Karl — thanks for the feedback, always welcomed. Let me first say that, sure, you can consider my reviews of Emerald Lake biased — just as you would anybody’s reviews of a course they play frequently and know well. Since I joined on 7/30, I have played there probably 8 or 10 times for at least 9 holes. I also know the staff pretty well.

That said, let me clear up a few other things you mentioned. First, the Featured Course on this site’s home page is automatically selected based on the course with the most recent review. So with me having posted 3 reviews since 7/23, there’s a good chance when you’ve visited the site recently that Emerald Lake was the Featured Course — as it will remain until a more recent review for another course is posted. Please, by all means, if you’ve played another course recently, post a review and that course will become the featured one. Just note that the selection is based on the date you played not on the date you submit the review.

Secondly, my defense of Emerald Lake over the last 12 months has more to do with me living so close to the course and knowing the staff. I can see for myself whether the reported conditions are as someone describes. I can also get the other side of the story directly from the staff — which I have posted in fairness and to provide my site visitors with more information so they can judge for themselves. I have never withheld replies from the original reviewer. In the previous cases here on the message board, the reviewers never posted another message or contacted me.

Lastly, I would encourage you to post a full review if you had a bad experience at Emerald Lake. Other players can then comment. I, for one, as biased as I may be, don’t know what courses you are comparing Emerald Lake to that you would consider it a “cow pasture.” As I’ve noted, the only issues I have seen are ball marks on the greens from lots of recent play, a few greens with small bare spots requiring a top dressing of sand and a few tee boxes that are thin. The greens roll very true, the fairways are lush and weed-free and the bunkers have been kept in good shape. There are only a few courses in the Charlotte area I would consider a “cow pasture” — due to weeds in the fairways, greens not mowed, bare dirt spots around the course, grass in the bunkers, etc — and one of them closed a few years ago (Crystal Creek).

I encourage other readers to weigh on and comment on my recent reviews.

Thanks,

B-Man

he must have had a bad round. i for one play emerald lake a few times a year and find the staff and course enjoyable. keep up the good work b-man.

A few things as a long time reader of these forums

1. Emerald Lake is a good course with fantastic staff. I’ve been going there for years and I’ve never understood the negative reviews on these boards given my countless positive experiences there. The range is great and the course is always in good shape.

2. BMan has not been biased about his reviews, just honest and objective. I don’t think that will change now that he has joined Emerald Lake. I agree with others….keep up the good work!

Karl — actually, I have indeed given other course GM’s the opportunity to respond to negative feedback here on the site — the most recent example was Birkdale, but before that I’ve done the same for Charlotte Golf Links and Rocky River, to name a few. And I will always give course staff the opportunity to respond here on the site if they contact me.

If you read one of my recent reviews of EL, I actually said I would not post a review every time I play (since it would be frequently). Most likely I’ll only post a new one if conditions change. So watch for my next update because it likely means something’s going on (perhaps when they aerate).

As I said before, please post your own reviews of Emerald Lake and other local courses. This site is built on player feedback and opinions. If I post a review that you don’t agree with, post a comment. If you think my coverage of Emerald Lake is biased or not accurate, then don’t take my word for it.

Let me know if you have a suggestion for how I should handle Emerald Lake reviews and feedback. I couldn’t tell from your post what you were expecting me to do differently. And if you want to handle it off the board, feel free to send me a direct email.

B-Man