We've launched the new forums! Read more here

2013 THP Invitational Series - Where Would You Like It?

Buckjob said:
Vegas would be cool but like JB said i dunno if id pay to fly out there for a day. its why i ended up not going to GA for the first one as well as some other things that came up.

I still like Philadelphia the City of Brotherly Love! Or AC again. i know if i can keep the Cooler at a different Casino trying to master a fool proof gambling plan everyone else could win big and pay for their trips!
Click to expand...


Buck... I live 3 hours from Vegas ( 45min by plane) and *I* would not go to Vegas for a day either. I think it everything lined up at it were in Vegas, I am sure people would make a weekend out of it and the Invitational be part of that weekend. Maybe that was not clear when I was , as Chunky says, making a strong charge for a West Coast swing.
 
If there was any reason for me to go to the west coast for golf it would have to be vegas. Its the cheapest to fly in and out of and easiest way to make the trip worth more than one day.

But I dont think I personally would ever make that happen for me any time soon.
 
White Rhino said:
Buck... I live 3 hours from Vegas ( 45min by plane) and *I* would not go to Vegas for a day either. I think it everything lined up at it were in Vegas, I am sure people would make a weekend out of it and the Invitational be part of that weekend. Maybe that was not clear when I was , as Chunky says, making a strong charge for a West Coast swing.
Click to expand...

I dunno if I could swing Vegas this year but it's in my bucket list and if THP were there down the road it sure would make it more appealing. Although that's a tall order for JB and GG.

I still vote for Philly. City of cheesesteaks.
 
adwillingham said:
I really think that if the cost for golf is north of the $80-$100 mark, it's going to be hard to get folks to wherever an event is held (ie Greenbrier, French Lick, etc).
Click to expand...

While that's true, THP has been able to negotiate some outstanding deals...like with Bear's Best for example.

Sure, the Greenbrier or other fancy-schmancy resort may not be willing to come down off their prices enough, but you don't know until you ask.
 
Buckjob said:
I dunno if I could swing Vegas this year but it's in my bucket list and if THP were there down the road it sure would make it more appealing. Although that's a tall order for JB and GG.

I still vote for Philly. City of cheesesteaks.
Click to expand...

Geno's or Pat's ?
 
White Rhino said:
Geno's or Pat's ?
Click to expand...


haha used to be Pats but now it will be Geno's Forever. i know some THPers would love to make the choice for themselves. that be funny have everyone go to the invitational and have 40-50 THPers show up at Geno's after.
 
Jersey Nate said:
Jim's is better than either. And it would be awesome to have an Invitational in the Philly area.
Click to expand...

Buckjob said:
haha used to be Pats but now it will be Geno's Forever. i know some THPers would love to make the choice for themselves. that be funny have everyone go to the invitational and have 40-50 THPers show up at Geno's after.
Click to expand...


I would love to try all 3.. I love me some cheesesteaks!!
 
Lets keep this one about the Invitationals please.
 
Unfortunately, I find JBs responses to White Rhino regarding a west coast trip to make perfect sense.

I doubt that you'd get 32 Albatross members to a west coast event. I tried to set up an event in the Bay Area and got ONE person and I was offering a huge discount to the regular green fees at a great course as well as prizes and other goodies. It's quite frustrating. Vegas would be possible and you'd get a lot of CA and maybe a couple of PNW guys but if the minimum number is 32, that's going to be hard to a one day event even though there's a lot of other things to do in Vegas that could make it a weekend trip for most people.

Maybe some day... I'll keep my fingers crossed.
 
Somewhere within driving distance of Jacksonville, Fl. Atlanta, Ga., South Carolina, North to Central Florida. But its not really the drive for me as much as I need to know about 3 months in advance. My work schedule is set pretty far in advance and once it is out there is slim to none of a chance to change it. Unfortunately these first two invitationals were scheduled after my work schedule already came out or I would have definitely tried to come.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2
 
JB said:
GG summed it up best. We do hear the calls each time for an event out west from both AC members (needed for this event) and non-AC members. We watch closely at their local events and hope for awesome turnout. We also have to look at our demographics and figure out where we have a large central location that many AC members can get to for these.

When we planned last year's route, we took central locations to large groups of Albatross Club members and because of that had great turnout at almost every event. The idea of heading out west is definitely one we would consider, but there would have to be a large contingent ready to do commit for us to make the rather expensive journey.
Click to expand...

JB - I for one really appreciate this feedback. I can better understand the hesitancy based on metrics you are seeing. Might I suggest a hybrid / baby step approach then for the west coasters? How about finding some way to more officially support the get togethers members put together themselves. My general sense is "THP events" on the west coast aren't really events but instead are instances of internet buddies finding rounds together (a recent Chambers Bay event might be the exception, but even then I think it morphed into something more than it was originally advertised as...the end result was great but it didn't have the up front drawing power of normal stuff). Point being, it may not be an apples to apples comparision to evaluate participation of west coast stuff to the fully sponsored/organized stuff. It is a hard problem to solve. You guys are doing a great job. Thanks for your efforts.
 
tequila4kapp said:
JB - I for one really appreciate this feedback. I can better understand the hesitancy based on metrics you are seeing. Might I suggest a hybrid / baby step approach then for the west coasters? How about finding some way to more officially support the get togethers members put together themselves. My general sense is "THP events" on the west coast aren't really events but instead are instances of internet buddies finding rounds together (a recent Chambers Bay event might be the exception, but even then I think it morphed into something more than it was originally advertised as...the end result was great but it didn't have the up front drawing power of normal stuff). Point being, it may not be an apples to apples comparision to evaluate participation of west coast stuff to the fully sponsored/organized stuff. It is a hard problem to solve. You guys are doing a great job. Thanks for your efforts.
Click to expand...

