No refunds or rain checks for U.S. Open ticketholders
Update from Alan Bastable: David Fay, the USGA's executive director, just announced that should play extend to Monday, those fans who who paid for Thursday tickets will be invited back on Monday.
Here's some mud in the face for fans who paid $100 for tickets to today's rain-soaked opening round at Bethpage Black only to have play suspended after three hours: No rain check, no refund, no exception.
According to the USGA's Rand Jerris, Thursday's abbreviated round -- in which the lead group made it to only the 11th hole -- counts as a day of golf and the USGA will not issue refunds or rain checks. While the tournament could finish on Monday due to forecasts for continued rain, Jerris said the USGA has not made a decsion regarding possible tickets for Monday. However, Thursday tickets will not be honored and fans can throw them away, Jerris said.
Jerris could not answer questions about how the no-refund decision was made or if there is a set number of holes or time on the course
that constitutes a "day" of golf. He referred those question to USGA
higher-ups who were not immediately available for comment. The
extensive fine print on the back of the ticket does not cover the USGA's rain-delay policies, and no clear explanation of rain-check policy is contained in the
USGA's online spectator guide.
Posted by: Mike G | Jun 22, 2009 5:32:01 PM
NY fans are pure babies! The only reason they got what they wanted, is because they cried about it. They are truely one of the few demographic in the entire US that have their attornys on "speed dial". How DARE you wrong me! They all walk around and BEG to be a "victim". Go sue somebody!!
Posted by: Chuck Furman | Jun 20, 2009 2:16:49 PM
Let's be honest here!! The U.S.G.A would not have done ANYTHING if not for the anger of the people. They made a BIG mistake and they heard about it. It is the people,their fans,who stood up and said"BIG MISTAKE" If only the entire country would STAND UP on what is wrong in this country and DEMAND better we would not be in the mess we are in.
It is a shame that the U.S.G.A. took the origional stand that they did and for me the remedy is TOO LITTLE,TOO LATE. Golf is perhaps,the last vestage of sport as it is supposed to be. Honesty,a "gentleman's game",respect and honor. There are a lot of people with a particular skill that make a lot of money because of the fans who support them. There are kids as well as adults who look to them as an example. There are a lot of men and women who would be flipping burgers or selling insurance if not for those who support the game.
I for one,will NEVER forget the stunt they tried and I will think long and hard before I renew my membership. Yes,I am a paying member of the U.S.G.A. I would suggest they think about how they treat their fans before they kill the "goose that laid the golden egg".
Posted by: John | Jun 19, 2009 8:27:14 PM
The USGA backtracks better than they crawl!! Wow, they got the bad press!! Thank God!! Remember, what we say does matter!!
Posted by: John | Jun 19, 2009 7:00:35 PM
The Masters gave a rain check for the following year when they had a rain out! The only reason the USGA gave in was OUTRAGE!! Folks, we do make a difference!!
Posted by: Randy from NC | Jun 19, 2009 6:15:20 PM
Like so many other things in life these days, the USGA only backtracked when public outrage was so overwhelmingly negative that it would stain their precious reputation. They only decided to do "the right thing" when they were called out. Reminds me of the remorseful politician caught cheating on his wife; was he sorry about the cheating or sorry about getting caught? Wouldn't it be nice if someone did the right thing before they had the stain of getting caught NOT doing the right thing.
Posted by: RJ | Jun 19, 2009 4:39:09 PM
Similar thing happened 12 years or so ago at the US Seniors Open at Congressional. Unfortunately for my father and I we did not get a free pass to another days golf. To top it off the parking lot became a mud pit from all the rain and many people had to leave their cars overnight until the lot dried out late the next day.
Posted by: Denise | Jun 19, 2009 4:25:20 PM
Wrong. Shameful. Disgraceful. Period. I live in upstate NY and will think twice before getting any USGA tickets in the future.
Posted by: Eduardo Francisco | Jun 19, 2009 3:58:19 PM
I wanted to watch the final round, does that mean I can use my Sunday tickets on Monday too?
This sucks...next time I watch a Golf Tournament, it will be on TV.
