Golf Ranger

[Ron]

I work part time as a Ranger on our beautiful town course which is managed and run by Kemper Sports.  At a general meeting for staff, I learned a few things that I did not previously know with all the golf that I have played in my life.  1.  The Superintendent is the BOSS at a golf course.  What he says, goes.  Nobody carries the weight that the Super has.  2.  Rangers are very important to the operation of a well run golf course, but NOT for the reason most golfers think.  We have been told that our number one priority is NOT to speed up play, rather to PROTECT the course and enforce local rules.  The objective is to provide a pristine course to ALL golfers who have paid their Greens Fees, promote safety,  and not to allow uninformed golfers (Hackers) to tear the course apart!  Of course we have to constantly promote faster play.  That goes without saying.  But the truth of the matter is, aside from helping to spot an errant shot, giving a walker who plays poorly a ride in your cart,  and informing groups that they are seriously out of position;  you really can't force a slow player or group to play faster.  Our job in that area is to assist and help.  We are told to never argue with customers.  If they become belligerent, ask them to do their best, thank them, and move on.  The customer, (Golfer) must always be treated politely!!  3.  HOWEVER.....Anyone observed trashing, wrecking, ruining, violating the course after being advised by a Ranger that this type of action is not permitted, is to be immediately reported to the Superintendent's office by radio, and the appropriate "Enforcement Squad" is "Airlifted" to the scene.  (LOL)  4.  During slightly inclement weather,  if corporate wants to let golfers play, ($$$) the Superintendent at our course will say, "Only if I have extra Rangers to enforce Cart path and Rough Only."  So I guess the bottom line is:  "The SUPER is THE MAN."   I guess it is the image and attitude that you project.  We very rarely get abuse from patrons.  As a matter of fact they usually say,  "thank you, I didn't know that."  We are issued very nice Golf Shirts with the Kemper and the course name and Logo, identification badges, two way radios, and we do a good job.  Most of the Rangers are over 60, lifetime golfers, polite, and know the rules.  All this being said, I have played on many, many courses in my time where the Rangers are an absolute JOKE!!

[Mattplusness]

Any time I have been in contact with a ranger it is always a bad thing. The last time they approached me I was in a 4-some behind another 4 some. A 3-some was behind us and complained of slow play even when we were always waiting for the group in front of us. What gives?!

[Ron]

You tend to find that everyone claims that everyone else is slow.  When there is a legitimate problem is when there are one or two open holes ahead of a group. That is a serious "out of position" situation.  A crowded course is going to be a crowded course and all that goes along with it.  I play all my golf for free 7 days a week after 12:00.  I NEVER play on Sat or Sun.  One of the few "Perks" with being retired.

[LBlack14]

Kemper Sports almost allowed our practice facility to be run into the ground. They let it go and it was a dump until new ownership took over and hired myself and some other new staff. I am an asst. Super. I still wonder about my boss, he and the GM are big time slackers.