Kilted Golfer DENIED Play at Royal Troon because of the kilt

[Santa Wally]

The PGA Championship was on CBS today Aug 15. One of the commercials was for the FedEx Global Golf Sweepstakes showing 4 kilted golfers leaving a golf cart and running down the highway with their golf clubs. Royal Troon could take a hint !!!

[ronstew]

Friend Jeff,

If it is truly a matter of principle, why did you change into pants instead of requiring a refund on the spot? I suspect the answer is that you were flustered, which would be fair enough.

[CDNSushi]

Friend Jeff,

If it is truly a matter of principle, why did you change into pants instead of requiring a refund on the spot? I suspect the answer is that you were flustered, which would be fair enough.

I'm sure Jeff will answer this for you, but I for one can understand why he chose to play anyway. I would've done the same had I been in his shoes.

For most of us, we don't wear our kilt for the simple, solitary purpose of making a statement -- that just comes with the territory. If I had spent a lot of money to take a trip to Scotland, to play at some of the best golf courses the country had to offer, the only one to lose out would be ME if I chose to take the issue to heart and not play in the end. I think there's a time and a place for every battle, and choosing the battlefield (and timing) is important. I don't think it necessarily has anything to do with being flustered. At least it wouldn't for me.

I would've probably done the same thing... Changed into other attire, enjoyed my day of golf with my friends, to the best of my abilities (trying not to let things p*** me off too much in the meanwhile), and then put on the kevlar helmet and flak jacket to go to war afterward. ith:

[ForresterModern]

Friend Jeff,

If it is truly a matter of principle, why did you change into pants instead of requiring a refund on the spot? I suspect the answer is that you were flustered, which would be fair enough.

Friend Ron

It is much as CDN Sushi says above. I was not flustered, merely crushed between several variables, not the least of which was time. I had exactly 45 minutes from the time Troon's dress code decision was made, and the time we were required to be teeing off, else we would ALL four lose our tee time and our prepaid greens fees (not cheap). We were notified in advance of the dress code (NO SHORTS) and aware that we needed to show up appropriately attired, and I even went so far as to write our tour operator to notify him I planned on playing all rounds kilted (if possible) and got no negative response to that notification. We were also aware of the cancellation policy being for the whole foursome, not just myself, even if only one member was late or inappropriately dressed. As it took 20 minutes drive each way plus time to change in the hotel room I was forced to make a rather heavy weighted decision within a matter of seconds. I had no time to seek out further club officials, as I did the next day at Muirfield (where I had come prepared with pants in the bus just in case).

There was no option of a refund, no chance for a delayed tee time to allow for a protest and request a higher official to rule in, and only enough time to make the drive and switch into pants or else ruin the possibility of the whole round for my whole foursome, including three "appropriately" attired friends who also had their prepaid monies on the line because of my decision. I believe I made the right one----live to fight another day---and played in pants, but with a well circulated complaint in place even before the teeoff.

After some clever reflection, were the situation to arise again I would simply have bought some rain pants in the clubhouse, put them on under the kilt (would look silly but meet the club requirements) for the first hole tee off, then removed the rain pants after the first hole and played kilted despite the rule. I doubt they would have pulled me off the course partway through the round, and if they did threaten to do so, I could have put the rain pants back on again. But due to time constraints my options were limited, and I did not come up with this one soon until after the round was completed.

Anyway, back from the trip late last night. Played 8 rounds in 7 days, 4 rounds in medium to heavy rains and four in either overcast or sunny weather. 7 of the 8 rounds were kilted, and in each of those 7 cases I had folks taking pictures, asking to pose with me, etc... We had fun, I did not play up to my game, but had some moments of brilliance among the general hacking and slicing and topping of small white dimpled balls through the brush. Interestingly, other than overnight a couple times, the only times it rained wherever we were was when we were on the golf course. Cannot count the number of times we would be finishing a round just as the rain stopped and the sun came out to shine on us while we enjoyed a wee nip and some lunch afterwards. Brought home my expected "Edinburgh" vacation tan, otherwise known in Kentucky as "frog belly" white skin.


j

[ronstew]

Have you formally lodged your complaint in writing yet?

[ForresterModern]

Have you formally lodged your complaint in writing yet?

Not yet, since I just got back late last night. I did re-send an expanded version of the original email I sent the secretary last week, this time to a different address listed as the contact number on their web page admin at royaltroon dot com. Went out this afternoon so it probably will not be looked at til tomorrow.

I will write a formal letter one day this week, but with international mails it may be another week before it gets there, and who knows when or if anybody will respond to it.

[fluter]

"In brief, the weather will be normal for the time of year."

Well done, Jeff.

