This attempt at humour and the responses from staff seem rather conservative white male.

As for the guy who went to St Andrews, maybe the members could tell you were after something. It's not a part of the world where being a suck guarantees you what you want.

And comparing the availability of US Open courses to British Open courses - you've got to be kidding.

Oh gosh, please forgive me for saying England and not Scotland.

And you are absolutely right that it is a privilege just to play the Old Course, and I indeed felt privileged at the time to do so.

My memories of the round are entirely positive, the course was beautiful and memorable, my caddie wonderful, and my playing companions fun. I have no negative memories.

I brought up my story about the R&A members only as an echo of the points made about exclusivity, treatment of the ladies, etc. I didn't really mind at the time, as I would have been nervous playing with an R&A member, so I didn't feel insulted or anything. But given what I have heard recently about the R&A, I have felt in later years that I was probably snubbed. And I have no problem with that...

But you are correct, it is indeed a privilege to play there, and I am grateful to have had a chance.

I would point out, however, that many great private courses in the US can be played by a visitor. Granted, you have to know how to go about it, but generally if you can manage to get your local pro to write a letter for you, you plan in advance, and you are polite and respectful, you can generally get on. Pine Valley is tough but not impossible, as I know some who have played Pine Valley in this way.

Augusta...well that's another story.

When I went to England in 1992 and played the Old Course, I was excited because several people told me that if you were nice and respectful of the course, it was not uncommon to get invited into the club house for lunch by an R&A member, if you were lucky enough to be paired with one. I was a single golfer waiting on the tee for about 2 hours that morning, and about 5 R&A groups teed off, most of them threesomes, as I recall, and none invited me to join them.

I won't say they were golf snobs, but you can draw your own conclusions.

You must also have gone to Scotland to play the Old Course at St. Andrews.

You should remember that it is possible for you to play every course on the (British) Open roster, and almost all venues on the European Tour circuit in the UK (Loch Lomond excepted). Most golfers consider it a privilege just to play the Old Course.

How many US major event venues can you play - Bethpage, Torrey Pines ...., and quite a few PGA Tour event venues are totally private too. How long would you need to stand outside the gates of Augusta National or Pine Valley before being invited in?

I won't say they were golf snobs, but you can draw your own conclusions.

According to a NY Times article: "Until recently, the historic course featured a sign outside the clubhouse behind the 18th green that read, 'No dogs or women allowed.' "

This is an old chestnut, more usually attributed to Royal St. Georges (Sandwich) in the 1920s, but I guess the NYT thought that would puncture the gag.

According to a NY Times article: "Until recently, the historic course featured a sign outside the clubhouse behind the 18th green that read, 'No dogs or women allowed.' "

Are dogs allowed in now, too, or does Laura Davies still have to wait outside?

Okay, yes, I'm clearly kidding. As I said on the podcast a few weeks ago, Laura Davies is close to making the LPGA Hall of Fame, and I'm rooting for her to do so. I thought she might have a good chance at the Old Course given her background, but it appears she's going to miss the cut.

P.S. Later on, I noticed this article, which ties in nicely here to my sarcasm.

According to a NY Times article: "Until recently, the historic course featured a sign outside the clubhouse behind the 18th green that read, 'No dogs or women allowed.' "

Not only were women not allowed in, they get second billing to man's best friend. No word yet on whether the sign goes back up on Sunday night.

Nice work George, but it won't get your handicap back up!

JP