Boozer's Golf Review Vol. 14 - Bloomingdale Golfers Club

Reviewing Bloomingdale Golfers Club brings back memories of more carefree college nights in Gainesville bars. Booze plays a very important role in both. Bloomingdale's rough exterior requires beer goggles to fully enjoy a round. In fact, in order to truly "enjoy" Bloomingdale, we recommend at least attempting a beer per hole. You might drink enough to think you're playing Waterlefe, but even if you fail, passing out early might be better than closing the deal and waking up with a 3 in your bed or a +29 net on your scorecard. With that in mind, we expected Bloomingdale to have a great BGR rating. Spoiler alert: it didn't.

You can't drink all day if you don't start early

Bloomingdale aced this portion of the exam. When a burgeoning Booze Golfer asked if they would serve before 11 AM on Sunday, the bartender was indifferent, which is better than a flat denial. A wink and a nod with a coy smile is preferred when skirting local ordinances, but giving beer in exchange for cash is the important part here. Is it because it's semi-private? Perhaps, but either way bravo to your bravado, Bloomingdale.

On-course service

The cart girl was out early and often, but there was something amiss about the service itself. She either didn't notice or didn't care when groups needed booze, choosing instead to drive right on by. Later seen napping in the bar, perhaps she was just having an off day, something with which all Booze Golfers can empathize.That said, we have to rate what we see, and we were generally disappointed. Maybe it was a slow day so she was discouraged, or maybe the local Mormon church had a 7 AM shotgun start that made her arrive early. Either way, it isn't tough to push booze on a golf course, and she made it look like as painful as watching Gorecki line up a putt. At $21.50 for a domestic 6-pack, it's priced higher than you'd think for this level of golf course, and on top of it all she ran out of Budweisers.

Clubhouse Experience

Whereas last week we were told the clubhouse was a great place to take your significant other, we would advise against that this week. That is, unless she's a huge fan of a medium cheese pizza, 10 boneless wings, 6 garlic knots, and a domestic pitcher. The combo itself isn't so bad, but why call it the Valentine's Combo?

BGC masters the art of romance.

Prices were high in the clubhouse as well. $15 for a domestic pitcher is way higher than it should be. At least one league member protested by remaining on the deadbeat list for at least 2 more weeks rather than shelling out for overpriced draft beer. We guess these prices are what it takes to support the Chili's stools and unfinished outside patio* area. Oh, and the bartender sometimes disappears so if you want a refill you'll need to time it right.

There were no baby back ribs in sight.

Shot of the week

An Irishman and Big John walk into a bar...

A BGR founder was hopeful to take part in the shot of the week with fellow BGR founder Big John, but the lengthy absence of a bartender at exit time forced a substitute. It was later reported that Big John was able to spread the Gospel of the BGR with Irish Dave when they checked out the Crown Apple at $8.75 a piece. Beating a dead horse here, but that's too expensive. We have to assume the Apple and Dave were selected jointly as Dave stands as the most decorated apple-booze aficionado in our club. 

Overall

What started off with some promise ended with a thud. Prices are too high, inside clubhouse isn't nice enough, not enough food options for booze base, and poor cart service combine to give Bloomingdale 2 cold beers out of the 6 pack. We were going with 3, but writing this and looking back on it made us angrier and now it's 2. Tough luck, Bloomingdale.

*The patio area was actually pretty nice and we probably should have hung out there instead of the dreary indoor area of the clubhouse.