From the moment we entered the "pro shop", the experience just kept getting worse. My husband, son and I decided on a Sunday afternoon to go play a quick nine holes. After being told children under the age of 8 were not allowed on the regulation 9 hole course and that it was a city of McMinnville liability law, we were already not in love with the Bayou. After going back and forth with a woman with a thick German accent and no customer service abilities, she informed us that he was welcome to play the Par 3 course, no liability issue there, even though both courses are right next to each other and would have the same liability. My son and I had attempted to play the "Par 3" course, a glorified goat pasture where only the greens resemble a golf course, only to be pock marked, bare or diseased, a week before.
When I asked why this was the policy as juniors are welcome at many courses statewide, she said, "oh, those are resorts." When I told her that in fact not only resort but daily fee, semi private and private clubs allow children under the age of 8, she then put he blame on the city of McMinnville. Mind you, this is a privately owned club. This gal was argumentative, rude and unknowledgeable about golf and insurance. She then proceeded to tell us that if we wanted to pay for him to play, which he doesn't yet at age 5, then he was welcome. The green fee 9 hole prices are much too high considering the shape of the golf course, especially the greens. Several greens had large bare spots, disease and pock marks just like the "Par 3" course.
It is clear that juniors are not welcome on the regulation course, nor do they really support junior golf going by the condition of the Par 3 and the less than courteous shop woman.
We will never return after having to argue the merits of our child's safety against an insurance policy that is clearly misunderstood and has no truth to it. To stand at the counter and lie, deceive and turn off customers is not sound business and we will certainly not avail ourselves again. It is a shame to see what has become of the Bayou under it's new ownership! read more