Scene on the green: Drunken antics reported at Piedmont Driving Club
The Piedmont Driving Club, known for elegant events such as this past Atlanta Ballet Ball, apparently experienced some recent unpleasantness.
NOTE: Commenting on this blog has been turned off; at 244 comments it had become a bit unwieldy. Click here for a new PDC blog with open commenting; please try to be civil.
The Piedmont Driving Club, usually the scene of air-kissing luncheons and elegant charity galas, is dealing with allegations of unsavory drunken antics more in keeping with the comedy “Caddyshack.”
A letter from a club member sent to the club’s president and general manager and first obtained and posted by the Deadspin web site, complains in detail about uncharacteristically rowdy behavior at a recent golfing event.
“One member decided to play the 14th hole completely naked,” the letter said. “I have not researched it, but I suspect this is a crime in Georgia.”
It goes downhill from there, with members reportedly taking al fresco bathroom breaks on the greens, one member exhibiting his “ability to pick up a golf ball with his naked butt cheeks” and a member passing out in the men’s grill. The Animal House antics reportedly disturbed a rehearsal dinner that was taking place in the club’s main dining room at the time.
“When someone from the rehearsal dinner came into the men’s grill to ask that the drunken members quiet down, the response from one of the drunken golfers was (physically impossible expletive),” the letter said.
In a statement, the Piedmont Driving Club acknowledged that something happened but didn’t address the allegations in detail.
“We have taken disciplinary action based on what we currently know to be true,” the statement read. “We take this matter very seriously and are looking into it further. When all of the facts are gathered and verified, we will consider further action.”
The letter does not name the miscreants, although a tipster sent us the identities of three very prominent Atlantans who supposedly took place in the shenanigans. We’re told they have been suspended and fined.
Since we first posted the story we’ve heard from a number of people identifying themselves as members. They were about evenly split on whether this was all fatuous nonsense or a matter that deserved more scrutiny. None of them wanted to be identified.
“I’d like it to go away,” one anonymous member told us. “It tarnishes our name.”
On the other hand the letter writer, a prominent local attorney, requested that the rowdy antics “be well publicized throughout the Club. Among other things, let the wives and children of these drunkards be confronted with, and ashamed by, the grotesque conduct of their husbands and fathers.”
- Jennifer Brett/The Buzz/jbrett@ajc.com
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244 comments Add your comment
juluis ricardo
June 1st, 2012
9:58 am
100%:To Member, Club Member & AF Girl your are correct and I am absolutely 100% correct because I was brought in to work and bartend the party.Part timer while attending GTech. The entitled bitch went off on a jealous rage related to her old boyfriend bringing his new girlfriend to the party. Insulting remarks and certain slanderous expletives such as whore and pencil di_k were heard throughout the rage. It all started at the main bar where I was working as she treated the help as if they were her servants. I heard later that she decided to give a Atlanta Policeman a similar tongue lashing and her date got in a fight with the cops. One thing led to another and it all ended poorly with the two of them down on Decatur Street.
Singing Jail House Rock
I would imagine it is public record but that may have disappeared with mommies $$$$$
Nothing more than a entitled, lewd & vulgar woman
OakhurstDawg
June 1st, 2012
9:58 am
Spalding!
I love this stuff. Stay on it Jennifer. I’m betting you can put together a 1:1 lineup of Caddyshack characters to PDC members and staff, including Lacey, Ty, Carl and Al…they’re all here in the ATL!
UVALaw
June 1st, 2012
10:01 am
Ronzul, I bet you have a lot of friends with that attitude. You sound like a great guy.
Yeti
June 1st, 2012
10:01 am
How funny is it that the members think that the”ordinary” people look up to them, because they waste their money on a snobby golf club. Get a clue. We all look at you like a hilarious train wreck just like a “Real Houswives” episode. Anyone who admires someone because they belong to a certain golf club is a loser. Who would want to waste their money to hang out with a bunch of people who are that out of touch with reality. You could give me a free membership, and I still wouldn’t waste my time at your club.
RedNeck
June 1st, 2012
10:07 am
Been drunk many a day out golfing, but none of us ever peed on the greens…and I don’t even want to know where the Junior Leaguers hubby learned how to oick up a golfball with his butt cheeks…sounds like he’s been hanging out in MidTown!
Goldie
June 1st, 2012
10:08 am
@ATL Live – Better double check your data. Atlanta isn’t even in the top 20.
