No one can change the weather, but anyone can take advantage of it.
The persistent, spring-like temperatures in the eastern two-thirds of the country in the final weeks of 2006 made this the United States’ fourth warmest December on record, according to the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Mother Nature’s generosity fit Eastern golfers to a tee, blessing properties with increased overall revenues. Unseasonably warm, dry weather in December brought a 689-percent rise in projected golf rounds to the year-round Rocky Gap Lodge Golf Resort in Cumberland, Md.
The western Maryland course hosted more than 700 rounds in December, says General Manager Steele Edwards, while golfers normally play about 100 rounds there during that month. “It’s been just fantastically rewarding,” says Edwards.
December revenues are about $175,000 over budget for the 216-room property, which also has a 243-acre lake, a spa, meeting space, an activity center and outdoor adventure activities.
Golf revenues were up by about 25 percent; food and beverage income increased approximately 20 percent; and room reservations accounted for the remaining rise in revenues.
“I’m just hoping that this goes all the way through (the winter) because that will give us a good start on the first quarter of 2007,” says Edwards.
A Chilling Effect
Extreme bouts of weather have had a different effect on business in the West.
Cold temperatures and four straight weeks of snow made golfers scarce at Pinehurst Country Club in Denver, says General Manager Cheryl Rook. In mid-January, she adds, 28 inches of snow covered the greens.
This prolonged cold also put a deep freeze on Pinehurst’s food and beverage business. Rook says dinner revenues are down about 15 to 20 percent this winter, and lunchtime income has been cut in half.
“People get out of the habit of coming to the club during the day,” she notes. However, the club, which has a “pared-down staff” in the winter, has not had to reduce its food and beverage workforce, she says.
The Mile High City had its third snowiest December on record, according to NOAA, even though December temperatures were 1.4 degrees warmer than the average temperatures recorded between 1971 and 2000.
“We’ve had snow coverage on the course since December 20. It’s basically been unplayable since then,” notes Jim Shoemaker, General Manager of Meridian Golf Club in Englewood, Colo. While snow is hardly unusual in the Denver suburb, it is rare to have multiple snowstorms so close together. “Normally, even in December and January, you’ll get a number of days in the 50s and even in the 60s.”
Meridian golfers played 700 rounds in January of 2006, but zero rounds last month. However, the lack of play at the private club did not affect overall revenues. Furthermore, any income from winter golf rounds does not offset the expenses of repairing the course in the spring. Those costs exceeded winter revenues by almost $20,000 last year, Shoemaker says.
“Generally, a lot of winter play is bad for courses,” he adds. “Grass is dormant. You can’t generate new growth or seed it again until spring. When you don’t have snow, you don’t have moisture. The snow not only provides the moisture, but it really acts as a blanket and acts as a barrier against the wind.”
John Manley, General Manager of the Portland (Ore.) Golf Club, faced rain in December and snow that stayed on the ground for days in January.
“Weather can be a real issue for golf clubs in the Northwest,” he says. And when golfers cannot get on the course, he adds, they do not come to the property to enjoy other amenities either.
“That makes it hard on your clubhouse activities,” says Manley. “The volume definitely falls off, and it makes it difficult for staffing.”
He says January revenues were about 10 to 15 percent below normal.
“Typically, there are winners and losers when it comes to weather. But it tends to even out over time,” notes Jim Kass, the Research Director of the National Golf Foundation.
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