Posted by: Don Swenson | Jun 19, 2009 2:48:11 PM
Apparently the USGA hasn't heard about the world wide recession, nor the NY Yankees ill advised attempts to extort money from their fans. They must be relying on the stiff upper lip stoicism of the Brits who have gotten screwed for years at Wimbledon. Even they have responded by building a roofed stadium.
Posted by: Dave | Jun 19, 2009 2:21:03 PM
It's really interesting to me that the biggest complainers here can't seem to put together a sentence or even spell words right. Everyone's entitled to their opinion, but it's funny that the people who complain the most seem to be the dumbest.
Posted by: Tom | Jun 19, 2009 1:59:28 PM
I guess Matt and others who don't understand what going to a sporting event means to many have had no real life and only have the need to put down others go back to your garage sales and leave the rest of us alone
Posted by: LChez06 | Jun 19, 2009 1:51:22 PM
Simply put I just tossed my USGA renewal in the garbage and it was sitting on my desk to do today. I know people who went up for the weekend from Florida to watch the event and to allow them to come on Monday is not good enough, sorry. They have a JOB thank God and need to get back. USGA (I love Golf, and you are suppose to hold up the integrity of the sport). Shameful
Posted by: John Levario | Jun 19, 2009 12:20:21 PM
I am a member of the USGA and I will never again to support the USGA in any way. Not through merchandise or membership! I do not have tickets for the open but I believe you just robbed the Thursday Ticketholders. To allow Thursday's ticket holders to enter the tournament would have been the proper jester. I was appalled to hear the USGA's stubborn adherence to their ridiculous ticket policy. I believe you will loose support in a time when you can least afford it.
Posted by: Greg Pinelli | Jun 19, 2009 12:17:06 PM
I just read Alan Shipnuck's lame bit of "analysis" on NOT letting the fans who missed the overwhelming majority of play Thurs back in later...he claims 50,000 more fans would flood the corse (sorry for the pun)...NONSENSE..Most tickets are sold for blocks of Open play...I can't tell how many of those 50,000 would be admitted in addition to the crowd expected today..but I'd be willing to wager that it wouldn't amount to tens of thousands more when no shows in inclement weather are added in..
This is NOT a matter of refunds...another straw man..people want to see an Open...I just watched house man Mike Tirico cow tow to David Fay on television..terrible analogies and simply stupid logic!
This has been a week of horrible USGA decisions..2 Opens back to back in 2014?? Leadership doesn't mean cost cutting..it means doing the right thing..they've insulted fans hugely..and if the LPGA players aren't insulted they sure as hell ought to be....
Posted by: ex-usga member | Jun 19, 2009 11:18:30 AM
to jonathon.
first there are no rules about weather on the back of the ticket.
second. how can you read the back of a ticket before you purchase it?
third. these tickets have to be bought months in advance. knowing the weather a week ahead of time does a ticket holder no good.
fourth. you complain about others whining....atleaste those people know what they are whining about...
Posted by: Keith Reynolds | Jun 19, 2009 11:01:11 AM
The only thing worse than the weather at Thursday's US Open event was the lack of respect for the spectators who spent their hard earned money in this down economy to attend it...
Posted by: Granpa Mike | Jun 19, 2009 10:57:54 AM
What has made me more angry than anything, My 11 year old grandson checked the weather the night before, he called me and said it would rain heavy all day, and it was crazy for me to drive 100 miles to take him, inthe morning he call ed as he watched the golf start,I drove thru the worst rain conditions to his home, after many hours in traffic I arrived just as the play was suspended. We waited till 2PM,he could not understand why they started the round, I had to explain to him that the game is all about money, and nothing else. What the Open did was dispicable.Sadly they don't give a dam.
Posted by: Diane | Jun 19, 2009 10:57:01 AM
Great call by the USGA - they really had nowhere to go after Thursday - tickets were sold out for every other day, what else could they do? They made a great decision to allow Thursday ticket holders to come back on Monday.
I don't understand you people - what do you want, 60,000 people on the golf course? That's insane.
