If
we listen to the news media we would be getting pretty depressed out
there. I had Tom Peters from the Herald in Halifax call and I think
he was looking for a Gloom and Doom story on the Golf Industry. I
shared with him that last year was a real year of challenge. That
opens the door for a Strong 2009… Fuel
costs are back down where they
should be… the Canadian Dollar is down and
our American Friends can get more for their US dollars.
We as an industry need to come out of the gate dancing for the 2009 season – We need to make sure the courses are in the best condition we can possible have them in - We need to choose staff carefully and provide them with the best training we can.
Make 2009 at your Club all about the Experience – give your members and guests a great Golf Experience each and every time they visit. Choose the level your club is going to be both quality and services wise and make it the best it can be at that level.
We have heard already some courses considering or moving towards discounting
their rates out of fear of what 2009 will bring. I would agree that we
need to be cautious… not a year to go after increases
of significance. Discounting is a slippery slope that
is far too difficult to climb back up.
We are recommending to our clients to consider “Added Value” items that they might be able to include – little touches that make you stand out. Things that are not going to cost you in the long run.
Golfers traditionally in tough times are looking for value and may play higher end golf courses less but will continue to play. Be the best you can be…
Ocean Links – at Brule Point on the North Shore of Nova Scotia is a new 18 hole Robert LeBlanc designed golf course. They are creating a very nice Ocean front course at a 3.5 star level with some 4 star vistas. They are creating a great Vacation Home development around the property strategically positioned with great vistas of the golf course as well as the Ocean.
Aspotogan Ridge – Overlooking St. Margaret’s Bay on the former Mill Cove Forces Base. It is another creatively design Robert LeBlanc Course. It will have a few vistas of the Bay and the Clubhouse will be overlooking a wonderful lake on the property. This project will have a variety of homes strategically positioned around the Golf Course.
Magnetic Hill Golf Club – in Moncton is doing some very nice upgrades to its existing layout with 5 new holes that will bring the course to an overall higher level. It is visible from the Trans Canada and ideally located for the residential around it. Residents have the country feel and yet are just minutes from almost anywhere in Moncton.
The Stonehouse Golf Group – has had the opportunity to work with each of these projects as well as many others and assist them as they worked through the Business Case Analysis. Golf residential is becoming more and more popular as the aging boomers are looking for quality developments for their pre-retirement and retirements. Your course may have some hidden areas of opportunity that you can take advantage up – we can help…
As your Atlantic Canada Golf Industry Update group
we have asked Golf Course Owners and Operators to take a few
minutes and fill out the on-line survey. This information
is critical so that we are able to talk to the different
levels of Government about the Economic Impact the Golf Industry has in
this region.
The number of people that our Industry employs, the millions even hundreds of millions of Economic Impact needs proof to show them. PLEASE – take a few minutes and complete the survey. Many clubs have already done it.
There is the option to have a free overview of the survey results if you participate.
It is just over 10 years ago we were helping out with Golf Nova Scotia and Golf Atlantic Canada the Tourism Marketing groups for the region. We were being told that when it comes to Golf Tourism that we should be focused on the Avid Golfer that comes to our region for a golf vacation. We found there were actually two key markets both important to market to:
The TOURIST who Golfs
This is the person that is coming to visit our area and is encouraged to bring his or her golf clubs along. This is a huge market to increase play in our region and at a wide variety of Tourism Ready golf courses. We presented a plan to the Tourism Departments of the day to “Golfize” the Tourism materials. This is a strategic method of showcasing our great golf product in the Tourism marketing - brochures, on their websites and in their commercials. I remember meeting with the Executive Director of Tourism for Nova Scotia with a Doers & Dreamers guide with sticky tabs on about 24 pages that we felt could have nicely showcased our golf product with photos and mentions. This needs to be done again in all four Provinces.
The GOLFER that Takes a Golf Tour
There is still this market of Avid Golfers that take specific Golf Vacations to destinations with quality golf courses and a little sightseeing while they are there. I went to Germany some time ago selling Atlantic Canada Golf and the appetite was strong for pre-packaged golf vacations to our region. There are quite a few large golf tour operators that would love to sell our product if we could package it in an easy to sell format.
We now definitely have the quality golf product to entice Golfers to the region. Each of our four provinces have a strong group of quality courses that will draw the tourists in and then while they are here they will also play other courses in the area.
Tourism has been challenged of late but if we as an industry can make it as easy as possible for visitors to - either bring their clubs when they are coming anyway - or target our area for a full Golf Vacation of playing many of our great courses – this could be a year to turn it around. Talk to your Tourism people, let them know what you have, provide them with quality digital photography, package yourself with accommodations in the area…
The Stonehouse Golf Group has been providing
golf support services to the industry for 20+ years with the past 15 years right
here in Atlantic Canada. If your Club is needing some help in charting
a new direction, considering renovations or expansion we can assist you with
the information you may need.
We can help
you look at your Golf Club, your markets and your operation from the outside
looking in. Often owners, operators and boards are too close to their own
golf club to see it as their visitors and guests see it.
If you would like us to come and chat about some potential for your Golf Club to assist you to move to the next level just give us a call or click on the link below. Toll Free 866-242-4494 visit our website – StonehouseGolf.ca
