Roll Call: Colorado -- @PJM v Colorado Golfers, @PJM only half guilty

Community Center Roll Calls
1912

Has anyone here played Ballyneal? I was lucky enough to get an invite to play in May as a group with a member and this will be my first time playing a fairly exclusive club. We’re staying on property the night before and hoping to get as much golf in during a weekday: 36, The Commons, and Mulligan Course.

I have a few questions:

  1. Is there an expected/normal gift to give a member for getting us on?
  2. I understand Ballyneal is pretty big on caddies. I’m assuming we’re going to need to use one. What’s the normal tip for a caddie? Anyone we should ask for in particular?
  3. Anything we should definitely do while on property or specific food/drink to try?
2 Likes
1913

Been out there twice, you’re in for such a treat. It’s a pure golf playground.

Member gifts are so personal and subjective, depends a lot on the member and how well you know them. Can range from a handwritten note, drinks or dinner while there, to a nice bottle of whiskey or whatever they might like.

Caddies: I’ve been out there twice, and no one in our group took caddies. They were available to us, but we all chose to push or carry. Probably pretty dependent on what your member prefers to do, I’d just follow their lead. Normal tip for a caddy should be in the $60-100 range on top of normal caddy fees.

Recs for while on property:
Make sure you get on the mulligan course at least once, and more if possible. The big course is a beast, and 36 a day will take a lot out of you, especially if it’s windy. This is where the mulligan course is perfect. I might actually have more fun playing the mulligan course than the main course, which is saying a lot. Some of the craziest greens you’ll ever see. On one trip, we played it twice, first time with a half set and 2nd as a one club (plus putter) challenge. I can’t say enough about the fun of that course.

The 18 hole putting green is a ton of fun too. We went out after dinner around 11PM and had some putting competitions under the moonlight. Crazy slopes in that green, just a ton of fun to go out there and mess around during free time.

Food: The food out there is really good, and perfect for the course and what you’ll need. Don’t think you can go wrong on the menu, but if there is a must have, it’s the f’n milkshakes.

Others here will have more/better tips, but that’s my recommendation based on my 2 trips out there.

Edit to add: don’t really think about this place as an “ultra exclusive club”. Both times I’ve been out there, it’s as laid back as you’d hope. It’s a pure golf playground for people who love golf, it’s not there to be a stuffy country club, so don’t be intimidated by it or feel like you’re walking on eggshells. Follow your host’s lead for things like hats and cell phones indoors, but otherwise, just relax and enjoy it. It’s a golf club in the middle of nowhere eastern Colorado - people go out there to relax and unwind, there’s no pretentiousness that I’ve seen.

4 Likes
1914

Thanks for the insight! I don’t know the member personally so I may have to do some digging with my buddy to see if we can figure out what they may like.

This is good to hear! I haven’t played much private golf, but in the past I’ve felt a little on edge trying to make sure I don’t accidentally make a faux pas. Excited to get out there and be able to and just enjoy it!

1 Like
1915

Fun snow removal tp: my Airmax 90g are pretty great for light snow removal/pushing the snow blower. Good traction on ice, waterproof, mad style. Got to be versatile here in Colorado.

2 Likes
1916

FWIW- Somewhere, a long time ago, a refugee talked about gifts for members on here.

My personal favorite, especially for members taking/sponsoring you may not know well: subscription to The Golfer’s Journal of something unique and cool like that. I’m not sure they have an article about BN, but you can purchase that one for him/her if they do. Easy to find out if the member is a current subscriber.

It is definitely unique as compared to the “traditional” cap tips.

2 Likes
1917

Really great idea

1918

This is going to be a blast

4 Likes
1919

The first issue had an article about a caddy at Ballyneal.

1 Like
1920

expect for match schedules to be released this weekend!

7 Likes
1921

2 Likes
1922

some are saying the Colorado Cup is thee sought after crown of the CO contingent, Euro Super League adjacent? maybe…

4 Likes
1923

Does this detract from the championships of such auspicious leagues such as the Riverdale Men’s League or the City Park League? Some people say yes.

Do you care not for tradition?

2 Likes
1924

Listen… do boring old stroke play/quota games bring in viewership revenue? Do they fire up the people to #getinvolved?

The people want duels, they want match play, they want fire works and controversy. The Colorado Cup gives the people what they want.

2 Likes
1925

Only thing missing is a beer hole fund. Each week/match we pick a hole, par or better pays nothing, bogey $5, double or worse $10. Fund builds for the championship match day and is used to pay the tab at the celebratory party. Just a concept to spice things up.

4 Likes
1926

i love that

1927

Beyond what else has been said, don’t be the guy that is slowing down the group especially since you’re there second hand and don’t know the member directly. Pick up if you have a blow up on a hole. You can’t post any of your scores anyway.
If you like to stargaze, walk down 1 fairway at night. Whatever the weather during the day, it can be pretty cold at night if you do plan on some night time activities.
If you need to practice bunker shots there is a natural bunker down on the left at the bottom of the commons putting green.The whole course is on 70 feet of sand and the sand is different than what you play in Denver.

1 Like
1928

One spot open for a tee time at Wellshire on Sunday. 320pm

1929

Does anyone have a good realtor they recommend?

1 Like
1930

Sending DM

2 Likes
1931

Back off, I DMed him first.

1 Like