Posted by: Jonathan | Jun 19, 2009 10:26:26 AM
Always have to make exceptions for whiny little New Yorkers who can't read the rules on their ticket. It's calling for rain today and tomorrow too... that's going to make for one crowded Monday. No one TOOK anyones money... read the rules and buyer beware. It's not like the rain snuck up out of no where, they've been announcing it for a week now. All this complaining is pathetic.
Posted by: Jonathan Olsen | Jun 19, 2009 10:19:05 AM
I had a Thursday ticket and didn't go because of the obvious weather problems. The USGA, however, only had golfers tee off so they wouldn't have to give refunds. Furthermore, the didn't call the day until 2 pm so they could further juice the suckers who were on the course with food and merchandise. Any idiot looking at weather.com could have known no golf could have been played. This is the American way...take advantage of the customer. I thought golf was a gentlemen's game?
Posted by: Matt | Jun 19, 2009 10:15:16 AM
"I have no patience for idiots who pay $100 to watch a bunch of millionaires play golf. If this was truly "hard-earned money" they would have spent it on something they really need."
Agreed. It requires little intelligence to smack a tiny ball into a field of tall grass, then chase after it. It takes a moron to pay $100 to watch someone else do it. It takes a truly arrogant, ignorant, selfish nob to complain when that $100 is not returned due to an act of nature.
Posted by: tod | Jun 19, 2009 10:08:16 AM
USGA: Thursday fans can get Monday ticketsFROM NEWSDAY.com
9:48 AM EDT, June 19, 2009
It looks like people who had tickets to Thursday's U.S. Open first round will get a chance to see some more golf after all.
Reversing Thursday's "no refunds, no exchanges" decision, the USGA announced Friday morning that fans with tickets to Thursday's session at Bethpage Black will be given a chance to acquire tickets for a possible Monday session -- if there is one.
With the U.S. Open's first round already behind by several hours thanks to a rain-forced postponement Thursday, the USGA was scrambling to complete the first round and play as much of the second round as possible on Friday. However, with more rain in the forecast for Saturday, it seems likely that the final round will be pushed back to Monday.
More details to follow shortly . . .
Posted by: Joe Black | Jun 19, 2009 10:04:16 AM
Too bad for those fans who blew their money and didn't get to see much golf. Perhaps spend money on airfare and watch the open at Torrey Pines next time. You will be gauranteed sunshine. And No I don't think a refund is right either. You take a chance on the weather when you go to an out door event. Many say, "rain or shine". Others you just accept the consequences.
Posted by: GT | Jun 19, 2009 10:02:38 AM
Tell Michael to quit whinin and get a REAL job!! Stuff happens! IT seems that no matter what SOMEONE will complain about it so get over it!
Posted by: F McI | Jun 19, 2009 9:59:22 AM
I think they should have at least got half their ticket money back. My nephew came all the way from Canada for the last day of practice (Wednesday) and Thursday the 1st day of the Open and I don't think he will come back again a waste of $400.
Posted by: artcorrea | Jun 19, 2009 9:55:44 AM
A bastion of golf integrity(the USGA) has soiled the name of golf by instituting the policy of no raincheck, no refund. Any golf organization that does not comment about the policy is also part of the problem. Four of us spent $150/ticket a night in a hotel to get 3 hours of golf in weather that should have cancelled the event for the day before it began. Thanks for being a guardian of the game. Time for the PGA to take over the US Open.
Posted by: Ron | Jun 19, 2009 9:55:33 AM
This was so easy to solve a 6 yr old could figure it out. You color code the tickets. What's being played this morning is Thursday golf. You let them in again this morning to see it. You tell them they have to be gone by noon unless they have a Friday ticket. You have guards run anyone who tries to stay longer. Friday people you tell not to come until noon, via public announcements, web sites, etc. Do you get stragglers who don't leave, sure. Friday people who come early, sure. So what. Like it never rained before and they couldn't plan all this out? It rained last time they were here.
Posted by: Realist | Jun 19, 2009 9:55:02 AM
I have no patience for idiots who pay $100 to watch a bunch of millionaires play golf. If this was truly "hard-earned money" they would have spent it on something they really need.
