Tuesday, August 23, 2011



I had an interesting experience, working as a temp at the recent Golf Open championships at the Royal St George’s Golf Club, Sandwich. I had a few days spare after finishing my teaching projects and other commitments before going away for a well-earned holiday from my doctoral studies at Canterbury Christ Church University. I was prepared to accept the assignment of selling a few programmes for the minimum wage for a few hours a day, on the basis that it would probably be fun; my expenses would be nil (I could cycle the 2 miles there and back with ease); it would be extra pocket money and it would widen my experience at a local ‘prestigious’ event. I know nothing about golf and I’m always keen to get to know something about everything.



Little did I know the realities of what was behind the organisation that was behind this event - the R&A. Indeed, had I know about the systematic gender discrimination, the bureaucratic pedantic rules and the general condescending attitudes of the pompous hierarchies surrounding the Royal St Georges, I never would have agreed to work for them. By the end of the week, even the weather had changed for the worse, I felt totally taken-advantage-of and really quite angry that no-one seemed to be standing-up against this institutionalised antiquated, corrupted organisation. Thank God for the brilliant team I worked with - without the jokes and banter I wouldn't have bothered going back after the first shift!

Let me give you an example of the issues, why are there no women in the R & A? Perhaps you would like to read this article which explains about the history of the problem here

I find it incredible that despite fighting for equality in all kinds of different communities, that our English law condones this systematic discrimination. How can it be allowed to continue?



As to the practicalities of the event, there were so many problems, it’s difficult to know where to start. e.g. Why were fields given over to car parks when there were more than adequate proper car parks in the town of Sandwich and at the (now virtually empty) Pfizers site? Without proper shuttle buses from the train station (other than for disabled guests) there was travel chaos as people arrived from all over the world at the small town of Sandwich assuming that the golf course was actually in the town (when actually it was a 30 minutes walk –no bus - no fun in the pouring rain).

Why were mobile phones and cameras not allowed on the course? I was told (as I was frog-marched to the ‘secure’ stand to surrender my Nokia) that it was to do with ring tones potentially interrupting golf players whilst under concentration. Understandably, lots of guests got very angry at this and one was even arrested apparently. It was interesting to note that towards the end of the week, this rule seemed to be loosened and on more than one occasion I saw cash exchanged at the security gates for those ‘businessmen’ who persuaded the security guards they needed to keep their phones with them. Later, discussing this issue with a member of staff, it turns out that the actual reason for phones/cameras not being allowed on the course is to do with ‘illegal’ photographs being taken of the golfers. Strict rules apply to their agents apparently, who allow only specific photos to be taken (and therefore benefit from increased revenue from their manipulation of the market).

It was also interesting that the local roads were taken-over by re-directions for the visiting traffic - with no thought for the locals. Instead of taking the ancient highway route on my bike (primarily a bridlepath) this was restricted to cars only (one way) to the event (although later this rule wasn't upheld). I thanked God I wasn't living in one of the roads affected by the diversions - especially around Golf Road at the North end of Deal.

The poor weather did nothing for the badly managed footpaths and access areas. There was little gravel or chippings down on the mud around the exits which turned them into quagmires similar to those seen at Glastonbury. The state of the toilets was particularly disgusting….

Interestingly, the R&A deemed it necessary to ensure that most of the tickets (i.e. those NOT on a corporate jolly) were marked ‘no re-entry’. This has lots of consequences – most notably those for the surrounding local shops. As reported in the local East Kent Mercury and in the National Press – shops in Sandwich had stocked-up in anticipation of an increase in footfall. Instead, they saw a ghost-town, where people came in and out through the train station or along the ancient highway to the ‘fields’ of car parks, without any need to stop at the town.
However – for those who needed to get out of this enclosure – this practice encouraged corruption – I regularly saw (corporate and therefore ‘re-entry allowed’) tickets changing hands for cash at exits at lunchtime.

With limited food shops and a merchandise shop which physically ran out of stock more than 48 hours before the end of the championship, what point was there in artificially trying to keep members of the public inside the course? Those in-the-know came prepared with picnics and thermos flasks. Those NOT in-the-know sadly had to make-do with expensive stale sandwiches outputs from one of a number of burger-vans.

Like many of these events there were radios sold (£9 a pop) which informed the public about what was going on when. Our team thought it strange that the sellers of these radios finished at 2pm each day. We laughed out loud when they sold-out completely before the last day and then buggered-off early. Especially when we later discovered the last batch sold were all faulty! There was no-one to direct them to so that they could vent their anger at being conned. How unprofessional. R&A you should be ashamed.

Overall, it was a very disappointing experience. But I took the money, like everyone does and left feeling glad it was all over. Would I do it again? You must be joking! But at least I know now WHO the R&A is – and what it stands for. Something else to fight against. So much for Mr Cameron’s ‘Big Society’ dream….

3 comments:

Fran Hillman said...

I didn't realise you had this blog too (link from phd one doesn't work by the way).

I'm not surprised the whole thing was such a fiasco -they should be ashamed of themselves.

I love what you've done with your beach bits! I've drilled some holes in the wood and discovered that rubbing a bit of vaseline into the sea glass makes it less smoky white. More inspiration is around the corner, I'm sure. Fran x

Ursula said...

Thanks Fran - link now sorted. I've sent the R&A a letter about it I was so angry - although I'm sure they won't even bother to respond - especially when they see it was written by a WOMAN!!
Have you tried polishing the glass with your dremmel? Vaseline is a good idea though! :)

Fran Hillman said...

I hadn't but I have now. I'm not that impressed unless I didn't do it properly. I had more success with polishing scratches out of my stainless steel sink though!x