Kilted Golfer DENIED Play at Royal Troon because of the kilt

[Jordan]

I’ve never played Golf in my life; I don’t even think I've picked up a Stick before. But how someone phones up to organise a trip to Royal Troon giving the club full warning that a Rabble will appear kilted to play and see if they say it’s out with the rules? I wouldn’t think so and I think even if they try it will be a bit of a stretch for them to say no. Might give Jeff some good grounds for discrimination, the big chief probably just got told there was some American guy outside in a kilt.

Jordan

[Wife]

E.T. (Jeff) Phone home! The operator tells me that the number you call home from is not a good number.

[Lallans]

E.T. (Jeff) Phone home! The operator tells me that the number you call home from is not a good number.

Aha, methinks a new use hath been found for Xmarks....

[ForresterModern]

To wife: sorry dear but I misplaced my Blackberry for the last couple days in the hotel shuffle, then did not get a chance to call last night as we did not get back to the room until late. Not sure why the UK pay as you go phone is not recieving calls but it calls out fine (obviously as I just got off the phone with you).

To anybody who was concerned for Wife's sake, thank you. I got in dutch because I had promised to call every day and just didn't last night---you guys don't get excuses.

To anybody following the story:
Now three days since the event At Royal Troon have passed and still no reply from the club about an explanation or apology. Have played four kilted rounds in addition to the one I was forced to play in pants at Troon (one before at Turnberry, and three since at Muirfield, Carnoustie, and the New Course at St Andrews today) without comments other than positive or the usual joking. Have been stopped for directions twice, had my photo taken with about 30 different people, and taken by another 30-40 as well.

Two more rounds (possibly three if we sneak in a double round tomorrow) then home Sunday. If no response from the club by the time I get home, I will try other avenues of communication through their website to give them the benefit of the doubt, maybe even direct surface mail, then if still no response this goes to the editors of the major newspapers in the US and UK, particularly Scotland.. Already had one friend mention that a friend of his who works for ESPN may be interested in the story. This could go international next week sometime.


Will keep you posted. Thanks for all your support.


jeff

p.s. for anybody interested I am playing well below my ability, tolerating the rain each day since Sunday during our golf, enjoying great company, and getting fat on some nice meals.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Jeff, I think you might want to show a bit more patience in waiting for a reply from the Royal Troon. In August many people (like yourself) are on holiday, and it may be that the Club Secretary-- the only person authorized to correspond with anyone on behalf of the Club-- is away until the end of the month. I can understand that there is a cultural difference between the social expectations of people from the United States and those who live in the United Kingdom, but generally speaking one would usually expect a letter to a club (as opposed to some sort of government body or commercial enterprise) to be answered with thirty days, not two or three days, and certainly answered by the post, not email. Enjoy the rest of your stay in Scotland and keep your head down on the swing.

[wildrover]

To be honest, I wouldn't bother holding my breath if I were you.

They're a business with a snooty reputation, and you're one guy from out of town...so, they're probably saying "who cares?" and moving along. The likelihood of anyone doing anything similar to what you did, even in Scotland, is low enough to be a non-issue.

Sorry to put it so bluntly, but that's the beauty of multiple levels of management, detached decision-making, and representative authority...it provides ways to ignore people, and at worst, to disavow any responsibility for a poor decision.

If you're serious about rubbing their nose it in, do so. Otherwise, let it go. They probably have, except for the caddymaster, who is probably still laughing at some guy from America who had the audacity to wear a kilt in Scotland.

Wait a year and go back.

-Sean

[MacBean]

Sounds like a poor business decision. This thread already has nearly 3,000 views. You'd have to PAY for advertising like that!

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Sounds like a poor business decision. This thread already has nearly 3,000 views. You'd have to PAY for advertising like that!

True enough, but private clubs aren't businesses in the usual sense of the word. Membership is usually by presentation, not application. Many clubs require that new members be proposed by at least two members in good standing, and that the proposal be seconded by two or more members. The proposal is then reviewed by the membership committee who interview the proposer(s), and then put it to the members as to whether or not the proposed new member should be accepted into the club. Yes, it is very much an old boy's network, closed shop sort of a thing, but really not that different than trying to become a member of the Longshoreman's Union in New York when you get right down to it.

In reality, I think WildRover has nailed it as far as the attitude of the Royal Troon goes.

[Slag101]

True enough, but private clubs aren't businesses in the usual sense of the word. Membership is usually by presentation, not application. Many clubs require that new members be proposed by at least two members in good standing, and that the proposal be seconded by two or more members. The proposal is then reviewed by the membership committee who interview the proposer(s), and then put it to the members as to whether or not the proposed new member should be accepted into the club. Yes, it is very much an old boy's network, closed shop sort of a thing, but really not that different than trying to become a member of the Longshoreman's Union in New York when you get right down to it.

In reality, I think WildRover has nailed it as far as the attitude of the Royal Troon goes.

Makes me want to break out the plaid pants, and the golf bag with AM/FM radio. It is now my goal to go there dressed like Mr. Dangerfield in Caddy shack, get out to the middle of the green and shout, "HEY, EVERYBODY'S GONNA GET L**D!"
I would go to that course just to make a scene, even though I feel golf is beneath my social status, unless it involves shooting the ball through a giant dinosaur, or the moving blades of a windmill.

[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.