The latest annual Industry Report from the National Golf Foundation found that 23 million people hit golf balls at golf-entertainment facilities like Topgolf and Drive Shack, plus indoor simulators and driving ranges, making off-course participation almost as large as traditional golf numbers.
Options Weighed for RedGate GC
(Photo by Glynis Kazanjian, Bethesda magazine) Athletic fields, an arboretum and housing are among the possible uses being considered for the Rockville, Md. property, which closed at the end of 2018 after Billy Casper Golf terminated its operating lease three years early. The city is also awaiting a report commissioned from the National Golf Foundation…
National Golf Foundation Issues Golf Media Report
The report examined the widespread reach of golf media and took a closer look at those who engage with the game on TV, in print and online. It found that one in four Americans—82 million people in total—consumed some sort of golf media in 2017. The National Golf Foundation (NGF), the trade organization that works with…
Hitting the Moving Targets
As club membership diversifies and club activities continue to expand, club communication strategies must also widen to cover all informational outlets and preferences. Addison Reserve CC’s new website (pictured) was designed with simplicity in mind, emphasizing easy navigation between pages and video vignettes, including a video overview of the property on the home page. …
Offers Sought for Private Operation of Utah Courses
Following direction from the state legislature, requests for proposals are being solicited by the Division of Parks and Recreation for a 10-year lease agreement to operate four courses, including the popular 36-hole Wasatch Mountain property, along with the Soldier Hollow, Palisade and Green River venues. Interested parties must make formal site visits between October 17-19…
More Clubs Serve Up Healthier Dishes from Their Kitchens
As more golfers and members move away from steak-and-potato entrees, club chefs are fielding more requests for healthier menu options. Clubs are also offering more seafood and locally sourced seasonal food options in response to member preferences and changing membership demographics. Servers at the Bala Golf Club in Philadelphia were the first to see the…
Group Formed for Tech-Focused Golf Ventures
Brett Campbell, co-founder of workplace automation software vendor Nintex, has formed Overload Golf Ventures to raise $25 million from high-net worth investors, including golf course owners and other golf executives, for its first fund. Other partners in the firm include Austin Fazio, son of course architect Tom Fazio. Much of the fund’s initial focus will…
Full Privatization Considered for Lawrence (N.Y.) Yacht & CC
The Village of Lawrence’s Board of Trustees is listening to pitches from many different leading management companies for taking over the club’s operations. The village privatized the club’s golf course maintenance operations in 2012 and realized significant savings. The possible privatization of the village-owned and -operated Lawrence (N.Y.) Yacht & Country Club was the focus…
Ohio Town’s Mayor Proposes Buying Raintree CC for $3.3M
The Mayor of Green, Ohio has worked out a nonbinding purchase agreement for the property with its owner and will introduce legislation to city council to acquire the 145-acre site. Mayor Gerard Neugebauer said his main goal isn’t to get the city into the municipal golf club business, but to preserve the property as green…
Mammoth Success
Mike Keiser and his family members are playing an increasingly influential role in the game of golf. And keeping their glass more than half-full in the process. Is golf’s glass half-full, or half-empty? Readers of the recently released Annual Golf Industry Report from the National Golf Foundation (NGF) will tell you that, despite the ongoing…
Club Owner Buys Third Course—To Either Farm It or Sell It
Stan Richards, owner of Albany GC and Blackford GC in Indiana, has purchased Lakeview Greens GC in Eaton, Ind., but work now being done on the 54-year-old rural property indicates it is either being plowed under for agriculture or to prepare it for housing development. Richards told a local newspaper he will either farm or…
NFL Star Stays Loyal to Hometown’s Sand-Green Course
Wide receiver Jordy Nelson, who was Aaron Rodgers’ favorite target during his 10 years with the Green Bay Packers and is now with the Oakland Raiders, still conducts his charity golf tournament at a nine-hole, sand-green course in his hometown of Leonardville, Kan. While courses with sand greens are easier and less costly to maintain,…
New Golf Industry Report Shows Encouraging Numbers
The latest comprehensive report from the National Golf Foundation found that golf’s participation base remains stable at 23.8 million, and another 8.3 million played exclusively off-course at facilities like Topgolf. The number of non-golfers who said they are “very interested” in playing at a golf course hit a new measured high at 14.9 million, a…
Former Springwood GC Set to Reopen as Bridgewater GC
The rebranded York, Pa., club will be part of a new Bridgewater Community and will feature a newly redesigned and renovated nine-hole course. The developer, Keystone Custom Homes, has contracted with Bridgewater Golf Club and Daniel Baker, PGA, to manage the golf operations, and with a local restaurant operator to run the clubhouse and dining…
Decisions Reached for Detroit, Florida Municipals
The Detroit City Council broke an earlier deadlock to award a two-year contract for the Chandler Park, Rackham and Rouge Park courses to a new management firm, Signet Golf Associates II. In Brevard County, Fla., commissioners took steps to continue with the transfer of The Savannahs course on Merritt Island to a homeowners’ association, and of The Habitat and Spessard Holland courses to a new non-profit organization of local residents called Golf Brevard.