Talked with a friend that is a long time pro and resident of MB - we discussed the closing of courses - he feels that in the future less courses will be needed as the younger generation doesn't play golf. He sees it in the package play at his place now - groups are older with some that have been coming for 30 + years. Because of age (and death) the groups are getting smaller. He doesn't see many groups coming that are young - like we were when coming to MB in the 80's and 90's. The discussion started because I felt the courses will be getting even busier with old the retirees coming down (like me) that play golf. I hope the younger gen will take up golf as they get older - and I hope that courses quit closing in MB
Golf is just an excuse to drink whiskey and smoke cigars
Golf rounds fell sharply during the Recession. As the economy has improved, the numbers of golf rounds have not bounced back yet. Some elders lost a part their retirement savings during the recession. Somes do not have enough money to spend on golf. The younger generation- the Millennials- are not attract by golf. Too much expensive and too time consuming. It is devastating for this sport.
''It's just golf, let's have fun''
It's not just MB. Here in the Canton area two courses (one a 36 hole facility) have closed in the last three months. Another is scheduled to close after 2019. The course I work at part-time has picked up 11 new golf leagues for this year and membership is also going up. We will be busy!
I sold my course in Waco for housing in 2004, another public facility there closed a couple of years ago - and the remaining courses are still not busy except for the city course and the one private club.
Golf is just an excuse to drink whiskey and smoke cigars
Heard Possum Trot next to fall!
Also Azelea Sands.
The good economy is good for golf. The downside is land is needed for development. Golf courses in the Grandstrand are prime targets for those developments. Especially with limited land available(near the coast). I am no expert but, I could see 20 more courses closing over the next decade.
A lot depends on if the new MB housing developments are more for the growth of the
regular MB population or if a lot of it is for a lot of golfer retirees. Are there more golfers
moving/retiring to MB than MB residents who are aging out of playing golf?
Younger generations may still be playing golf, but just not as a primary hobby/sport like
older generations, so that will mean fewer rounds and being less likely to take package
golf trips.
The premium courses down to the mid-level courses are still popular with packages.
The lower level courses are more popular with Passport players and senior residents.
Courses like Heather Glen, were the owner wanted to retire, may still close for a good deal.
Courses that are not maintained well enough to be popular at low rates may have no choice
but to sell out.
If package play declines, some premium courses may have to lower their standards some so
they can lower rates, kinda like what Legends has done. Here at home some $100 courses
failed, got bought at a good price by a new owner or the county, who hire a management
company like Casper. The result is a nice $40 weekday, $60 weekend course, with less
amenities.
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Herdman. I hope you’re wrong but I wouldn’t be surprised by 10 more biting the dust
Golf is just an excuse to drink whiskey and smoke cigars
Herdman. I hope you’re wrong but I wouldn’t be surprised by 10 more biting the dust
We were talking at Panthers Run in the pro shop and the guy told us he wouldn’t be surprised if 20 more closed. Younger guys just aren’t playing golf. They’ll go to TopGolf but they won’t go play a round.
Herdman. I hope you’re wrong but I wouldn’t be surprised by 10 more biting the dust
We were talking at Panthers Run in the pro shop and the guy told us he wouldn’t be surprised if 20 more closed. Younger guys just aren’t playing golf. They’ll go to TopGolf but they won’t go play a round.
It is hard to get enough guys to go on a package now. And, let's be honest the younger guys have different priorities. It is no longer hey honey watch they kids while I go on a golf trip to myrtle for a week. Families now go to the grocery store together and the man doesn't disappear for 5 hours to go play golf.
In addition the land is more valuable to build on and enough money will talk. It has happened everywhere that is seeing growth. Come to Raleigh NC/Triangle area and the same thing. Many courses closed and are now housing or some kind of development.
I will never visit Top Golf or whatever the hell it's called.
That's the Wal-Mart of golf.
Gonna kill the sport.
These kids see that crap on TV and think that is real golf.
Sucks that one is (allegedly) coming to MB.
I can picture younger groups coming to MB on a buddy trip and setting one day aside to go Top Golfing.
And that would be effed up.
Boycott that crap guys.
jw11
"King Of The Mid-tiers"
JW - not allegedly - it's almost ready to open. I see a lot of the older golfers going there in the evening - especially if they aren't chasing a non golf activity at night. Plenty of food and drink - and games to gamble on. Perhaps it will open up real golf to the younger generation - or perhaps not.
Golf is just an excuse to drink whiskey and smoke cigars
We're going but it is not displacing golf. It may displace another non-golf related activity that costs far more than TopGolf!!!!! So it's a money saver for us.
Herdman you saying i not a man cause i grocery shop with my wife? Golf doesn't need to be 5 hours away, i didn't have a family to not be with them, this is 21st century. things are different now, i do get what you are saying but people are allowed to look at things different. In SWPA are little corner has a nice population of young golfers and our courses do a lot to keep them interested.
On vacation i do my golf and enjoy but i am not gone all day.
Let the Big Dawg Bark!!!