Realist
June 1st, 2012
10:22 am
Ronzul-”Finest club in Atlanta. A few members acting like fools doesn’t tarnish the reputation of this elite private club. Funny the peanut gallery who could never afford to join or be invited for that matter are piling on while they can. This too shall pass and you’ll still be a member of Canongate when the sun comes up in the morning. Get a life people.” You do realize you are a HUGE loser, right Ronzul. It would be shame if you were to go through life not knowing that.
A.B. Normal
June 1st, 2012
10:31 am
Being that I am from “the other side of the tracks” and have never (and probably will never) set foot in this hoity-toity heaven, I think it’s hilarious!! Next thing ya know they’ll have an impromptu wet t-shirt contest on the practice green! Bring it!
A Simple Kind of Truth
June 1st, 2012
10:31 am
Sounds like a great club to me. Have some fun and live it up. Except for the part of picking up a ball with your buttocks. That’s over the line. Tiger Woods wounldn’t even do that on ambien.
Golfer 2
June 1st, 2012
10:33 am
Maybe drunk and stupid IS the way to go through life after all.
J Daly
June 1st, 2012
10:47 am
where exactly is this place?
Sounds Right
June 1st, 2012
10:53 am
My sister married a PDC member and this story tracks with what I saw at all the parties I attended prior to the wedding. We were members of a different ATL club growing up, so I am familiar with the club environment. Her husband is a drunk idiot who shamelessly lives off of his parents who lived off of their parents. The rehearsal dinner was a parade of drunk idiots who gave seemingly endless and vacuous toasts about their inheritances and money. It is obviously not indicative of the whole PDC, but this particular group of members was as low class a gathering as I have ever had the displeasure to endure. The saddest part is that these people had no idea how pathetic their behavior was and are convinced the rest of the world wants to be them.
Serendipity
June 1st, 2012
10:54 am
Just goes to show that, rich or poor, we are all human. Drink too much and some of us make complete arseholes out of ourselves. It’s funny, but sad as well.
A Palmer
June 1st, 2012
11:03 am
Wizzing on the Green – Bogey, Showing the Caddie your junk – Double Bogey, Picking up ball by buttcheeks – automatic DQ
I was there
June 1st, 2012
11:05 am
Wildly exaggerated and unsubstantiated rumors. There was certainly some behavior that was unacceptable and it has been dealt with, but most of this is eitherl patently false or ridiculously exaggerated
RC
June 1st, 2012
11:10 am
Why do people care? Because the details are crazy! Showing off how you can pick up a golf ball with your butt?!?
It’s this sort of behavior that characterized Rome during its decline. People like Ronzul are weak-minded and entitled. Guess what? The world owes you nothing. Gone are the days when average citizens could view the gentry with admiration and respect. These bums contribute nothing to our society and are a disgrace to our culture.
Instead of sweeping these incidents under the rug, the only way to cause change is to call it out when you see it. Name and shame the scum.
sal
June 1st, 2012
11:11 am
Down with the 1%. Those buffoons have destroyed this country.
Member
June 1st, 2012
11:15 am
The wives and children of these PDC members should be embarrassed. What kind of example are they setting for their children. They need to take a reality check and realize what they are doing to their families. This is something that they will not forget. What a shame! Grow up!!!
Maddernheck
June 1st, 2012
11:20 am
Once again, the rich and privileged think they are above all rules and laws. They are disgusting.
dre
June 1st, 2012
11:21 am
Oh my, the AJC was too nervous to publish the name of the atty who wrote the letter (John “Kit” Weitnauer) and what law firm (Alston& Bird) he is with?
John
June 1st, 2012
11:22 am
At their core, these PDC guys know they have accomplished little and find refuge in member/member types events where they are around others just as worthless as themselves. That way the mirror of reality is not put on them.
Ronzul your snarky comment about Cannogate is telling. I play that course on occasion and there are good hard-working kind natured people who respect the game of golf there. We all respect those types exponentially more than you and your fellow PDC “members.” Who cares who your grandfather was, or what homely woman you married to get in the Driving Club. At the end of the day, respect is earned by one’s deeds.
