ASGCA Study Provides Insight on Business Issues at Golf Facilities

Results reveal increased activity among architects, optimism among facility operators and payoff of capital expenditures

(BROOKFIELD, Wis.) – Golf course superintendents and general managers agree that topping the “wish list” for their golfers are a dedicated short game practice/learning area and enhanced practice range. That is just one result of the “Golf Facility Market Trend Watch” report, commissioned by the American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA) and conducted by Sports & Leisure Research Group (SLRG). Results were publicly released at the 2018 Golf Industry Show in San Antonio.

The online survey, conducted and analyzed in fall 2017, was distributed to more than 40,000 people, including ASGCA members, and subscribers of By Design and Golf Course Industry magazines. Respondents included golf course architects, superintendents, general managers, facility owners/operators, golf professionals and industry leaders.

“This research highlights the reinvestment being made in golf facilities everywhere,” ASGCA President John Sanford said. “Results match what ASGCA members are seeing in the field; namely, that the greatest project volume over the past two years is from master planning, turf reduction and bunker renovations. Renovation projects continue to keep our members busy, at home and overseas.”

“There is strong data in this report,” said Jon Last, SLRG founder and president. “This provides a benchmark across the industry that future studies will be compared to as we see the golf business continue to evolve.”

Facility renovations, a major source of growth for all aspects of the industry in recent years, including ASGCA members, continues to generate positive results. More than 80% of facilities report high satisfaction for recent renovation work. More than half of all golf course architects have seen increased renovation work over the past two years, and that same amount expect the trend to continue.

Club operators at both public and private facilities agree their biggest challenges are competition for customers’ leisure time, as well as maintenance costs. When those costs are broken down, it is clear that labor costs are the most significant impact on a facility’s financial health.

For more information about ASGCA, including a current list of members, log on to the ASGCA website at http://www.asgca.org or call (262) 786-5960.