Metcalf Ridge Golf Club

Having been a member at this course for five years, I can honestly say that this is the best deal around. Over the years the club has had its ups and downs. When I first became a member the superintendent at the time didn't have a whole lot of knowledge, and or ability. This combined with limited funds proved to be a failure. However, the owners brought in a new superintendent who seems to be legitimate. He has improved the course in so many ways, all the members are extremely satisfied with his work. The course is on its way back to its former state, when the club was rabbit creek. The rating for the course itself would be excellent, considering the cost, tricky layout, fairways and greens.

The reason for the low rating comes entirely from the club house. The facility itself is not bad, the food and a certain person working there put a sour taste in my mouth. Both literally and metaphorically. First, there is no pro shop, no equipment for sale, nothing but a handful of balls. This isn't that big of a deal, just come to the course prepared.

The food at the course was once acceptable, back when the club house had a functioning kitchen. Now that the grill has been turned off due to lack of profit , the members have been reduced to gas station style sandwiches and old crispy hotdogs. This wouldn't be a problem for me if the club would allow outside food and beverages, but this is not the case. Guess I'll take the frozen ham and cheese.

Now for the staff. Currently this consists of the superintendent, who is a very nice guy, knowledgeable of the game, and pleasant to speak with. You will be lucky to interact with him, as he is often working on the course with the crew. The crew is comprised of approximately ten nice young men, and English is their first language. Getting back to the clubhouse staff, besides the superintendent there is a young lady who is working through school. She is very nice and accommodating, gets you what is needed and does it with a smile.

Recently my favorite staff member has either been fired or simply stopped working. She was a very sweet older woman, she was a typical country grandma, always making you feel at home. Often she would bring in homemade food to serve in the clubhouse which made the place feel very inviting. She was probably the best thing the club had going for it, great person, really miss her. Her replacement has been nothing but a abysmal disappointment. At first look she seems something like the woman she replaced, nothing could be further from the truth. I would describe he personality as empty. She brings nothing to the table besides an ability to press buttons on the cash register. Often, even this proves to be a difficult task for her. Slow and lethargic, often grumpy, she keeps folks out of the clubhouse. This is problematic as she is the person your most likely to be dealing with. You'd think that those in charge of hiring such a person would understand that this position requires more than the ability to place cash in a drawer. The staff in the clubhouse needs to be inviting, that is attractive women, or more realistically people willing to engage with the members. I would rather deal with some sort of automated, atm like machine, then to have to deal with the shrill, cold, robot who works the register now.

We are talking about a golf club that has monthly dues of $10. Given that, this course really is an unbeatable deal. I drive past a half a dozen courses on my way to Louisburg, burning through several gallons of precious fuel each trip. When I walk into the clubhouse I just want to feel welcomed, when I see the replacements truck parked in the lot I add five strokes to my round automatically. Something must be done.

Written by a man who plays here 3-4 times a week, and has brought several new members.