Staples, Couples, Trevino, Colbert, Gulibs

Grg Client,

Welcome to the latest installment of the Staples Golf Quarterly – a look back over the last 90 days, discussing what we saw, what we learned, and what may be in store for the golf biz in the very near future.

When looking back over the past 3 months, I’m thinking of the value of diversification, being nimble and looking for new partnership opportunities. In my mind, the future of the design business will depend on these principles, and I find that exciting.

What do Fred Couples, Lee Trevino, Jim Colbert, and Natalie Gulbis have in common?

They’ve all played Rockwind Community Links!  Yes, we finally had our opening and the City of Hobbs was gracious enough to roll out the red carpet to their citizens by having some of golf’s most noted celebrities at the opening! We were followed around by a reality TV-style camera crew to gather all the day's events (with, of course, the intention of making a cool YouTube video).

If you’re interested, please check out some of the Grand Opening videos posted below…
Community Links Taking Hold??

Our conversations about shifting the way a golf course is viewed within the community is being openly embraced and under considerable review at 6 separate golf courses; one in Utah, two more in New Mexico, and three in Northern California.

It’s also worth noting we’re having many exploratory conversations throughout the country from Michigan to Washington to Texas. We couldn’t be more encouraged. We’re gaining some momentum with Rockwind, so be on the lookout for news articles about Community Links in Hobbs. We plan to report back to the golf world on the results they are seeing!  

Precision Mapping Leads to Water Savings

I’ve recently been able to expand efforts on a Precision Mapping service that focuses on utilizing moisture meters to reduce water and energy use, which is helping to facilitate true fast and firm conditions on the golf course. Tim Cloninger, superintendent of Shadow Creek in Las Vegas, myself, and my good friend Patrick Burton, ASGCA Associate, have teamed up to take the idea of a water reduction program to a whole new level!

Our goal is to reduce usage by 30%, and be the industry leader in addressing this serious water issue. You may all have heard about the drought in California, but the lack of irrigation water is a story unfolding across many other parts of the country.

Chambers Bay and the US Open

I was lucky enough to get up to Chambers Bay earlier this month to get firsthand the “lay of the land” on the course that will play host to the 2015 US Open. It’s going to be an interesting tournament, the first of its kind that combines 100% fescue turf (like courses in the UK) and a US Open course set-up with tight fairways and a premium on hitting to specific locations.

My impressions are two-fold; first, I’m excited at another opportunity for golf to showcase less-than-green conditions, which promotes sustainability in the truest sense of the word. Second, I’m cautiously optimistic that the sustainability of the course set-up remains the focus, rather than the potential dissatisfaction from Tour Pro’s. I can tell you, I’m anxiously awaiting Father’s Day Sunday to see the outcome, and also looking forward to making it back up there soon!

Videos

Quick interview on the Uniqueness of Rockwind Community Links-

Fred at the Grand Opening Press Conference-

Trevino Tears up Par 3, Hole 10 at Rockwind-

Natalie Gulbis Quick Clip-
In closing, I have to reference a comment that Mayor Sam Cobb of Hobbs said many times during Rockwind’s opening; “We think that golf is going to see a resurgence in this country!” I love this quote and his clear vision of the success in Hobbs!

It’s a message we all need to start visualizing ourselves. It reminds me of that great Jack Nicklaus quote; “I never hit a shot, not even in practice, without having a very sharp, in-focus picture of it in my head.”

May your own visions begin to take hold! Best of luck to you over the next 90 days.

-Andy Staples