Posted by: Dan | Jun 19, 2009 9:51:29 AM
I just call the USGA to speak with the group that deal with corporate sponserships to tell them I will be contact the sponsers and was told they will be honoring Thursdays tickets on Monday and its in the process of being announced shortly. No Lie
Posted by: Scott | Jun 19, 2009 9:50:59 AM
From Sobel's blog on espn.com: "The USGA just minutes ago announced that anyone with a Thursday ticket will be allowed entry to the tournament on Monday."
Posted by: John McCann | Jun 19, 2009 9:50:06 AM
The USGA policy is no different than many other sporting events. The U.S. Open (tennis) has the exact same policy. Is it necessarily fair, no, but when you buy the ticket, that's the risk you run.
Posted by: Scott | Jun 19, 2009 9:46:50 AM
I bought 2 tickets as a Christmas present for my brother who took his son to the tournament. They has a miserable time out there. He told me "I came home and took a shower to get dry" That's how bad it was. I felt horrible. The USGA should do the right thing and let the fans into a Monday game of play if there is one or at least a partial refund. I will never make the mistake of buying tickets for a USGA tournament again, no matter how much I love golf.
Posted by: Mike Moyle | Jun 19, 2009 9:46:41 AM
I quit the USGA years ago, because they always seem to be on the wrong side of every issue. Looks liek they still haven't gotten it. Golf is a game with hard-core rules, but you just can't treat people that way. They should refund a portion of the ticket price.
Posted by: Mickey | Jun 19, 2009 9:44:07 AM
I believe this is one of the reasons why the Memorial Tournament does not sell daily passes.
Posted by: Pat Lugo | Jun 19, 2009 9:39:34 AM
I don't pay attention to golf....but this sounds similar to the Jones Beach Theater policy of rain or shine...the bands just won't play if it is raining hard enough...and then you're stuck....I have not bought a ticket for that theater in 3 years
Posted by: Craig | Jun 19, 2009 9:39:16 AM
Alan Shipnuck's a USGA suck-up. No one's suggesting that refunds be given just because there are rain delays on any particular day. But if you sell a ticket for an event and the event essentially doesn't happen, you take care of your customers. Period. We're not talking about rain when you go to a theme park, which may make it less than enjoyable to ride the rides, but the rides are still operating.
And the cost of refunds for yesterday's tickets certainly wouldn't bankrupt the USGA. How much were they going to spend a few years ago to buy the Russian Tea Room space in Manhattan?
Posted by: PK | Jun 19, 2009 9:38:35 AM
This is ridiculous. Give a partial refund, credit towards a souvenir, something. Talk about pompous a$$es.
Posted by: RLAii | Jun 19, 2009 9:38:21 AM
Quit your whinning. Same with Nascar at $125 a pop.
Posted by: Nathan Tuttle | Jun 19, 2009 9:38:20 AM
This rain policy sucks! I am not asking for my money back, all I would like is the chance to see any round which might be nessacary beyond Sunday. Seems reasonable considering no one yet has tickets to a Monday or Teusday round based on USGA's rain out policy
Posted by: kevin | Jun 19, 2009 9:38:14 AM
i always get amused when i read something like alan shipnuck's piece on why the USGA should not issue refunds of some kind. just by reading the column, you can tell that shipnuck hasn't paid for anything golf-related in years. if he'd shelled out 100 of his own hard-earned dollars to attend the us open, he might not have written that ill-informed and poorly thought out column.
of course, this is also the same guy who's always bragging about the free swag and rounds of golf he gets as part of his job, so who knows.
Posted by: Fud | Jun 19, 2009 9:31:23 AM
And once again another great reason to give up golf. Reminds of why I quit playing.
Posted by: Bob Perkins | Jun 19, 2009 9:29:23 AM
Just another reason to take the Open away from the USGA and give it to the PGA. They continue to prove that if it can be screwed up, they will screw it up.
Posted by: Audie | Jun 19, 2009 9:29:20 AM
The USGA should just shut up about this being the "People's Tournament". They have made it blatently obvious what they think about the "people" by taking our hard earned dollars and then laughing at us all the way to their blueblood country club banks.
