Home | Next Event | Results | Contacts

Events
Home
Tee Times
Next Event
Results

 

Info
Schedule
FAQ
Contacts
Links
Library

 

FEBRUARY, 2003

Survey says...

In January of 2003, a survey was conducted amongst the 58 members of the First Hill Golf Club.  Most of the members participated in the online survey, and 5 printed surveys were sent to members who don't have email addresses.

At the conclusion of the survey, 46 responses were received for a 79% response rate.  A pretty impressive feat, which the authors interpret to mean that the members really love this golf club or have way too much time on their hands.

We agree on something

Several questions generated widespread agreement amongst the club members.  98% of the members are in relative agreement that the club's tournament RSVP fines are not unduly penal.   76% said the fines were "Just right," but a significant number (22%) said the fines were "Too low."

When asked if members would like to play a premium golf course (Washington National or Trophy Lake were the most suggested courses to add to the schedule) a whopping 96% of you wanted to play.  The sweet spot for green fees was $75 (59%), and 30% would pay more than $75 to play a premium course.

If a member takes a leave of absence, 93% said that they should have priority for readmittance to the club, and 58% voted for a 1 year period.  35% indicated they would prefer a longer priority period, and several members said it depended on the reason for the leave.

As for the 2002 schedule, 89% of you said the schedule was fine.  3 members wanted to eliminate Auburn from the schedule and 1 member voted against Maplewood.

Getting interesting

67% of you like the tournament formats that we played in 2002.  Of the 33% who wanted to eliminate various formats, their answers included scrambles, the Chapman, A vs. B, and the 6-hole variation.  In their place, members suggested medal play, shambles, California scramble and the venerable 4 club formats.

In the event of another hole in one, 63% of the members want to pay out the Hole in One Pot at the end of the season.  56% said they should share in the KP Pot for the same shot.

76% of our members were in agreement with playing forward, middle or back tees depending on the tournament format and individual/team handicaps.  This makes sense if you remember that tee boxes are designed to be played based on ability, not gender.

Augusta ain't got nothing on us 61% of the club members said "yes" to the question of women joining the club.  An interesting perspective was included by one of our members in the comments: "On the issue of letting woman join depends on what kind of organization FHG wants to be. If this is a business organization, then we should be inclusive of woman. The ability to network with other business people should be available to both men and woman. By opening the club to woman, FHG will be recognizing there are business people who are woman and should be afforded the same networking opportunities. If FHG is a 'sports' club, like a men's soccer league or softball group, then maintaining the exclusion of woman seems less of an issue if there are similar golf organizations available to woman. If there are no comparable organizations, I'd like to see FHG assist in encouraging and promoting such a woman's group." This comment provides some food for thought, if you remember that one of the main reasons the founders organized the club was in recognition of the discrimination encountered by Japanese American golfers.  And the winner is... The most debated question surprisingly turned out to be the question on whether a member should be assessed a 2 stroke penalty if they had outstanding dues or fines.  This went down to the wire, with the last two responses swinging the majority opinion to "Yes" 24 (52%) to 22.  Finally, those witty comments Comments ranged from "gone skiing" to "pretty ones."  (you can probably guess which question the latter comment applied to...)  "Great job you guys!" makes Matt's heart melt.  "Too many members want to play golf, but expect only a few people to do all of the work."  Tough guys said "members should not golf until all dues are paid."  And an interesting proposal was put forth to "consider offering advertising, as well as personal notes on the club website for the sole purpose of generating revenue." See the survey data If you're into the numbers and the actual responses from fellow members, click on the button below.