From the CEO
A Glimpse Into Golf of the Future
One needed to look no further than the exhibition floor at the recent PGA Merchandise Show to feel the changing winds in golf. To say I was impressed with the products in the marketplace today — and those in development — would be an understatement. I found my head nodding and eyebrows rising with what some technology companies are working on to generate demand. It’s very encouraging.
Cover Stories and Features
Kingsway dreams take flight
In a quarterly financial report last October, Allegiant Travel Co. said it added eight Airbus A320 series aircraft to its fleet, and two additional Airbus jets were expected to be acquired by year-end 2018. To be sure, aircraft acquisitions are routine news announcements for publicly traded airline companies like Allegiant Air.
Final Thoughts with Joe Cunningham
What are your thoughts about how the golf industry has long been singled out in the tax code as a “sin industry” unworthy of disaster relief or economic stimulus legislation in the past?
The Art Of The Owner
Art dealer Sally Waranch turned around her golf course and saved her father’s legacy
Staying Ahead of the Curve
Strategic planning for golf resort renovation is complex and challenging, with a myriad of factors to consider and implement. Creativity and vision are intangible yet critical elements that can make a lasting difference, as many resorts and destinations are discovering.
Case Studies
Call ’Em Like We See ’Em
When we first started this Coalition, we set out to do three things, in general: educate, act as an ombudsman on behalf of the golf course, and develop guidelines and standards that give an idealistic view of what the relationship between golf courses and vendors should look in a most golf-course-friendly fashion.
Can You Join $6B Settlement Claim?
If your golf course accepted credit cards anytime between Jan. 1, 2004, and Nov. 28, 2012, you may be eligible to share in the $6 billion class action settlement against Visa U.S.A. Inc. (“Visa”) and MasterCard International Inc. (“MasterCard”).
Two Operators, Two Questions
What are the biggest challenges to developing a solid junior golf program?
Micro Trends Continue to Make Macro Gains
The signs are everywhere. Walk into the restaurant or bar at almost any club in America today and chances are better than average that a local microbrewery will have a presence. In many cases, the owner of one of the beers on tap also has a regular tee time on Tuesday morning, which makes it much easier to manage inventory and lodge quality complaints.
Happy Work, Happy Life
When Nashville resident Brooks West told his friends he was buying a golf course, the response was exactly what those in the industry would expect.
Maybe You Can Reinvent the Wheel
On the eve of this year’s PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, the 17th Annual PGA Show Demo Day at Orange County National Golf Center & Lodge looked like so many other Demo Days of winter’s past. The weather was sunny and picturesque as PGA Professionals pounded ball after ball and tested the latest golf equipment, training gadgets and anything else that could fit in a golf bag.
Time to Modernize
Change isn’t always easy. When it comes to golf, there is a gap between modern technology and old thinking. Some boards are skeptical that a modern solution will make things better at their course. They may not believe the costs are worth it.
It’s All About the People
Imagine on Monday, you discover that your meticulous, rule-following accountant and creative, eccentric marketing person have switched positions. How’s this likely to work out? In truth, some variation of this misalignment is common in most organizations.
Living on Tourney Time
The budget forecast at Waterchase Golf Club in Fort Worth, Texas, pegs annual green-fee revenue from outside tournaments at approximately $325,000 — about a quarter of total income from golf play. A profitable year thus calls upon General Manager Jason Heitschmidt and his team to do great work servicing this category. But that doesn’t mean every outside group is a proper fit for Waterchase.
Up Close and Personal
Women’s Golf Day Translates to Revenue and Growth
As a course owner, manager or head pro, you are constantly bombarded with a To Do list that never ends in order to keep customers happy as well as grow your business. In the U.S., 50 percent of the population is female, yet only around 27 percent play golf. The female consumer is not only an area for growth in our industry, but often the decision maker in the family. We are actively creating and fostering the biggest growth opportunity for our own livelihood by investing in women and children
NGCOA News
Global “Shark Tank” for Golf Debuts at PGA Show
One of the most fascinating events coming out of January’s PGA Merchandise Show at the Orlando Convention Center wasn’t a product or an exhibit. It was a reality show.