Unfortunately we are not able to "support" an event that we are not attending. There are certain aspects of our Invitationals and Events that must remain in house. We will however offer regular support such as encouragement.

I will say again, that we are very open to having an Invitational on the west coast, but we would need commitment and a certain level of AC members to make that happen. While we will never tell someone that they must join the AC to be a part of THP, those that want events and certain other aspects that are not part of the website or community must understand that the AC is the only ways those happen.
 
JB said:
I will say again, that we are very open to having an Invitational on the west coast, but we would need commitment and a certain level of AC members to make that happen. While we will never tell someone that they must join the AC to be a part of THP, those that want events and certain other aspects that are not part of the website or community must understand that the AC is the only ways those happen.
Click to expand...

This is perfectly reasonable. I'd be curious to know how many AC members would be ready and willing to commit to a west coast event.
 
JB said:
A minimum of double that. 32 people fill out the minimum tee sheet for an Invitational. I will level with you because we believe it needs to be said. How many of those SoCal members that came out were Albatross Club members and could participate in this event? I know fully you believe that if we appeared in Vegas, we would fill it up, but its a scary proposition to spend thousands of dollars and weeks of time on hope.

Your event you planned looked like people had a blast. But here is an honest question, do you think people from the PNW would come to Socal for a one day invitational? Do you think all 16 of those people that came would go to Vegas for a one day Invitational? The areas are great, have great golf and some wonderful THPers. The fear is that when looking at everything as a whole, there just does not appear to be anywhere near enough Albatross Club members in a central location to make the journey.

Now that could change in 2013 and we have a completely open mind about an event out west. However our fears remain the same.
Click to expand...

Honest answer - if an event occurred out here you'd get more people to sign up for the AC. I anticipate feedback about how people need to sign up anyway due to the other benefits, etc. I understand that perspective. I don't want to argue the point here publicly, so I'll just share my point of view that more people would sign up.

More honest feedback - I tend to agree with your point about volume of members, particularly as it relates to the PNW. Maybe we don't have enough people in this region. On the other hand, it seems almost impossible that an event in Orange County would not draw enough people - that is central to San Diego, Los Angeles (proper), Orange County, etc., all major population centers. Another factor on the west coast is we're so spread out that it makes it less likely someone from the next major metropolitan area would make the drive (Portland to LA = 17 hr drive, for example). But SD might well draw some Bay Area people too (6-7 hr drive).

Again, I appreciate the dialogue on this topic.
 
Thainer21 said:
I have heard some awesome things about that Contraband Course!
Click to expand...

It is awesome.....and if you play between now and March 5th it's $50 for green fee/Cart/Range Balls.....very very cool course
 
tequila4kapp said:
Honest answer - if an event occurred out here you'd get more people to sign up for the AC. I anticipate feedback about how people need to sign up anyway due to the other benefits, etc. I understand that perspective. I don't want to argue the point here publicly, so I'll just share my point of view that more people would sign up.
Click to expand...

The truth is that may be the case, but frankly that is not how we base our business decisions because betting on the "come" does not usually go over well. While we believe that an event would go incredibly well out there and would love the opportunity to host one, without the support, it just cannot happen. That is the gawds honest transparent answer. And for further transparency, I can immediately tell you that as soon as we did say "we are coming to CA" or "we are coming to PNW", we would immediately hear, "you are coming all the way out here, why not come to this area too, because that one is too far for me".

Its not a knock on the area, because it happens everywhere. We understand and completely respect it because people would like it closer for them. But the absolute truth is a simple answer. We will not schedule something ever, where we do not have the support from the members. With the thousands of dollars it costs to schedule even an Invitational out west, there is no way we would do it in "hope" that people might sign up.
 
JB said:
The truth is that may be the case, but frankly that is not how we base our business decisions because betting on the "come" does not usually go over well. While we believe that an event would go incredibly well out there and would love the opportunity to host one, without the support, it just cannot happen. That is the gawds honest transparent answer. And for further transparency, I can immediately tell you that as soon as we did say "we are coming to CA" or "we are coming to PNW", we would immediately hear, "you are coming all the way out here, why not come to this area too, because that one is too far for me".

Its not a knock on the area, because it happens everywhere. We understand and completely respect it because people would like it closer for them. But the absolute truth is a simple answer. We will not schedule something ever, where we do not have the support from the members. With the thousands of dollars it costs to schedule even an Invitational out west, there is no way we would do it in "hope" that people might sign up.
Click to expand...

Last thought then I'll leave this sub-thread alone - remember the old saying that every problem is an opportunity in disguise.

Back to the main topic...if no west coast then I revert to my prior comment about hitting new locations in the regions THP is able to personally serve.

Good luck!
 
TripleBogieTim said:
How about Lake Charles, LA?

L’Auberge Casino Resort in Lake Charles has a fairly new Tom Fazio designed golf course right on casino property and it's wonderful

http://www.llakecharles.com/amenities/golf-course/
Click to expand...

Thats a very nice course. Only problem is that the airport isnt a big hub and prices could be expensive.

Im down for a local gathering if any Texas members want to make a drive.

Sent from my Samsung S2 using Tapatalk 2
 
bmwnola said:
Thats a very nice course. Only problem is that the airport isnt a big hub and prices could be expensive.

Im down for a local gathering if any Texas members want to make a drive.

Sent from my Samsung S2 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...

I think the assumption would be that most would drive in from the surrounding states.
 
I know it won't happen just due to distance but Seattle would be sweet, or Oregon.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top