I played golf this week at an Oahu course that's fallen on hard times. It's the kind of outfit where they used to be downright rude to kamaainas. A tee time this week? Forget it. ''Please call a month in advance and we'll see if we can fit you in.'' The game has changed
Eight years ago, the clubhouse was fresh and well-groomed inside and out. Today, it's down at the heels. Two of the four sinks in the men's room have gaping holes where the faucets used to be. The place hasn't been mopped in a week and the standing water on the floor is muddy.
The greens are still immaculate, lush and true, but the fairways beg for fertilizer, weeding and more water. There's a lot of ground that's been ''under repair'' since the Gulf War. The parking lot wants patching, paving and striping, the buildings need paint, the pro shop carpet is stained -- you get the picture.
There's no shortage of workers. Last Wednesday, the greenskeepers seemed to outnumber the players. In sharp contrast to the unsmiling starter -- still just as cold to local customers as in the good old days -- they'd politely turn off their mowers and tractors whenever a golfer got ready to hit.
What's missing -- besides the stream of limousines that once delivered a never-ending supply of well-heeled players from Waikiki hotels? I'd suggest a hands-on, customer-oriented manager making tough decisions about staff size, needs and priorities.
Sometimes, golf is like life.
John Flanagan is editor and publisher of the Star-Bulletin.
To reach him call 525-8612, fax to 523-8509, send
e-mail to publisher@starbulletin.com or write to
P.O. Box 3080, Honolulu, Hawaii 96802.