Muni Golf Rounds Up?

Community Golf Fan,

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Have you seen the reports that Municipal golf rounds are up? This is an extremely welcomed sign, and one that is way past due. We’ve been advocating the benefits of Municipal golf since 2012 and are ecstatic to hear this news! Are you seeing an increase in revenue lately???

As you know, we at Staples Golf speak with Municipal golf stakeholders from coast to coast on a regular basis, and we’d like to share our insights in what we hope will be an enlightening exercise.

Below is a list of 11 questions that if answered in the affirmative at least seven (7) times, demonstrates your golf facility likely has a bright future.

Quiz Questions:

• Deficit – Is your golf facility annually shrinking the size of its year to year deficit, if it has one?
• Management – Are you confident your current facility management practices are proactive and sustainable?
• Utility Costs – Has your golf facility been able to curb water and other utility costs in the face of increasing rates?
• Irrigation – Is your golf course staff curtailing the amount of irrigation issues occurring year to year?
• Turf Quality – Is your golf course consistently increasing turf quality with actionable plans for improvement?
• Revenue – Is your golf facility considering and/ or integrating alternative streams of revenue beyond just golfers?
• Enthusiasm – Does your golf facility enjoy broad enthusiasm from your new and current customers?
• Council – Is your golf facility prioritized as an appreciated asset by most of your municipal decision-makers?
• Community – Is there strong communal sentiment the golf facility property should remain a golf facility for the long haul?
• Demand – Does you golf facility offer a unique and enjoyable experience within a 15-minute drive of the facility?
• A Plan – Does your golf facility have a long-term vision/ plan to address potential areas of weakness?

Of course, this is not a scientific test, nor a guarantee your golf facility will be booming soon if more than seven ‘yeses’ were given, but our experience coupled with sustaining trends, tells us these are the areas that drive healthy community assets. We would encourage you to use this quiz to identify and prioritize any of your golf facility’s weaknesses and act on what’s most important in the short-term, so the long-term is bright! Have a plan, and go grab those rounds!

Here's what you need to know:

• The importance of providing a unique customer experience, cannot be over-stated.
• Day-to-day management practices determine a golf facility’s long-term success or failure.
• Increased sustainable measures should be taking place, especially in the instances of increasing costs.
• A diversified customer-base will continue to be an emerging hedge against revenue short falls.
• The only thing a golf facility can do when facing fierce competition is to positively differentiate itself!

Please remember, we’re around to answer any questions you might have on this topic, or anything else regarding your community golf course! You can send us an email by clicking here, or feel free to give us a ring at the number below.

Until next time,

Andy Staples, ASGCA