As some of you know, I have updated my Facebook recently with something called the Golf Cart Chronicles -- which is about trying to get the Ritz Hotel in Half-Moon Bay to give me a Golf Cart to drive my Mother (aka Mother Nature) and my Mother-In-Law along their coastline. Read some of the post below.... and comments from my Facebook friends about the Golf Carts...
Scott K WilderThe Ritz-Half Moon Bay will not rent me a golf cart to drive my mother, my mother-in-law & wife along their coastline for Mothers Day. Why?
Maybe some small minded, smsll print bureaucracy the org has. Depending on their ages, could your mother/mother-in-law-get some kind of doctor's note re: medical/mobility necessity? Just an idea.....
I would be willing to bet if you talked to the general manager and explained your situation, he would help you. Be nice but firm about you wanting to do business with them, but can't recommend them if they don't help you with this request. (Make sure it's the real General Manager, not some lower level mgr that can't make decisions.)
It's probably an insurance deal. Do you know a private member? Otherwise just approach the guest services group asking for a mobile guide to view the coastline path. You may end up with a cart but probably the larger cart and a driver. I've toured hotels AND they pull up a larger cart and drove us all over. Last ditch effort ask for a guided tour of the property for a future event and the tell them where you want to go after you have the guy/gal. Good luck.
I say to hell with em - just go rent a Hummer, then send the ticket you get for detroying sensitive habitat right to the Ritz, with a copy to the local papers. They'll adjust their policy pretty quick.
Scott K WilderToday, I want to know why the Ritz in Half Moon Bay will not let me rent a golf cart to drive my mother and my mother-in-law around the grounds and along the coast. .... along their golf path.....
Scott K WilderAn old friend suggested that I develop Golf Cart updates.: A study conducted by Center for Injury Research & Policy of The Research Institute at the Nationwide Children's Hospital found that there were an estimated 148,000 golf cart-related injuries between 1990 and 2006 ranging from an estimated 5,770 cases in 1990 to approximately 13,411 cases in 2006. I BETTER BUY MOM some seat belts.
I was told that these injuries relate to drinking and golfing, no DUI citations on the golf course, and children using carts without supervision. It is better than carrying the clubs!
omg - just got a call from my car ins. agent this morning. Looks like there's a big change I'm getting sued for backing into a security officer driving a golf/security car @ my daughter's school 2 years ago! I swear I was going 1-2 mph backing out of my parking space. The guy went forward and hit his leg... Get that seatbelt, a helment and rubber suit for mom!!!
I am actually reflected somewhere in those stats. A friend and I had to much to drink, he was driving the cart, and we came up to a hill, instead of slowing down, he floored it, we were going close to 50 at the bottom, and could not make the turn. As we lay on the ground, with the cart on its side, laughing our asses off, he realized that the blood coming from his shirt was there because his bone was sticking out!!
Out here in the desert boonies, they buy golf carts and jack them up with big off-road tires. Kids ride 'em to school and use as offroad vehicles. I want one!
Scott K WilderMore on the Golf Cart Chronicles: Now, I realize that I can drive my Mother and Mother-in-Law up and down the hills of San Francisco... so they don't have to call a cab to go a few blocks... I wonder if ZipCar rents Carts?
You ought to check out SilverRide.com. They specialize in senior transportation and once seniors start using their services they often sign up for their field trips, meet other seniors and voila! Scott gets a new step dad!
Ritz-Half Moon Update: I just spoke to a hotel manager and we CAN get a golf cart tour for my mother and mother-in-law around the grounds. (caveat: The Ritz provides the driver).
Good luck.