Hi Todd,
I am in total agreement with you, there is nothing finer to stand on the tee of a par 5 & rip it down the centre with a little draw or play a par 3 & watch the ball hit the green & suck back three or four feet from the cup.
Like you & many others I have a passion for the game, I even tried the pay for play ranks, now I just own my own company & sell the equipment & play occasionally.
Remember GRIP IT & RIP IT.