Bristow Manor Golf Club

Went to play this course today which I have played many times over the past 15 Years. I recently joined the VSGA and offered up my discount app. Bald guy behind the counter got flustered, seemed put out..having to figure out how to use the new technology. He had to get his manager to come out and walk him through ringing up my transaction. BART the manager seemed disconnected, sour look on his face.....just as put out as his employee was. All this is what I have come to expect from the staff over the here at this course. HOWEVER...... I put up with it. Well,I and my friend teed of and it started raining ......after two holes the temp dropped and the rain came down in sheets. We waited it out but it wasn’t stopping so wet, cold and done...we rode into the clubhouse. We got to the front desk and stated that the conditions were horrible and we would like a rain check. The bald guy behind the counter was once again clueless in what to do. But then...... and this is so typical, his personal cell rang and he answered.. I stood there listening to to him talk with someone, a personal call...he went on and on. He finally got off the phone and wanted to know how many holes we had played. I asked why does it matter? A rain check is a rain check. He told me to calm down, which was funny because I wasn’t upset....yet. He issued my friend a rain check, PRO RATED..... my friend questioned it...still this bald guy seemed clueless and could care less. I said I thought that this was crazy, that they would pro rate - basically giving us partial credit....yes credit to be used at another time. How ridiculous this is....but it gets better....he still didn’t know how he was going to pro rate my VSGA FEE!!!!! I’m at this point frustrated and pissed. To stand there and watch this guy prattle on in a personal call and then not be able to figure out how to rain check me caused me to say. “Well, this will be the last time I come here to play” for which he said “good that’s fine”. I asked for the manager Bart, who btw, when we started asking about the rain check closed his door to his office right off the pro shop. I figured he knew how this was going to go, since he had a clueless idiot at the desk. I told the bald guy to get me his manager, he said something to me about “don’t be upset, but this is the way it is” foolishness. Now I have the so called “General Manager”. He then proceeds to tell me that pro rating is perfectly normal to which I say, absolutely if someone walks in after 12 holes it is.... to which he basically tells me he could care less if I’m a customer, who might never want to spend his golfing dollar at Bristow Manor again. WHICH I WONT.
This course is less than avg, a mundane trac that on its best day isn’t a gem of a golf experience. But it’s 15 minutes from where I live, so I get it. Not anymore. I find it very interesting that these clowns are willing to blow a customer out the door over a couple of dollars and could care less if they ever come back, The ownership (which I notice isn’t stated on their website ) needs to know how these guys are running their business. I will tell everyone I know about my experience at this course.

Where to start:

First - My foursome and I played this course on 11-11-15 (Veterans Day). We had a Groupon which was to play the course for $100.00 ($25 each). Upon arrival after driving 1.5 hours, we were told in a not so pleasant manner that the groupon couldn't be used on a holiday until after 1100. When we told the unpleasant fellow working the desk that we had previously phoned and were told that Veterans Day was not being considered a holiday he informed us that we were told incorrectly. We then asked if they would honor our Tee Time Golf Pass book and were told absolutely. The cost using the book was $26.00 per man. When you look in the book it says that this price isn't valid until after 1100 on holidays. Needless to say, we just paid the $26.00 and played. I guess they were hard up for $4.00.

Secondly - I must say that the staff, counter person and starter were two of the most unpleasant people I have ever met at a golf course.

Third - The Marshall came by our foursome several times and finally he stopped and said, "I have never seen a foursome where all four players have iron covers" to which my cart partner replied, "I spent a lot for my irons and just try to protect them", and the Marshall made the very inappropriate comment of "I thought you guys were gay or something". We couldn't believe he made this inappropriate comment to 4 guys he didn't know and are all veterans. Our wife's couldn't believe it when we told them at dinner that night.

Fourth - Course was in good shape considering we had quite a bit of rain the day before. The scenery is nice as well.

Based on this experience, we will be hard pressed to ever go back to this course in the future.