By Bob Bridge, Times-Mail
bob@tmnews.com
BEDFORD - Richmond officials recently closed the city's 85-year-old Glen Miller Golf Course. Parks officials said growing deficits left them no choice.
From Evansville to Elkhart, golf course managers are struggling to make ends meet.
"I just got back from a PGA show," said Jason Calhoun, former pro at Otis Park who now serves in a similar capacity at Bloomington's Cascades course. "An official there said during the mid-1990's new ground was broken on at least one golf course each day. Now, more than 1.5 courses are filing bankruptcy per day."
Developers, determined to capitalize on the Tiger Woods wave of popularity, designed and opened a large volume of venues.
"There are a lot of golf courses out there now and dollars have to be shared," said Priscilla Dillow, former director of Indiana Golf Course Owners Association. "It's a good situation for the consumer, but it's difficult for those trying to turn a profit."
The National Golf Foundation reports golfers played about 498 million rounds in 2007. That number dropped about 8 million, or 1.6 percent, through the end of November. To complicate matters, maintenance costs continue to increase.
Calhoun doesn't believe the sport lacks potential patrons.
"Golfers simply have more things to do now," he explained. "There are still a lot of golfers out there. We just don't see as many who are playing three or four times a week.
"I'm a golf pro and I don't play as often as I would like to play. I've got three kids. That keeps me very busy. A lot of parents are running their children from one event to the next."
Dillow said the smaller "mom-and-pop" courses have been especially challenged by the glut of golf venues.
"They've been struggling to compete against city or municipal courses," she explained. "They have to pay property taxes, while municipal courses do not."
Joe Scalf, golf manager at Paoli Country Club, said play has fallen off at his venue, but not necessarily because of competition or the economic downturn.
"Some of our problem was course maintenance," he explained. "When people pay money to play they expect the course to be in good shape. We're in the process of changing ownership here and maintenance is going to have a higher priority."
Judy and Jerry Stevens opened Cedar Valley in 1992. The venue, just west of Ind. 37 between Mitchell and Bedford, is now for sale.
"Our play has been down just a little," Judy said. "We've lost a few memberships, but a lot of those people still play here. They just have decided to play other places as well."
Judy said the market wasn't the pivotal factor in deciding to sell the course.
"Jerry and I are getting older," she explained. "We think it's a great opportunity for some younger people. This course has a lot to offer."
Dillow said creativity and innovation are the keys to surviving during trying economic times. With golfers playing fewer rounds and some choosing to walk rather that rent carts, the development of additional revenue sources is paramount.
"Like with any other business, it's going to come down to survival of the fittest," Dillow said. "You're going to see a lot of courses and clubs making better use of their facilities for non-sports events. Wedding receptions, reunions and other group activities can provide valuable income."
Calhoun said course managers need to retool their strategies.
"We have three courses here in Bloomington, and Cascades would be the economical choice of the three," he explained. "People are looking to get as much value as they can out of their recreational dollars. I'm sure a lot of courses are looking at hours of operation and exactly what services they can afford to provide. I know people don't like to deviate from the norm, but sometimes change is necessary."
Stevens said Cedar Valley would probably offer a new rate structure in the spring.
"One of the things we're considering is different levels of membership," she explained. "We're also considering specials, like $18 for 18 holes on Tuesdays. We also are encouraging outings. People can play here before heading off to a reunion or reception."
Scalf said Paoli would probably cut fees to attract new golfers.
"We also have a bar and restaurant here," he noted. "We'd like to attract even more events. We're planning on wedding receptions, school reunions and birthday parties."
Otis Park also has felt the pinch of stiff competition. Though participation was down in 2008, city officials compensate by developing new revenue streams. Rentals of the Red Brick, Otis Bath House and Band Shell, plus the municipal pool and city shelter houses brought much needed dollars to the till.
"We ended up with only one open date at the pool this summer," explained Amber McIntyre, office manager for the Bedford Parks Department. "The Red Brick was used primarily for wedding receptions and graduation parties, while the shelter house at Otis was popular for birthday parties and gatherings."
McIntyre said Wilson Park, a favorite for family reunions, already is booked for most weekends from May through August.
"We also are incorporating those facilities into a lot of our new parks programming," she explained. "I think the most amazing thing is the band shell. Rentals for that facility have more than doubled since 2006."
Stevens said most courses cultivate a group of die-hard patrons.
"We have a local bunch of golfers who really enjoy playing here," she explained. "They're almost like part of our family. It's a very peaceful setting here at Cedar Valley, and good place to relax. I hope people are playing golf here for a long time."