Posted by: John | Jun 19, 2009 9:26:45 AM
It's outrageous that the USGA won't offer a refund or allow ticketholders use of the Thursday ticket for another day. They are causing tremendous damage to their sport. Whatever happened to "preserving the integrity of the game" as they like to say? Go visit their huge multi-million dollar estate in Far Hills, NJ and see how filthy rich the USGA lives. They all get free memberships to exclusive private clubs too - Somerset Hills, Hamilton Farm, Trump, etc. I will not renew my membership and encourage all to do the same.
Posted by: Fred | Jun 19, 2009 9:25:36 AM
The entire tournament should have been postponed 1 day. I made the bus ride and got to the course a little after 10 am. By the time we got to the first tee, the whistle blew and play was over. It is an awful situation but there should have been a plan in place that was more considerate than the USGA telling us all to screw. I am a 20 year member of the USGA and they will NEVER see another cent from me.
Posted by: Rich | Jun 19, 2009 9:24:40 AM
So not cool.
Posted by: Chris | Jun 19, 2009 9:21:16 AM
USGA made a big mistake. Can't belive their commercials saying they are for the people...hahhaa what hypocrites
Posted by: Harold Gershkowitz | Jun 19, 2009 9:20:55 AM
it seems ridiculous that your organization would take our money and then tell us that's it, go home.
Posted by: Alex | Jun 19, 2009 9:20:52 AM
Johan is an idiot!
Posted by: Jimmy | Jun 19, 2009 9:17:48 AM
Just real glad I sold my Open week tickets on Stubhub! Stay dry folks.
Posted by: Johan | Jun 19, 2009 9:15:48 AM
The USGA did the right thing. They are a fantastic organization that obviously cares for the fans.
Posted by: Scott G | Jun 19, 2009 9:14:29 AM
I believe Mr. Bamberger hit the nail on the head. Maybe they need a lesson in where their money comes from. I already placed my renewal in the recyle bin.
Posted by: lindy conner | Jun 19, 2009 9:14:13 AM
tickets should be sold per round.If you had tickets to round 1 you should see ALL of round 1 .The peoplewould then leave and those with tickets to round to see round 2
Posted by: Mike GIllie | Jun 19, 2009 9:13:56 AM
You'll Be Sorry....
Posted by: josh | Jun 19, 2009 9:11:46 AM
I say the best idea to get the point made to the USGA is to boycott all of the sponsors. They will in turn hear a bigger backlash from the sponsors who have shelled out a large sum of money for this event.
Posted by: Alex | Jun 19, 2009 9:11:23 AM
Complaining to the USGA get you nowhere. They have taken their stance and are awaiting to see what the fall out consists of. Want to get back at them? Go after thier sponsers! They are the only ones that can make any difference here!
Posted by: To Law | Jun 19, 2009 9:10:22 AM
Law there is no rainout policy for the USGA. Also, you can't compare a sporting event to an amusement park. If a baseball game gets rained out, or a tennis tournament gets almost nothing played, the fans get rain checks. Do the right thing USGA (though now it is probably too late)
Posted by: Philip_GA | Jun 19, 2009 9:07:14 AM
Sometimes, you simply must do the right thing despite what your policy states. You want loyalty? Do the right thing.
Posted by: Santo | Jun 19, 2009 9:07:10 AM
I don't like golf and now I truly hate it. It's a bunch of horseshit. Let the USGA know that New Yorkers don't forget, we might forgive you, but we'll never forget.
Posted by: al p | Jun 19, 2009 9:05:16 AM
While the usga likes to think of this as the tournament of the people, they really treated the ticketholders like it was the tournament of snobs. What an arrogant group. It is a shame that they didn't give the patrons something for their committment in horrible weather yesterday. Even a bone like keeping the ticket and if the tournament goes til Monday, they can use it for reentry would have been much better customer service.
Posted by: James | Jun 19, 2009 9:03:58 AM
Why are Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and the USGA alike?
Think about it.
