Skin Volunteer Update

[Ken Weatherford]

Rick, I have a question, since you mentioned skimming off the top. I know people that have done it for a long time. Anyway, what I’d like to know is whether some skins people use paid software to run skins. I have an app that costs money to run tournament skins. It’s not a lot, but one year I lost money running skins. Didn’t get a single tip for doing it, which is fine with me, but I quit doing it after that…not going to pay twice to be in skins and then run them.

[Rick Kimbrell]

Ken, I have run skins off and on for a bunch of years. I have software that I could be used but honestly I don’t want to drag my computer around to do it. I have a spreadsheet that I load up every year with names, print out what I need and have it available to use if no one else runs skins. Everything that is paid in gets paid out. I hold nothing back, do not skim off top. I am dead set against that myself. I have never lost money, just my time, doing the skins. I have had people buy me drinks, give me tip(s) and people who have taken $1000 and did not even say so much as “Thank you”. I don’t do it for the money. I like meeting people who I will be sharing the golf course with for 4 days. I don’t really understand how you can actually lose money doing skins. Also, if I am running skins, I put my money in just like everyone else. So, if you feel you should get something for running it…that is your decision. If you happened to be in my flight and running skins, as long as I know you are going to do that in advance…then I have a decision to make…Do I want to participate or not. Pretty much every year, I am going to ask whomever is running the skins…are you taking a cut or getting free entry into it yourself?

[Ken Delaney]

Ken, I use the old Pen and Paper method lol. No “off the top” fees here…

I run the skins because I want to make sure “there’s a game”. I have shown up to my Monday course and everyone is looking around for someone to run skins and a guy stepped up. But I am sure he wasn’t planning on it and that may have changed his week (in a way).

I just want to get it out there early to ensure it happens and if I’M doing it, i want to prepare. Paperwork, name verification, and most importantly “my practice time”. And I have a close friend who’s nifty with paperwork stuff..

[David Baker]

Running a skin game is a labor of love. It is time consuming and in some instances there is no love from the people who are winning, in some cases big sums. I have seen it all, from some who tip small or say thank you to those that tip nicely. While I agree that there is nothing that says a tip is required, anytime I won a skin, which isn’t very often, I have always tiped 10% to the individual who is giving of his time to do a service. I appreciate anyone who takes the time to run the game and they deserve, in my opinion, to be tipped for providing that service.

[Ken Weatherford]

Thanks guys! I have a lot in common with all of you. I have seen it all. First year, I think I was tipped some huge amount, like almost $400 and more recent years, little to nothing…usually the biggest winners are the ones that don’t tip at all. Dave, I am more like you. I tip the guy doing them because I appreciate them being there. I give them usually at least $20-$50, depending on which day I won a skin and how much, but I rarely see the other guys doing it. Sad. What comes around goes around, in my opinion. In fact, I think I have won at least one skins on the final day (40% of the pool) in my last three or four tournaments, enough to ensure the guys running skins get something for their time and effort.

[Ken Weatherford]

Dale, I really appreciate your rules sheet. I saved it, just in case I run them this year. I’ll at least be prepared if no one else does it.

[Ken Weatherford]

Rick, I agree with you on carrying the laptop part. I hate dragging it along most of the time, but I do work and watch movies on it on the plane, so I have it with me most of the time. At least it fits in the wife’s carry-on bag. lol

[Rick Kimbrell]

Ken, my laptop is the first thing I unpack and setup when I get to MB because of work (well this year it will not be because of work…retired by time WA gets here). I just don’t want to take it to the golf course and deal with it.

[Ken Weatherford]

The only thing I don’t like about spreadsheets is that they can’t see the low scores (skins), and I’m blind. I just like the convenience of not having to add things up, read columns of two or more pages to find out if there is a winner, etc.

My online app just needs scores, and the database does the rest…even price per skin, etc. Besides, I can also use my iPad instead of the laptop.

[Ken Weatherford]

Anyone have the skins volunteer link for 2019?

[Jeffrey Barbas]

When I ran it I had my own accounting system I do. I bring 4 different flight sheets for every day of the tournament. First day if you paid me $100 that’s beside your name. The next days sheet will read $80, then $60 and finally $40 on the last day. For those few that forgot to bring their money on Monday and paid $20 they needed to find me on Tuesday. It’s may sound like work, but, the money always came out correct.

Next, when the guys stopped to report their birdies and eagles I put a check mark by their name. If I have to (And I don’t want to have to) I would ask the course to check a few cards and they never had a problem pulling them for me to check for birdies and eagles. The longer we are there the more money they make at the bar or clubhouse. This is my way of checks and balance. I never like to pay someone out that really doesn’t deserve it.

I have sheets made up for each day with the course holes and par on it and two boxes beside them. A row of birdies and row of eagles. Haven’t seen the Albatross in this event yet. I end up putting 2 names in the box and then X it out. I will also mark how many additional birdies were on each hole when they get turned in just for whatever.

I think Ken Delaney liked my sheets last year. I was glad to help out in some way. The biggest thing is that as long as someone honest and diligent does it then everyone appreciates it. So an official scorecard shown is great. A scorecard from every group (one scorecard) with all players last names and first if you can fit them, legible preferred, turned in to who is running skins can make sure everyone is accounted for makes the job of the guy running it a lot easier. But we know that probably won’t happen. It would be nice though. But however you guys decide to do it, thanks for doing it.

[Raymond Lemoine]

Jeffrey, I basically do the same thing as you do when I run the skins. I also keep separate sheets for each course we play and have par and score for each hole on that course. It seems to work really well, I’ve used this method for the past 13 years. Seems everyone likes it as they can see when a hole gets cut and who is still alive as the scores come in.

[William Zeoli]

My thanks to all the guys who run the skins games, especially the non skimmers. Each year I get tempted to do it, but I’m usually sharing rides with guys in other flights playing close by. Beyond that, I run so much stuff at home that a few days of just playing golf are a real relief. Of course, I say that, but there are 12 of us playing this time and I’m running stuff for our group alone. Just can’t quite give it up. Meanwhile, in my four previous years, I’ve won the grand total of one skin, but it was a HOLE IN ONE, so good enough. That skins pool was run by a fellow named Larry Snider, from West Virginia, a really nice man.

[dan westenbarger]

I will be available to do the skins in my flights this year if needed.I should be in at 10.2 in the mid senior division,same as last year.i will also do a par 3 week long tournament as I have done the past few years,this gets more popular every year. I would like to hear from the guys that were in my flights last year and let me know what you think.Look forward to seeing everyone.

[Raymond Lemoine]

David, i will be doing the skins for flights 42 and 43.

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