Struggling City and County Golf Courses have Officials Concerned with a Lack of Revenue

Dear Community Golf Fan,

Welcome to Reading the Green 2015 Vol.3; a four times a year, golf related brief, that focuses on improving the viability of City and County golf facilities in Flordia. Staples Golf Resource Group is a design and development consultancy that has served communities like yours for the past 13 years.

The purpose of our communication is to afford you an informed perspective in the areas of Resource Management, Trends in the Industry, and Creative Usage for Golf Facilities. Cities, counties, and park districts that are looking to make their courses more viable through master planning, renovation projects, and irrigation improvements have found our perspectives helpful.Irrigation Renovations; Doing more with Less.

Older golf course irrigation systems are an obvious concern for course operators. Using more water than necessary, especially in areas where droughts are increasing, is wasteful and expensive. Most operators realize that something needs to be done, but the lack of viable options is a common problem. How can you shore up usage without spending the $2,000,000+ it may cost to replace an entire 18 hole irrigation system?

Take a look at this article… As you can see, the explanation on modern sprinkler heads, and where and why it matters to overall cost, is spelled out pretty well. The industry's one-size-fits-allmentality is not the only way to accomplish a project. There are other avenues to save water and get a new system while not breaking the bank. And yes; using modern sprinklers without opting to add more hardware, will result in much more efficient watering (and of course, long-term, bottom-line savings).

Attracting Golfers with Disabilities Increases Course Exposure

You may be aware that the 2010 ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) was updated in 2012, but did you know that it now covers all golf course facilities? Can you imagine a golfer with disabilities showing up at your course, only to find out it’s not accessible? Capitalizing on this opportunity is very important, so please check out how to get there if the relevant changes to your facility have not been addressed.

A great way to take your community’s level of appreciation beyond simply complying with the law, is to support the “World’s Largest Golf Outing” with your course’s participation. The Wounded Warriors Project with Billy Casper Golf, puts on this great event once a year. If you haven’t heard about it, it’s day where numerous golf courses across the country hold a massive tournament dedicated to raising money for our injured service men and woman, and their families.

Since its inception in 2011, it has continually raised more money than the previous year. And while joining this specific event isn't guaranteed to each course due to logistical limitations, holding your own version of the tournament at your community course is encouraged! The date for the 2015 event is Monday, August 3rd.

The Zero Waste Park; What is that?!

“Golf course sustainability” is a term that’s mentioned far more than seriously implemented. But for GCSAA member Josh Heptic, the Director of Golf at San Luis Obispo County, golf course sustainability is more than a mere ideal. His concept, the Zero Waste Park at Dairy Creek Golf Course in SLO, is doing some pretty neat things and it’s starting to get noticed.

The idea? To operate a golf course that has as close to zero waste as possible. The park creates a place where non-golfers can witness how golf courses are taking the initiative to reduce their environmental footprint and overall costs. It’s also a great place for school field trips where kids can learn first-hand about sustainability in action.

Two highlights from the effort include the exploration of converting fat oils and grease from the restaurant into biofuels to run their equipment, and allowing sheep to graze on the rough to reduce maintenance and re-establish native vegetation. While Josh understands it’s not feasible for all courses to do everything he’s doing at Dairy Creek, he hopes Zero Waste Park will inspire other courses to implement whatever they can to be more sustainable.

Energy Efficiency Rebates

Utility companies in Florida are offering energy efficiency rebates. These money saving opportunities often go underutilized. Here's a great resource on Florida incentives for renewables and efficiency. What does your course qualify for?

For those of you in the Florida Power & Light Co. regions, their Industry Resources provide information on how your energy is being used, and how you can save money. Is it possible there's equipment at your golf facilities that could be updated? Other utility companies offer similar programs.

If any of these thoughts have you thinking of forwarding this email, please do so and cc us in the process. Great decisions start with open ended dialog amongst willing parties. Let’s start a positive, open dialog today.


Sincerely,

Andy Staples, ASGCA
Founder, President, Staples Golf Resource Group