Posted by: Mike R | Jun 19, 2009 9:03:45 AM
The rainout Thursday is not an unprecedented event for the USGA. I attended the 1983 US Open at Oakmont, at age 12, when the final round was rained out. Play had to be completed on Monday. I specifically remember finding a clubhouse pass floating down a stream of water in the parking lot. I scooped it up, dried it out overnight, and was able to use it on Monday. King for a day. I'll never forget it. On Monday, my father dragged me back to the 16th hole and said, "We're going to 16 because the player that birdies 16 is going to win." Larry Nelson made birdie on the 220 yard par 3 and won, and I shook hands with him inside the clubhouse afterwards. Sadly, there will be no 12 year olds at Bethpage on Monday as lucky as I was on a Monday in 1983.
Posted by: TR | Jun 19, 2009 9:03:38 AM
Simply put, it's a bad call. Bad PR for the sport, and reflects badly upon the USGA. I am like others a member of long standing. It pains me to see, in these economic times, such a blatant disregard for those who spent some of their hard-earned money to come have some enjoyment, and perhaps to get away from the hardships they may have in real life, and then get steamrolled by a "sorry, Charlie" too-bad attitude. That's one of the reasons people (i.e.fans) love The Masters-attendees are treated with respect. I will have to rethink my membership next year...it's clear they don't really need my measley $25, and I'll be out of work by then anyway!
Posted by: Dennis | Jun 19, 2009 9:02:21 AM
I will NEVER again support the USGA or any of its events. I am not even going to watch the Open on TV.
Posted by: Mishagothe | Jun 19, 2009 9:01:09 AM
One bunch of rich idiots screwing over another bunch of rich idiots. Who cares?
Posted by: Stu | Jun 19, 2009 8:56:19 AM
I got there yesterday just in time for the suspension and I made a big mistake using my own money to buy the USGA Member Package (4 days plus practice rounds) with my own money. Everyone I know either got "comped" or is buying tickets on StubHub at a deep discount. The internet is awash with tickets selling for as low as 40% of face value. I guess the USGA's justification for not allowing Thursday ticket holders onto the course is they don't sell single day tickets? Can anyone confirm that? Only way to get single day tickets is to buy them from someone else?
Posted by: Jeff R | Jun 19, 2009 8:56:01 AM
Let the THUR ducat be good for any USGA championship event over the summer. At least that would be a show of good faith evewn though technically the USGA doesn't "owe" the tickerholder anyting due to rain.
Posted by: philip goodman | Jun 19, 2009 8:55:46 AM
where on the ticket did it explain the no refund policy ?
Posted by: Alan Ault | Jun 19, 2009 8:55:04 AM
This is an example of USGA etiquette. The greedy bastard, strike that, person who failed to make this right should be flogged, strike that, sent back to the ball machine.
Posted by: Dave | Jun 19, 2009 8:47:48 AM
There's a good chance the tournament will go past Sunday. Let Thursday's ticket holders come Monday if it goes extra days.
Posted by: Seriously | Jun 19, 2009 8:45:37 AM
Give out refunds to everyone? Sounds kind of risky. Considering how many free tickets people get. Not only that but corporate sponsors. It wont be the fans getting their money back, it'll be a lot of companies too. A lot of people that have a thursday ticket probably have tickets to other days too, so I dont see the big deal. Oh well, if I didnt get a refund then i'll just suck it up and be a man and go a different day.
Posted by: Steve | Jun 19, 2009 8:44:24 AM
Grow up. You bought a ticket, it rained, get over it. Don't like it? Take up an indoor sport!
Posted by: Frank | Jun 19, 2009 8:40:58 AM
I watched the interview on the Golf Channel last night with one of the tournament administrators. He was attempting to explain that they only have capacity for a certain number of ticket holders on any given day of the tourney. He cited safety issues, liability concerns, etc. While he did express his empathy for all of Thursday's fans, it is still unfortunate that the "No Refund" policy is in place. I think Michael Bamberger makes some excellent points with his suggestions of alternatives to the policy - especially in this economy.
Posted by: Evan | Jun 19, 2009 8:40:00 AM
Having played the black and been out this week the course can not handle more people per day. With that said why can't yesterday's tickets be valid on Monday is play occurs?