Rh in Dunwoody
June 1st, 2012
11:32 am
Hussein Obama just needs to make them pay their fair share, that’ll teach em’!
parrotheadtink
June 1st, 2012
11:34 am
Inbreds. NASCAR. Chicken and waffles, grits and Mountain Dew in baby bottles. Deep south attitudes. Drunk driving is funny. Peeing in public spaces hilarious. Eat too much, drink too much, get naked and do dumb things with aplomb (look it up, rednecks.) Yikes. And most of these people are probably republicans……..
Jillian_writes
June 1st, 2012
11:37 am
This is only news within the membership of that private club. And it is that membership who will and can deal with it as they choose. End of story.
rivercard
June 1st, 2012
11:38 am
Drunken nakedness and mayhem I can understand, but hitting to the green while others are putting.
Completely unforgivable.
pat
June 1st, 2012
11:39 am
HAH, go to a dispenza family party and you will cringe even more!!! …eh Jackie???
DRose
June 1st, 2012
11:43 am
I think this is just much to do about nothing. So a few bad apples acted inappropriately, I don’t think the entire club should be judged by them. For every idiot there I bet there are 100 good and descent people. If I were a paying club member, I wouldn’t want my family exposed to such either, and the offending members should either be suspended or expelled from the club.
Tom
June 1st, 2012
11:43 am
Well at least some people involved will buy the AJC for the first time since they stopped carrying Lewis Grizzard’s column.
John
June 1st, 2012
11:52 am
Yes, the AJC is so mad about this they are going to have their editorial staff do a 5 page piece —trying to tie it to Romney.
Ted Kennedy
June 1st, 2012
12:09 pm
And I thought all of the fun Kennedys were dead.
Typical southerners – 20 years behind the times.
PDC Member
June 1st, 2012
12:12 pm
I played in the tournament, never saw one bit of nudity and only some mildly inappropriate behavior.Half of the allegations are not true, and the other half happened “after hours”.(not while the actual golf tournament was going on). Plenty of people over served but that is only the club’s business and definitely not a bunch of fools who have nothing better to do than to comment on something they know nothing about.
rivercard
June 1st, 2012
12:13 pm
“Yes, the AJC is so mad about this they are going to have their editorial staff do a 5 page piece —trying to tie it to Romney.”
*************************************************************************************************************
John – You may be on to something. I suspect that magic underwear is very itchy.
Julius Robinson, Esq.
June 1st, 2012
12:21 pm
Dear Lacey Underall at 9:37 am,
I’m a PDC member, and I want to party with you! Consider the invitation extended to join me on the golf course or for a drink in the Tack Room. What the heck…I need to meet my minimum.
Of course, why these guys would get naked with a bunch of guys is a mystery. Sounds like some sort of Rock Hudson Roman-Greco frolic to me. Bound to be Dartmouth grads. If you’re going to golf naked, the Cheetah golf outing is much more fitting. (Insert one liners here).
No doubt incredibly rude to trash the other member’s rehearsal dinner. Don’t you goobers get it? Hello…bridesmaids, all liquored-up looking to get lucky and sloppy! Or maybe you were more interested in the groomsmen? Maybe a MILF? The possibilities are endless…why be so obnoxious to a pool full of fish?
In any case, Lacey, stop by the Club anytime. Just tell them you’re with John Cocktosin…and charge it to the Underhills.
Difference Between CLASS v. CRASS
June 1st, 2012
12:25 pm
The PDC has fostered this obscene behavior forever. The conduct will not improve as long as it is condoned by management and continues to be shrouded in secrecy.
It is curious that the PDC shames members whose dues are late by posting their names, but strongly guards the `reputation` of habitually bawdy member by condoning and concealing their names and details of their obtuse antics.
Expose the crass barbarians! At the very least, these rubes are exposing the PDC to a host of lawsuits. No doubt that someone will eventually upload the videos of their vulgar behavior and post their names in this age of micro-mini cameras and mobile phone cameras.
Only a psychopath would delight in marring a family’s wedding reception. Those creeps should be medically examined for their psychopathic and sociopath behavior. Prosecute them, fine them to the hilt, bill them for the entire cost of wedding receptions and other events they ruined. If they haven’t already resigned from the club , then hold a membership vote on whether to expel the SOBs.
Undoubtedly, their firms, business partners, and boards of directors are considering reputation damage-control and re-examining the value, if any, of having an out of control sociopath representing their firm and clients on any level.
I have witnessed decades of outrageous behavior ignored by the club management and staff. It is imperative for the Piedmont Driving Club to assure the members and guests that the dreadful era of allowing crude and drunken behavior of others to disrupt our social affairs at the club is finally over.
