Sewer Golf

I wanted to fall in love with golf this weekend at the Legends Reno-Tahoe Open. I had always heard that golf was a gentleman's game, a genteel throwback to the days of courtesy and respect amidst competition. This rose-colored vision of spectators and players alike interacting with civility toward one another in a magnificent setting has been thoroughly dashed over the last several months, culminating at the tournament but building from my visits to the local course where I began formal lessons with a PGA Professional in late spring.

I volunteered to be a marshal on hole #9 at the RTO as I believed it would give me some on-course insight to the game. Situated along the landing zone, I saw some incredible second shots from 10 yards away. The ease at which most of the touring professionals swing a golf club is rewarding to experience. The sound of the clubface striking the golf ball, when it is done to perfection, is satisfying to hear and feel, even in spectator's shoes.

What I did not expect was the nearly constant onslaught of profanity coming from my fellow volunteers, drunken spectators and the players themselves. Regardless of the substantial presence of children in the galleries (though this should have no bearing on such behaviour) foul language was heard loudly and often at tee boxes, along the fairways, on the greens and throughout the public areas of the course. Much of the talk amongst the 50-60-something volunteer force involved alcohol or sexual references about each other or any attractive female within eyeshot. Drunken spectators, ranging in age from 21 through at least 70, staggered about the grounds, shouting profanities or uttering crude comments. Though I did not personally hear foul language from the players, a few standard bearers informed me that it was rampant. A few threw their clubs after poor shots, which, in a professional tour setting, is completely unacceptable. Where have the gentlemen of this game gone?

Earlier this year, I enrolled my 9-year-old son in the First Tee program at the same course where my lessons are located. The draw for me was the Nine Core Values of golf, including sportsmanship and courtesy among others. The program itself is wonderful and I highly recommend it to parents of kids with golf aspirations. I ensured that both my son and I were outfitted appropriately to be in accordance with course rules about collared shirts and the like. Wholly unexpected was, again, the absolute preponderance of vulgar language on and around the course. Mind you, this is a private and relatively upscale club with members ranging in age from 45-70 and employed as executives in a variety of professions.

With cigar smoke pouring from their cart and empty beer cans rattling on the floorboards, a twosome just finishing 18 rolled up to the clubhouse shouting and making profane gestures, screaming at their drunken buddies already at the bar. My son and I were walking toward the First Tee meeting at the driving range along with other parents with their 6-15-year-old junior golfers in tow as this bacchanalistic scene played out before us. I wish I could say this was an isolated incident. Though myself and other parents reported the incident to the owner of the club, such behaviour has not changed and we have witnessed similar embarrassments during nearly every visit.

My son no longer wants to endure the barrage of foul, drunken old men reeling around the clubhouse, and the parents that I have discussed this with are equally dismayed. I am saddened that the noble sport of golf has devolved to the point of being no more refined than a Raiders game.