Anyway, back from the trip late last night. Played 8 rounds in 7 days, 4 rounds in medium to heavy rains and four in either overcast or sunny weather... Interestingly, other than overnight a couple times, the only times it rained wherever we were was when we were on the golf course. Cannot count the number of times we would be finishing a round just as the rain stopped and the sun came out to shine on us while we enjoyed a wee nip and some lunch afterwards. Brought home my expected "Edinburgh" vacation tan, otherwise known in Kentucky as "frog belly" white skin.

[ForresterModern]

This morning in my email I received the following response from the club secretary at Royal Troon regarding my previous email complaint:

Dear Dr Foster



Thank you for your e-mail regarding your visit to Royal Troon. I regret that you felt aggrieved by being asked to change from your kilt into trousers to play golf. Royal Troon wants guests to have an enjoyable experience when they visit us and indeed we have a large volume of correspondence thanking us for our hospitality.



In keeping with many organisations in golf, including most amateur and professional organisations who stage major championships around the world, long trousers are the accepted form of dress on the golf course. Royal Troon adopts a similar approach.



We greatly respect, however, the traditional dress of Scotland and welcome full ceremonial kilt attire being worn within the Clubhouse.



I hope that you will reconsider your view and visit Troon in the future.



Regards



David



D L K Brown
Secretary
Royal Troon Golf Club
Troon
Ayrshire
KA10 6EP
Tel No: 01292 311555
Fax No: 01292 318204


To which I responded promptly but after much thought:

Mr Brown (David),


Thank you for your response to my concerns with regards the treatment of the kilt as being considered innappropriate attire for golf at your club. From your response below I am gathering that the kilt may be worn within the clubhouse for ceremonial events, but is still specifically NOT allowed for play on the course under any conditions. If my interpretation of your statements is incorrect, I would welcome clarification of my potentially mistaken impression.



If however that interpretation is correct, that kilts are specifically NOT approved wear for golf on your club course, then I will follow my previous decision to file a formal grievance with the club membership and rules committee for a formal review of that policy, as well as other avenues of action in notifying other potential kilt wearing golfers the world over of that policy so that this incident will not be repeated again. I will also be in contact with the PGA of America and the Royal and Ancient and other governing bodies regarding their dress policies, if any, regarding the wearing of the kilt as attire for golf play in official events, to verify your below claims. I also find it interesting to inform you that of the 8 rounds of golf I played at traditional Scottish golf courses last week, including such prestigious venues such as Turnberry, Muirfield, Carnoustie, St Andrews Old and New Courses, St Andrews Dukes, and Kingsbarns courses, all were played kilted by me save the one at your club because of your restrictions. Many clubs indeed welcomed the wear of the traditional scottish kilt, and thought it more than appropriate, seeing as Scotland is the birthplace of the game of golf and the home of its original set of rules governing play.



The only chance I will ever attend any event at your Royal Troon Golf Club will be wearing a traditional tartan kilt in traditional and wholly appropriate golf attire, with the expectation that I will be allowed to play a round of golf dressed as such, with the specific approval and welcoming open arms of your administration and club membership in such endeavor.. Short of that I will never darken your doorstep with my presence again.



Again, I thank you for your cordial and clear response, although remain disappointed with it. I hope that Royal Troon Golf Club administration and membership will again reconsider its position regarding the propriety of the traditional scottish kilt as wear for a round of golf on you club's course.



Cordially,



Jeffrey L Foster, MD




We shall see what further research into the rules of golf in both professional and amateur societies here and abroad have to say about dress codes, and kilts specifically if at all, and be back with you soon. Next stop is the formal media, once all my research is completed, all "i's" dotted and all "t's" crossed, so to speak.

I must also write thank you notes to each of the courses I played in appreciation of their allowing to play kilted, despite any potential conflicts with their formal rules of attire.

We are not finnished yet.

Jeff

[Jock Scot]

Being mischievous of mind and with absolutely no knowledge of golfing rules. Would plus 4's (traditional golfing attire I believe) worn on a golf course(Royal Troon for example),by a male,but without hose, be regarded as "long trousers" or, a variation of those "long short things" that are seen about these days?One could argue that they are shorter long trousers,I suppose?

Get stuck in Jeff!!!!

[seanachie]

Jeff:
I don't know you're thoughts.....but the secretary had a perfect opportunity in his email to say "hey we screwed up and I am sorry" and he did not. I find that disappointing. I have had situations occur and as aggrieved and PO'd as I might have been someone admiting that they screwed up and apologizing went a long ways. Part of it being that I have made my share of mistakes as well. But hiding behind rules, management policies or very arbitrary decision making just irritates the heck out of me. In this instance the secretary had an opportunity at redemption and blew it in a big way. Also I do hope you follow up on the actions you said you were going to take. That would be sweet to make a nice stack of correspondence and refute him. As to the earlier comments about the caddie just following the rules, and just doing his job I was laughing yesterday after perusing the news. There are a few other folks who have made the same claim, and they are on trial at the Hague right now. (Note: I am not directly comparing the 2 or diminishing the criminal acts they commited, just pointing out that that defense is often ludicrous)