Benito
June 1st, 2012
12:28 pm
@PDC Member: That’s the spirit play it down. And certainly it isn’t that bad is it? Do this for me re-read the entire piece and substitute every instance of PDC with Cherokee, Capital City Club or other similar establishment. And then tell me if you as a member of PDC wouldn’t judge the reputation of another club. You could tell me that you wouldn’t judge them, but I wouldn’t believe you.
The fact is that this is not a the Pink Pony or some venue for adult entertainment, it is a country club where people take their family and children. Personally, I believe this stuff because who in the world would make it up?
While I disagree with you, the real problem is not you, it’s your friends like Ronzul and his terrible attitude. Sadly, he is not alone is his classless method of flaunting his money and assumed stature within the community. I’m delighted for him that he has money, but guess what, you can’t take it with you when you pass on. Actually, with that kind of attitude, people like him will find a way to ruin their own lives. I’ll wish him luck, but I have serious doubts as to how successful he’ll be in avoiding his inevitable downfall.
roger davenport
June 1st, 2012
12:29 pm
This is so unfortunate and sad
Hillbilly D
June 1st, 2012
12:31 pm
Whatever people do at some hoity toity club doesn’t really matter. One thing to keep in mind though is that people at clubs like these are usually the “best and brightest” and the folks making the inside decisions in their community that affect us all. No wonder things are in such a mess.
tom antioch
June 1st, 2012
12:35 pm
How is the golf course holding up?
Julius Robinson, Esq.
June 1st, 2012
12:36 pm
Word around the camp fire is that these guys may get death penalty–EXPULSION.
Clark
June 1st, 2012
12:47 pm
Surprised?! If I woke up tomorrow morning with my head sewed to the carpet, I wouldn’t be any more surprised than I am right now. (Eyes roll).
Last Word
June 1st, 2012
12:47 pm
Where’s the OUTRAGE?!!!
Clearly, these fine, upstanding pillars of Atlanta society were OVERSERVED!
Where are the bartenders and beer cart girls responsible?
OFF WITH THEIR HEADS!
jd rascal
June 1st, 2012
12:53 pm
was anyone harmed?
Joe
June 1st, 2012
12:54 pm
I heard it’s all true and they left out he good stuff…when a guy passed out another dude Danza slapped him with his junk (to let him know he was the boss).
Seriously true.
Julius Robinson, Esq.
June 1st, 2012
12:57 pm
Clark,
I thought you were in the Navy!
Right on Last Word!
It’s those club-sized pours of 4 ounces a click that are to blame. Poor boys were taken advantage of by heavy handed bar tenders.
Fellow members, say good bye to those Roadie Cups!
Mark
June 1st, 2012
1:05 pm
Enter your comments here
Julius Robinson, Esq.
June 1st, 2012
1:06 pm
Slapped him with his junk?
Wow…remake the scene from Caddy Shack where they bet if Spaulding picks his nose and eats it.
(Scene)
“$5 says the big guy slaps the one that’s passed out in his face with his D–%*#$!”
“You’re on!”
“$10 says he swallows!”
Whole new meanings to Member-Member and the “imbedded ball” rule.
Mark
June 1st, 2012
1:16 pm
Someone said the bad behavior was new money. That was obviously someone joking, or a member saying something to take a jab at outsiders.
Anyone who’s a member knows three of the suspended members are legacy Pdc, old Atlanta. The names aren’t a secret stuff gets out. I have friends in Charlotte texting me “hey heard so and so got membership suspended” names are consistent with Atlanta rumors.
Who cares really. If this didn’t go viral, most members I know would just chuckle an say “well that’s just our member/member” cost of doin business for the atl. Social elite.
Mark
June 1st, 2012
1:21 pm
Pdc member your an idiot. If you are a member, congratulation on your accomplishment.
How do you know all that stuff didn’t happen? You on every hole? I guess someone’s just out to get your little club, huh?
Mark
June 1st, 2012
1:23 pm
Drose, you must not know many Pdc members.
Julius Robinson, Esq.
June 1st, 2012
1:26 pm
Memo to All Private Club Managers
Scheduling a private function like a rehearsal dinner in the same building on the same night as the Member-Member is like scheduling a Bar-mitzvah next door to a Louis Farrakhan dinner.
Oy-vey!