Golf is a social game and for me as a Network Evangelist, a great way to connect with other golfers. Today I had a unique opportunity to explore that part of the game as my wife, DianeCA, and I were recruited as hosts at our home club in Mariestad, Sweden.
Since I am a Norwegian, maybe I should explain: Our vacation home is in Mariestad on the shores of Northern Europe’s biggest lake: Vänern. We spend a lot of our free time here, especially in the summer months. That is why we have chosen to be members here instead of in Norway.
Recruited Golf Club Host:
I like the system; every member is recruited to hosts one weekend (4 hours on Saturday or Sunday) about once every 3 years. This makes it a bit cheaper to run the club and gives us an opportunity once in a while to focus on service and get to meet and greet other members and guest players. So for me this enhances the social side of the game and it’s always a good start to the course, to meet new hosts each weekends:
Welcoming golfers and giving them a good start at first tee. This couple was Danish, so it was quite an international experience. We had no problem understanding each other and they often visit Norwegian ski resorts in the winter time :-) .
Golf Host’s obligations and advantages:
First of all, the duty is to give the players a good golf experience. Then you see to that the flights starts at the right time – that they have the required equipment (green fork and rule book etc.) – know the local rules and have paid the green fee. The fee for one round is €30, but free for full members (one year membership is €360).
There are other obligations and advantages too of course. Let me explain with some photos (I had my Nokia N82 at hand of course):
Checking and emptying the garbage at the outdoor containers; well I look at it as an advantage, as I got to drive a golf cart. You see in Scandinavia, only handicapped are allowed to use golf cars. I like that too, as it gives us more exercise, it’s much more social to walk and talk and it gives you a better understanding of distance in the game.
Let’s go one with the duties + +:
Tidy and clean up a bit at the rest table and club café.
Free snack at the club café; that’s what I call real advantage :-)
Recognitions from the friendly receptionist, Elisabeth (sorry, the photographer had a shaky hand when taking this shot :-) ). That’s an advantage too, as you get the best service if you give and extra helping hand. So this is just like Networking in itself: A Givers Gain – the more you give, the more you receive.
That’s why I like this recruiting host system and as you may have noticed; we had a jolly good time!
I don’t think I’d be a very good caddy – I talk too much and am more into the social part than the technique of the game itself. But: if anyone needs a host; we are available, for any games – as long as we get a free snack and I can drive a golf cart :lol: .
Here is a collection of my golf posts from Mariestad. You don’t need to like the game, to enjoy these posts :-) :
Opening of the Golf Season at Spring in the Nordic
Nordic Golf in the Golden Autumn Beauty
The beauty of Golf, a nature experience
RennyBA made Hole in One
What a beautiful course ~ looks like fun, Renny! The free snacks would have been my favorite part. :-)
Sounds like fun!
I almost didn’t recognize you without your beard! You clean up well :)
I really do wish people had the same rules here in north america regarding driving carts or other vehicles, or handicapped spaces. It makes me shake my head and then say no wonder why your health is the way it is, no exercise!
By the way, I’m wondering does your pop (coke) contain sugar? What’s the main ingredient in it? I know it’s horrible corn syrup in the US. I will have to look next time in Canada.
RennyBA
I thought that Coke recipe was standard, but here they use sugar, not syrup. I seldom drink it.
Great socialising and bonding activities I must say, unfortunately I am not into game even when my little pinkie was not fractured.
People sweat alot here due to our weather so I think Sweden would be an ideal golfing venue :D
You & Diane looked great :D
I want a golf cart too! But unfortunately they’re not approved for our roads. :-(
I kept looking at you, thinking you looked different, and finally figured it out: you shaved your beard and mustache! It makes you look younger, I think. ;-)
Glad you had a good time on the golf course, even without actually playing golf.
Happy new week!
Love and hugs,
Diane
RennyBA
I wonder which of my regular readers would comment on my baby face – first :lol: I do it once every summer, so soon I look old again ;-)
What a good idea, but you are such a big kid, Renny…”as long as I can drive the golf cart”… :lol: Anyway, I’m glad you had such a good time as well as providing a very friendly service to visiting members.
RennyBA
If you can’t be childish, you lose a lot in life you know :lol:
I must admit that my only relation to Golf is owning one… ;-)
Hey this sounds like so much fun! I also thought that Diane had found a new husband! Look at you with your fresh face! Very cute! I am not sure I would recognize Hubby without his mustache!
Seems very interesting. I laughed out loud at the ending part of being so much social by talking rather than playing, Renny :)
And I always wonder about people when they are w/ moustache and bread :)
I meant I wonder how the look change not why for sure ;)
Looks like a great course! :) Such fun times, and I agree, you receive more when you give.
OMG! It’s my first time to see you without your beard and you look absolutely dashing! You and Diane are so sweet together in that photo!
I always wanted to try golfing but never had a chance.
Enjoy your vacation! I will try to keep in touch from now on…
(I am still in finnmark and having a good time)
Hugs to you and Diane
Something was different but didn’t know why…’til I read the comments and realized: you shaved!! what a different way to “face” the world :)
That’s great organizational talent, what a fun golf club to belong to. We don’t golf, but we are leaving tomorrow to go canoeing two days in France. It should be lovely and relaxing !
I must admit that my only relation to Golf is now looking at one at my parking spot.
tht’s a nice golf course Renny…enjoy your vacation!!!Sounds very interesting!
I have never been golfing, mostly because of stereotypes: it’s expensive, it’s a guys’ game, a businessmen game etc.
I like the way you guy run the golf course, it seems affordable and a fun social experience.
This is a great idea! I could suggest this to my golf club.
It is expensive to play golf in Europe. :P
Renny,
You seem to have lost some weight. You look leaner in these pictures.
I saw a new renny on this post!!!You shaved!
We don’t golf but sure must be a very nice sport!
I know for sure that you and Diane are the hosts with the most wherever you are!
Wait. I just figured out what was so different about you! Man! That is so weird…to know something looked different but not figuring it out till I went to your previous post! You really DO clean up well, Renny. But the jury is out as to which I like better…. :D
It looks like you both had big fun! As a non golfer, I would have stayed with the snack :)
I know, it’s longtime since I have visited your blog – sorry for that! Traveling is very time consuming for me, but beautiful!
Thanks for your visits to my blog, very much appreciated.
Susanne
Sue’s Daily Photography
I asked for an application at one of the Golf clubs near me. I’m a very social and polite person and I think I would do great there, plus I love to play golf. Any suggestions or tips on things you think I should do to make myself stand out from the others?
I think the best thing is to be yourself and act natural.
Oh, what a nice place! I has been there twice with my family, great place to visit on weekend! By the way – great photos as well!