No. 13: Underwhelming Member-Guest Debut

Dear Pards,

Does any Monday morning hit different than the drive into the Energy Corridor after your first member guest? Woof.

After playing golf for the better part of seventeen years I finally made the social leap. Got my first invite to the big leagues, a member guest at one of the nicer clubs out in the Woodlands. As a suspect 8 index still knocking off winter rust (I can still say that in April, right?) I was thrilled the format was net, the coolers were pre-paid, and the breakfast each morning was PROPER. Not what you find at your local muni.

I'm afraid to say the moment was too big for me. Crumbled on a few knee knockers Saturday and we landed outside the money. As much as I like to give the CC crowd a hard time at the office, they might be on to something. Hell of an event.

Most importantly, and this may be time sensitive. What do I need to do, that I can control, to get invited back? Or do I dare forward my info to a few clubs and start asking about membership?

-Headache in Houston

Dear Headache,

I found it fitting to hear from you just days after the PGA Tour hosted a member-guest of their own at the Zurich this past weekend. Though it sounds like your Monday morning commute looked a little different from Alex Fitzpatrick’s. I’d assume most of his spirits were consumed after the event, not during.

The other major difference between you two, aside from your mitts, is that his team won the event. Which makes the invite back next year a no-brainer. In fact, he’s now a member of the “club” and can invite a guest of his own.

Have you ever been to one of those churches where everyone seems to be speaking some weird language, similar to how you may have sounded slurring words Saturday night after slugging seven ranch waters and shooting 44 on the back nine?

I don’t know the relationship you have with your host, or how far up you were on his initial list of invitees. But I think it’s safe to say he views your invite next year the same way I view tongues in the Charismatic Church: open but cautious.

The best thing you can do now is drink water. Then sit down and write him a thank-you note. Maybe even on one of my postcards. After that, I’d advise you to spend some time reflecting on whether or not you think you deserve an invite next year.

Or just join the club yourself.

P╞r╠℮

P.S. This week’s Postage Stamp is Tara Iti, a place I’d love a member-guest invite to, by Dave Baysden. If you’d like a digital copy for your TV, you can grab it here.