Posted by: James | Jun 19, 2009 8:38:48 AM
The letter I sent:
Dear USGA,
I am writing you because as far as I can determine it is the only email address on the USGA website. Strange.
My wife and I are retired. We have a moderate income. We decided to splurge and go to one day of the US Open on Long Island. It cost us $240 with transportation.
I understand that rain is part of nature and a part of golf. I understand rain suspensions and rain cancellations. However in this case since we paid $240 to go to your event where we never saw any golf and where more than half the players never saw the golf course it seems ridiculous that your organization would take our money and then tell us that's it, go home. Now you have posted a notice on your website announcing "Thursday tickets will not be accepted for round one on Friday."
Organizations that fail usually have a history of treating their clients indifferently.
You have done that.
Does the USGA need the money that badly?
You have turned your back on a customer. Should I turn my back on your sponsors in the same way?
I believe that this letter will meet with indifference on your part.
Posted by: John Maithcraic | Jun 19, 2009 8:38:14 AM
Contact NYS Attorney General
We should contact Andrew Cuomo to do an investigation of the USGA's policies. They committed fraud. They should be investigated and maybe their not for profit status cancelled.
Posted by: ex-usga member | Jun 19, 2009 8:35:45 AM
sorry dan, but this tourny can be compaired to other sporting events, if you think its a 4 day event your the one who is clueless....its a 4 round event. 72 holes will be completed by all no matter how many days it takes. The USGA has serveral was to go about handeling this. they just chose the path the ignores there fans.
Posted by: Sam | Jun 19, 2009 8:33:05 AM
Let the prima donnas play in the rain. They're professionals - let's see ehat they can do under adverse conditions!
Posted by: Dave Carlin | Jun 19, 2009 8:32:03 AM
It's simple, let people in today that have a Thursday ticket stub. If you can't be bothered to return to the course, it's your loss. It's not the USGA's fault.
Posted by: LAW | Jun 19, 2009 8:30:39 AM
Sadly, there is no perfect option in terms of exchanging tickets for another date or event. Would it be nice if the USGA refunded fans money. Absolutely. But they are in the perfect position of being able to swallow all of that money under the premise of "Buyer beware". I think it is good to give a refund, and cannot the that hard. Many other sports and golf tournaments make this concession. Why can't the USGA? They just don't want to. And next year's US Open won't suffer a dime.
Posted by: soulsabr | Jun 19, 2009 8:26:45 AM
I can't really blame the USGA. When I went to Six Flags and it rained I was out a $50 ticket. It is a risk you take and it is stated right there on the ticket most times. Deal with it. I do, however, think it was a very foolish move from a business stand point. Bottom line, if you don't like the policy, don't buy the product. They lose enough money and I they'll either change the policy or go the way of the dinosaur.
Posted by: Rutger Smit (NL) | Jun 19, 2009 8:09:52 AM
As a European US Open fan I think this is a wrong call indeed by the USGA. Whatever the reason not to refund, they should contemplate alternatives such as:
- discounts on possible Monday play-off
- discounts on other tickets during the (next) US Open.
Providing your dedicated fans with nothing is outrageous.
Posted by: Dan | Jun 19, 2009 8:05:57 AM
Any of you fools comaparing to tennis or baseball are clueless. The tourney is four days only, not 81 games, not 14 days and nights. It'd be nice if we held the buyer accountable for not reading the terms instead of blaming others
Posted by: Harry | Jun 19, 2009 8:02:04 AM
The USGA should read up on how the Yankees treated their fans after they lost to the Nats in a long rain-delayed game.
Posted by: dj | Jun 19, 2009 7:59:04 AM
LET THE BUYER BEWARE! If you bought the ticket without checking on the refund policy - it was a risk you took .... and lost. But heh, you have 3 hours of play. If you don't like to odds, then don't pay.
Posted by: tom s | Jun 19, 2009 7:56:03 AM
Why a refund? If you go to an amusement park, football game or horse race etc. and it rains do you get a refund. It is the gamble that you take. Do you really want 2X the people today.
