Fuck you, Timbers at Troy Golf Course, you've lost my business

The BBQ Pit
1

About 2 weeks ago, one friday after our weekly meeting, my boss, two of my coworkers and I decided on the spur of the moment to hit the links. We selected Timbers at Troy in Ellicott City Maryland for a couple of reasons: It was close, it had a reputation as a pretty good course (“Voted one of the “Top 100 Golf Courses” in the Mid-Atlantic by Washington Golf Monthly” bosts their website and their radio ads) and most important, they could fit us in with a tee time immediately.

When we got there, the employees in the pro shop were not that friendly. Not really surly or anything, but definitely not friendly. Brian and I paid for 18 holes, Mark and Gary for 9 because they had appointments that evening. They started us on the back nine, and while we had a good time, the course wasn’t all that. It certainly didn’t help that Howard County is building a road right through the middle of it, but we had fun anyway. As we were coming up the 18th fairway, the clouds opend up and it began to pour. We dashed into the clubhouse, and since it didn’t look like it was going to quit anytime soon, Brian and I decided to take them up on their offer of credit for the nine holes we hadn’t gotten to play.

Flash forward to today. I made us a reservation for 2:30, nine holes only because we all had appointments this evening. When I got there, I gave them my credit slip, and they told me I would have to pay them $6 extra.

WTF?

I had paid for 18 holes, only gotten 9 in, and they had offered credit for the 9 I didn’t get to play, so what was the $6 for?

Well, acording to their logic, since the cost of 9 holes is higher than the cost of half of 18 holes (Is that clear? 18 holes costs $40, 9 cost $26), I had to pay the difference. IOW, they treated it like a $20 credit towards the cost of 9 holes, rather than a credit for 9 holes. I was pissed, and the surly guy working didn’t help matters at all. Unfortunately, I had no real choice but to pay. My tee time was up, and the guy was quite adament that that was the policy. To top it off, when I got outside, I found they’d hit Brian up for $11 more! (Out of state resident)

So, fuck you, Timbers at Troy. We decided that we’re never coming back, which is too bad because we have decided to make this a bi-weekly outing, and you’re the closest course to the office. NBD, there are plenty of others just a slight bit further away, but you blew it. No business from us, and no business from the rest of the people in the office once we tell our story. I’ll not be recommending your under construction, cart path only at all times (even when the course is dry as a bone), poorly staffed club to anyone, either, and all because you told me that you would be happy to give me a credit for 9 holes, then decided to screw me for $6. You cost yourself at least 20 round of golf from all four of us before the weather turns too cold. Hope that $6 buys you something nice.

2

Hi Weirddave

Sorry about that - that sucks. I know Howard County golf courses well - spent 25+ years in Columbia, and my Dad currently lives off the Timbers. They can be pricks.

I would suggest (if it’s open - they were shutting down for a while to rebuild the greens) trying out Hobbit’s Glen Golf Course in Columbia.

I will admit to some bias - I tended bar at the Coho Grill (in the clubhouse) for years. Consequently, I got to play free pretty much anytime I wanted.

The course is lovely - if long, but the fairways are nice and wide, and the rough is pretty gentle. Excellent driving range and the pro shop and Coho staff are great people.

Diamond Ridge is okay, but never impressed me all that much. Greystone is far too wet most of the time to be enjoyable.

For a fun, very reasonably priced time, check out Willow Springs. It’s off Rt 29 - you can see it as you’re heading west on 70. It’s an executive course, but it’s one of my all-time favorite courses too. Best hole is the 60 yard par 3 with an elevation drop of 40 feet, to an island green. Hole # 10, I believe.

3

Before you go stomping off in a huff. Remember the employee either had no say in company policy or mis-enterpreted it.

If it is actual company policy to charge more (which I suspect) if people split a 18 hole day into two, then dump em. Make sure the course you join next isn’t the same.

However, your description of your treatment reminds me of the over zealeous management type. Ya know the guy or gal who seeks bonuses offered by the corporate office by maximizing profit. The tend to ride lower employees who, in turn seem less than enthusiastic about their jobs.

4

Well, Timbers is a municipal course. At least, it was funded in some part by the county, and there is some level of oversight at the county level.

If this were a wholly corporate or private club, this would make more sense. However, any course that’s even partly owned by the taxpayers should be a little more solicitous to their needs. And Howard County is by no means a poor county - it’s one of the wealthiest in Maryland - while golf courses are made to turn a profit for the owner, the county doesn’t need to nickel and dime its patrons to death.

I wouldn’t blame you at all for changing clubs. However, i would also definitely outline your concerns in a letter, and cc to the head pro, the oversight committee/board of directors, and to the county executive/county council.

5

Hobbit’s Glen is listed as a private course, how would we get on?

6

Hi Dave

Hobbit’s is NOT a true private course - it is owned, maintained and operated by Columbia Association. IIRC it breaks down like this:

CA members (if you live in Columbia) get one rate for greens fee.
Non-CA members get a higher rate.
You can also get memberships for Hobbits Glen annually - I think it’s around $800/yr, unlimited greens fees, preferred tee times, big cart and range discounts. You can pay monthly and by auto debit. Rates are cheaper for Columbia residents, cheaper yet for CA members.
They also offer memberships to Fairway Hills (the other course in Columbia) or both courses together.

If you want to try the course first, they’ll almost always let you on - you can get more info at the pro shop (speak to Jan or Barbara) or at the CA member service center in Columbia Mall. I believe they also sell tee time packages - like 10 round for $X or something.

Also, if you are a member of another club, your club pro can call down and get you access without any problems.

Note: although I worked at Hobbit’s for years, I left MD 18 months ago and haven’t been back. Some or all of this info might be inaccurate or out of date. If nothing else works, email me (see profile) and I’ll tell you who to talk to at the bar about getting hooked up there with a round.

7

$26 for nine holes.

When I was playing quite a bit of golf, I could go 18 holes on the nearby municipal course for 75 cents (that’s with the under-18-years-old pass). The usual weekday greens fee would have been $2.50.

Guess it’s gotten more expensive.

8

Well, the modern courses are a bit more expensive, since they had to pay to get rid of all those sabre-tooth tigers that were harassing golfers in your day.