A Brief Comment on the USGA Ticket Situation

by Ryan Ballengee on Jun 19, 2009 11:16 AM EDT

Coming home from the Open yesterday and in reading the NYC papers this morning, they were all in a tussle about the USGA's decision to enforce its "No Refunds" policy for US Open ticketholders that got 3 hours of golf and 7 hours of rain for their troubles on Thursday.

They complained that this just wasn't right. The suggestions of how they could make it right varied wildly - and all of them made no sense.

They suggested a refund. The Open is the only USGA championship that actually makes money. It funds almost everything that they do.

They suggested that Thursday ticketholders could come on Friday. Are you kidding? The buses, parking lots, and - most of all - this soggy golf course could not handle that.

ESPN Radio suggested that ticketholders get a free round at Bethpage Black since it's a public course. Yeah, New York state is going to agree to all of that extra traffic on top of the crazies that camp out in the parking lot to play the Black. Maybe a chance to play one of the other Olympic colored courses, but not the Black.

Fortunately, the USGA will have a reprieve from the rain. They have offered Monday passes to people with Thursday tickets. And there's going to be golf on Monday. With the weather expected to be as bad tomorrow as it was yesterday, there will be Monday golf. Maybe Tuesday or Wednesday golf.

Still, the whole incident really seems to exhibit how tough it is for a major championship to accomodate the weather. The USGA really had no recourse. If the event finishes on Sunday, Thursday-only ticketholders are out of luck.

The thing that many in the media seem to be missing is that a great number of the people who are coming here have multiple day tickets. The number of people affected by this is pretty minimal. But, it's good that the USGA got a response out there quickly.

UPDATE 2:25p: The USGA has announced that if there is no play beyond Sunday, then Thursday ticket holders will get a half refund for their ticket for that day. The new general policy is that if there is less than 90 minutes of golf on any day in the championship, then ticket holders for those days will be welcomed back to subsequent (read: after Sunday) play.

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Comments

Leave it to a bunch of whiny, self-important New Yorkers to jump the gun on stories like this. Is it any wonder so many people despise the mainstream media and New Yorkers ? Geez. They couldn’t wait to publish a report that would make someone look bad. It would be nice to believe that there would be a backlash against the idiots in the New York press and anyone else in the media or general public who was willing to jump to a conclusion.

Here’s what’s REALLY funny – The USGA did NOT change their mind. A Thursday ticket is still not good for any other regular tournament day. The tournament is sold out – there is no room – there is no parking – etc etc etc. If the tournament somehow manages to finish on Sunday – those Thursday tickets will STILL have only been good for Thursday. Suck on that you whiny New Yorkers.

"this ball will fit in that fairway"

by courtgolf on Jun 19, 2009 2:38 PM EDT reply actions

VERY nice of the USGA to offer 1/2 the price back on the Thursday tickets. Uncommonly nice – above board. Maybe the New Yawkers will learn something and pass it on in…what am I saying ? Of COURSE not – they think they are OWED the money.

That’s at least 45,000 tickets at what…$50-$200 a pop ? That’s a lot of cash. I didn’t hear anything about the people at Spankee Stadium demanding money back when they only got half a game in.

"this ball will fit in that fairway"

by courtgolf on Jun 19, 2009 4:26 PM EDT reply actions