Posted by: Brian Schnurr | Jun 19, 2009 7:51:17 AM
The USGA needs to take a page from the "other" US Open that dominates the New York sports scene the end of every summer. Not only do they have a superior rain-out ticket policy they let fans know what is going on when the rain delay is going on. I was out Bethpage yesterday standing between the 15th and 16th hole when the horns went off. There was not a single announcement made over the next two hours I stood in the pouring rain on the cause of delay (was it rain, lightning, high winds, etc) or how long it would last. Unless you waited in line for a half an hour to take cover in the main Merchandise tent or were affliated with one of the few corporate sponsors and could get into one of those tents you were left to stand out in the open or underneath a tree - not the safest thing to do when you're clueless out in Long Island cut off from all outside communication (remember - no cell phones or PDA's). Mark my word this was my first and last time ever attending a USGA event.
Posted by: tod | Jun 19, 2009 7:49:38 AM
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Posted by: Mattos | Jun 19, 2009 7:49:09 AM
I was slow to embrace the USGA when they started all this public golf courtship...I was wary that these elite execs would exploit the common man. But they got me...Bethpage in 2002...Torrey Pines in 2008. Why would bright guys like that throw all that away? Elitists exposed! Me & the USGA are DONE,
Posted by: Michael Loughren | Jun 19, 2009 7:41:51 AM
I just received the renewal in the mail for my USGA membership. I didn't buy tickets, however, to support those who did and have been treated with such disregard, I will not renew my membership. It is a shame that an organization that has started a program like the first tee to increase interest in golf, can so quickly reverse any of the good will it has built over time.
Posted by: jim soukup | Jun 19, 2009 7:40:42 AM
finally a to the point message on the us open website, NO refunds , NO exchanges..loyal fans of the USGA should not be treated like this..the weather and conditions was terrible thursday, but the fans i met and talked to were so upbeat and friendly..come USGA step up and and be the hero!!
Posted by: Rick | Jun 19, 2009 7:40:38 AM
I think it's time to let my USGA membership lapse. Bad decision on not refunding the fans, just plain dumb.
Posted by: Rusty Cage | Jun 19, 2009 7:39:54 AM
I'm sorry if I don't feel sympathetic towards the USGA. In a time when the country is feeling economic woes at every possible turn, the USGA needs to make sacrifices too, and that includes being generous and supportive of the game's fan base.
Posted by: Ben | Jun 19, 2009 7:37:31 AM
As a golfer who only had Thursday Grounds passes, I will not be renewing my USGA membership. Their membership has been down over the past 10 years and the USGA is fighting to stay relevant. After this blunder it's clear they are losing that battle.
Posted by: tod | Jun 19, 2009 7:37:21 AM
(516) 249-0153 This is the correct number. Please call and voice your opinion.
Posted by: Bob V | Jun 19, 2009 7:35:48 AM
Golf is a rich white mans sport. If you can't afford to lose the $100, then pick up a sport you can afford. I applaud the USGA for their policy!!!
Posted by: tod | Jun 19, 2009 7:35:29 AM
(516) 249-0153 This is the number to Bethpage. Press "7" to speak to a USGA volunteer. You can also select "Will Call" from the voice menu and speak to Sandy. Let's all 40,000 flood their phone lines today. We should all be there afterall!!!! The USGA has no class. We must all stand up and fight this. for (4) tickets.
Posted by: John | Jun 19, 2009 7:32:19 AM
I spent $200 to go yesterday. If I don't get a refund, I am unlikely to risk trying to go again. Also, if this is how the USGA treats its members and supporters, I'm done with them.
Posted by: steve | Jun 19, 2009 7:31:19 AM
Golf is suppose to be a sport comprised around ethics and personal honesty. Well it looks like the USGA does not remember which sport they are suppose to be about. They are now in the sport of money!
Posted by: Joe in Madison | Jun 19, 2009 7:25:09 AM
Have the stuffed shirts from the USGA heard about the lousy economy? There are any number of ways the Thursday fans can be compensated for their disappointment. Figure it out. Show some class.