could have let the competition go, pending if the scoring was low for which I replyed obviously annoyed about the last three holes but for the quality and presentation of the course, the greens were immaculate (side note they were the best i played on in some time) and I could not fault tee boxes, fairways or bunkers for €15 it was great for just under four hours entertainment. That €15 would be gone so quick down the pub, cinema these days sets me back €25 by the time tickets & food is bought so in comparison a round of golf on a course set up superbly for only €15 I don't think there should be any meaningful prizes it's the cheap round of golf that's on offer, nothing more. Besides I have more pride in playing to my handicap than for a stupid bit of crystal that neither my missus or mother want! Sorry for harping on, in my opinion open competitions are ruined these days. Also I have no affiliation with the golf club, played there twice impressed both times.

big_drive

What type of prize is the norm for 1st place in the likes of a junior scratch cup?

ernieprice

I have to agree with finchkerry that prizes in opens should be minimal. The winning of a prize is secondary to playing and enjoying good golf. I recently played in an open competition and scored 42pts from the back markers. I play (played) off 9 and beat the css by 6. I phoned the course on Tuesday evening to check the CSS and was told that 3 cards were still to come in but that I had won my category (0-9). On Wednesday morning I got a call from the club to tell me that the CSS was 36pts and that I did not win my category as 45pts had come in and that I was in category (9-17). If the prize had been important to me I would have argued as to why the category was changed but I was more than happy just to score well especially as I completed the back 9 holes in -1 gross. Happy days.

sector

big_drive wrote: »

What type of prize is the norm for 1st place in the likes of a junior scratch cup?

Well as in their name it used to be for a cup but more recent years your looking at anything from a driver to a voucher. think i noted lucan's recent one wqas for 150 yo yo's.

big_drive

sector wrote: »

Well as in their name it used to be for a cup but more recent years your looking at anything from a driver to a voucher. think i noted lucan's recent one wqas for 150 yo yo's.

Was wondering as I played in one recently and the prizes were on display. Thought they looked poor- a golf bag for 1st that was worth approx €70 I'd say. For a comp that cost €25 to enter I'd didn't think it was great. So was wondering if that was the norm

Dr_Colossus

ernieprice wrote: »

I have to agree with finchkerry that prizes in opens should be minimal. The winning of a prize is secondary to playing and enjoying good golf.

In that place why bother playing in opens at all and just play casual rounds instead. Would a good score in a casual round be any less rewarding than in competition. For me it's the playing for a prize and the added pressure it brings that adds to the concentration and enjoyment.

big_drive wrote: »

Was wondering as I played in one recently and the prizes were on display. Thought they looked poor- a golf bag for 1st that was worth approx €70 I'd say. For a comp that cost €25 to enter I'd didn't think it was great. So was wondering if that was the norm

There's a massive disparity in prizes on offer in different clubs for similar entry fees and as such it's no harm to reward the better clubs for their contributions through word of month and increased footfall.

However what I was trying to imply in my original post is not so much the value of the prizes at stake but the clubs consideration for away players. Open competitions involve some element of travel to play the game so if you perform well you shouldn't be expected to make multiple return trips to collect or exchange a prize which is often of minimal value/use anyway. Personally I'd much prefer receive a similar or lesser value GUI voucher in the post and save the hassle.

colmsix

best prize entry fee to value ratio was nine hole.portumna g.c evening comp. entry fee 5 euro. 1st prize box of pro v's .(still had my prize a year later after i went back toplay again and was reminded about it by the bar man.worst prize was a open 4 ball better seapoint 25 euro entry .50 euro worth of hair ,face+ shampoo creams.

mike12

Half the problem is that opens have changed from a cheap way to play new courses to ways of clubs making money. If clubs are trying to make money they are going to offer smaller prizes.
The reason most of us play golf is to shoot the lowest round possible and have the lowest handicap we can if that leads to a prize then u have gotten lucky on the day.
If you have a handicap where u are competing for or in the prizes each time you play then there is another thread about that.
Mike

Par72

Bumping this thread instead of starting a new one.

Recently played in a four-person scramble open that was run over a weekend (you could play on Saturday or Sunday). The entry fee for four visitors was €240.
We estimated that the club took in several thousand euro in entry fees over the weekend.

My team was lucky enough to win first prize. What prize did we win?
A voucher for a fourball on the same course. One fourball voucher between the four of us.

Am I alone in thinking that that is a disgraceful offering?

GolfNut33

That's pretty sh1tty alright.

big_drive

Par72 wrote: »

Bumping this thread instead of starting a new one.

Recently played in a four-person scramble open that was run over a weekend (you could play on Saturday or Sunday). The entry fee for four visitors was €240.
We estimated that the club took in several thousand euro in entry fees over the weekend.

My team was lucky enough to win first prize. What prize did we win?
A voucher for a fourball on the same course. One fourball voucher between the four of us.

Am I alone in thinking that that is a disgraceful offering?

Sounds a pathetic prize for a large entry fee

plumber77

That's pretty mean in fairness. I suppose it depends on how it was advertised. Was it a charity day or fundraiser. If it's a good course maybe the 4 ball has some monetary value. What would a normal green fee be for that course?

GolfNut33

plumber77 wrote: »

That's pretty mean in fairness. I suppose it depends on how it was advertised. Was it a charity day or fundraiser. If it's a good course maybe the 4 ball has some monetary value. What would a normal green fee be for that course?

Good point. The European gives a 4 ball voucher as a prize. Worth about €1k.

Par72

plumber77 wrote: »

That's pretty mean in fairness. I suppose it depends on how it was advertised. Was it a charity day or fundraiser. If it's a good course maybe the 4 ball has some monetary value. What would a normal green fee be for that course?

They have an offer for a fourball including a beer and a burger for the same price as we paid for our entry fee.

Of course a fourball voucher costs the club absolutely nothing. I wonder what prize they would have given if a team of four members won 1st prize, they'd hardly give them a fourball voucher? Pretty scabby if they have different prizes for members vs. visitors.

Also, to clarify, the event wasn't for charity - seems to have just been a money making exercise for the club.

davegilly

Are there usually prizes for second place in an open? I was second recently in an open comp at New Forest. Never heard from the so presumed there wasn't but thinking about it now I never gave them my phone number so maybe there is a prize for me

dan_ep82

Should be yes.

My win early in the year got me a 4 ball at Luttrellstown.
Win in Seapoint was €60 pro shop credit which is grand as it was double the entry.

gypsy79

My club returns 65% of the competition entry fees

The entry fee and green fee are separated in all advertising

plumber77

Par72 wrote: »

They have an offer for a fourball including a beer and a burger for the same price as we paid for our entry fee.

Of course a fourball voucher costs the club absolutely nothing. I wonder what prize they would have given if a team of four members won 1st prize, they'd hardly give them a fourball voucher? Pretty scabby if they have different prizes for members vs. visitors.



Also, to clarify, the event wasn't for charity - seems to have just been a money making exercise for the club.

Well then I agree; that is a pretty ****ty first prize.