golfrewind.com

Hey folks, have a question for everyone about a golf trip that I plan every year to Myrtle Beach. those who have read posts about me know how crazy I get come trip time. This year I got 24 people, we leave June 19th. I had no problems collecting my 100.00 deposits from everyone and sending them in in early April. I set a date of May 15 as being the date everyone had to have checks into me to pay the trip off. Now, I don't actually have to have the money in until Jun 4th, but I wanted some extra time in case of trouble, BOY AM I GLAD I DID.

Yesterday, one of the last guys to try and get money from, calls me, and tells me of his Wife's cancer. I know that his wife comes first, and wouldn't ever expect him to go. his wife keeps telling him to go, but she has been getting sicker and sicker after Chemo treatments, so he backed out. He had only paid his deposit, which i of course will do my best to fill his spot and get his money with him. My prayers, and our group's friends and family's prayers are with him and his wife.

In searching for another person, another person on the trip, who has paid in full, tells me he has to back out because of some golf tourney he was invited to pay, with an option to become a member at a hard to get in course. they take the fee from 4000.00 to 1000.00 with yearly dues being 199.99 after that.

My question is how should I handle the trip now. I have booked the rooms and golf as 6 foursomes, if I don't have it, the price has to go up, and somehow, some people won't be playing in full foursomes. I don't think I should have to refund a single penny to the guy who backed out for a Golf Tourney. Heck, if I have to find someone and have to join the trip for free, I don't think I should feel even the slightest bit guilty. I am having trouble rounding up 2 more people and have become very stressed out about it.

I would also like to note, since booking 20 or people, they give the trip captain a free trip. I declined, and worked the free trip into everyone's price. I want to shoot myself for that now.

Yup, I think that the deposit should be non-refundable for the second guy. He just has to figure out what is more important to him. The first guy really doesn't have a choice. Even if he went, how much fun would it be if all he can think about is his wife's illness? It certainly puts you in a bind, but managing a large group like that is going to have its problems. You have to be ready to accept it and have a Plan B ready to implement. What Plan B may be, I have no idea.

If it was an option for me, I'd join you.... but I can't dump that kind of money into a 2000 mile trip on short notice. My wife is healthy, but I wouldn't be after I told her about it. We already have trips to the Bahamas (May) and The Philippines (September) booked and paid for. Another one would break the vacation bank.

I think the whole idea of deposit is to guarantee your spot and thus guarantee that you are going. Deposits are in general non-refundable. Definitely for the second guy, and your call for the first one (out of compassion). Nothing to feel guilty about.

Sounds like you have done everything right so far. Trust your instincts.

If no substitutes can be found, then the 2 golfers who backed should/could still be held responsible for the lodging portion (the price of the golf does not change). However, with the 2 less golfers, that means the cost of the golf packages will decrease for every golfer as there are less people to share the FREE golf package with, that is one way to look at it. Although with 22 golfers, you could get a 4 two bedroom condos and 1 three bedroom condo, this would actually reduce everyone's cost as 6 golfers staying in a 3 bedroom condo is cheaper than 4 golfers staying in a 4 bedroom condo.

Either way, your golf packager is should be able to refund the $200 deposits if you end up with 22 golfers. Good Luck!

Hey Fourputt, it's ok, judging by your picture icon, you might be a little young for our trip anyway..;>

61 and counting. That photo is childhood shot of my father-in-law when he was 3.... he's 85 now. I just love the mischievous look in his eye. He still has that same twinkle.

No one wants to pay if they can't go, and unless you specifically told everyone they would owe their share of the expense if they don't go, I don't see how you can expect anything more than keeping the deposit. Now in all fairness, I don't think it is wrong for you to ask for more, and if someone commits, they probably should pay the extra expense for them not going.

Hopefully the guy in the tournament will contribute something, and the other golfers may be willing to share the extra lodging expense.

If you arrange it again, I would suggest charging each person enough to cover the expenses if 2 or 3 people drop out, and then if everyone goes, give the money back, or use it for some golfing prizes.