Pronghorn — what the hell? Is this normal?

[wingedfeetxc]

Drove three plus hours to play the Nicklaus course at Pronghorn earlier this week. It’s a course that has been on my bucket list for a long time, so I was pretty excited.

 

When I booked online, there was a note that said fairway aeration “will be underway”. That’s fine — I don’t mind playing off plugged and sanded fairways.

 

Except — these weren’t plugged and sanded. On four holes, the aeration holes were unfilled and the plugs were completely covering the fairways. You were playing into and off of a field of bumpy dirt. Those four holes were unplayable, and we had no idea until we stepped into the tee box on 10.

 

Pictures don't actually do it justice. Here's a short video I took of #13: 

 

 

Not only didn’t they not tell us that four holes were unplayable — they charged full price. I’ve never seen anything like this before, but especially at a course of this caliber; Pronghorn is a top 100 USA public course that charges over $100.

 

Am I crazy but don’t courses typically close a nine if they’re doing work like that? Is charging full price when maintenance work renders multiple holes unplayable (and not giving customers a heads up about the extent of the work) a common and accepted thing now?

 

Post script: I emailed the pro shop and the director of golf after the round to express my disappointment and neither has bothered to reply, two full days later. 

[Seamus_MacDuff]

I completely agree with you, that’s inexcusable. I’m really surprised they’d even let play go out with that kind of work taking place. 

[Fellow Competitor]

My former home course did this twice a year, every year. Plugs always got picked up on day two. Further, they'd do it so late in the season that the holes didn't have a chance to fill in and sometimes plugs would be frozen to the fairway. But the price point wasn't exactly $100, either.

[mallrat]

First off, they should have let you know and I’m sorry that stinks. 
 

They do things different there and what is acceptable, actually isn’t. But they do this every year. They only close 1 day on each course for greens. Fairways take almost a week per course and they don’t top dress fairways after aerifying. 
 

When I worked there we did some things that I texted my old boss and he said he would expect to be fired for that.  An example would be aerifying tees and before picking them up just shoveling off a small strip between tee markers. 
 

I know there are a LOT of changes goi g on there now. But that still does not exclude that. I could share some other stuff but not sure I should. As some here know me and my history. 
 

As for hearing from the golf shop, HA. Upper management and the golf shop there are some of the rudest people in this industry I have ever dealt with.  
 

Quick story, I was working with one of the instructors and it was during the member guest. Well there it’s a 3 day thing. On day one they play 9 then come in for a really nice lunch then head back out. Well on their way in, the GM, stops by with his partner (the GM was playing as a member). He walks up and tells the instructor that his buddy needs a quick fix and tells me to go away and come back later. He has no clue who I am, not meaning I am anyone but that I could be and he doesn’t care. I looked at the instructor and rolled my eyes and wandered off. Just an example of his dooshness
 

 

[wingedfeetxc]

Thanks for that context @mallrat. It's nice to hear that no, that sort of thing isn't normal.

 

It's always disappointing to to come across places that are run like Pronghorn seems to be. Hopefully this thread will help shine a light on their behavior for other folks. 

 

 

 

[puttnforthe8]

Yeah...The management team there is beyond atrocious!   Don't expect anything...you might be best just disputing your CC charge.

[HackDaddy360]

No, not normal.   
 

Nor will you get a refund.   
 

You are playing way off peak season - it’s already heavily discounted.  This sounds like a giant D thing to say - and I guess it is but this is less about opinion than fact - they don’t care.   
 

If you’re driving 3 hours in the off season to play a “dream track” you’re not their clientele.   Their clientele spends 5k for a weekend trip and maybe 2 rounds of golf max PER PERSON.    
 

That might be you, but it doesn’t sound like you.  
 

Go play it in the middle of summer/peak season and drop the real coin and you’ll leave saying “that’s literally one of the finest golf courses I’ve ever set foot on from a conditions standpoint”.   

[byoshio82]

Man I have always had great experiences at Pronghorn. Course is always in tip top shape. However this time of year and spring time I always ask about punched greens due to being burned too many times in the PACNW. However never had this issue at Pronghorn as the course is usually pristine. Especially the private side. 

[Pepperturbo]

That's pathetic... I'd raise hell.  There is a prevailing vision regarding what a punched course looks like.  That pathetic mess is extreme and should be publically stated on their site, even with picture, so customers can determine if they want to spend the money.  SO WRONG!