The organization’s efforts this year included offering a passport book with preferred rates that not only got players onto courses, but also generated $3,500 for the South Carolina Junior Golf Foundation, and the purchase of six golf carts that members could use at no charge. The cart-share plan worked so well that plans for 2017 include the purchase of a stump grinder, a wood chipper and a root pruner that, again, member courses can use at no charge.
The rejuvenated Midlands Golf Course Owners Association adopted an age-old philosophy to cooperate with competitors so that “a rising tide floats all boats,” and results of the plan paid dividends in its first year, the Columbia, S.C., State reported.
“Hopefully, this is just the start,” said president Greg McBride. “Working together is a win-win for the owners and the players. Courses reduce expenses, and players get improved conditions.”
The year’s success story included increased sales of the organization’s passport book that offered preferred rates, and the purchase of six golf carts members could use at no charge. The passport books not only got players onto courses, but also generated $3,500 for the South Carolina Junior Golf Foundation. The golf carts saved clubs untold dollars, the State reported.
“Look at it this way,” said McBride, professional at The Spur at Northwoods Golf Club in Columbia. “If a club has an event and needs extra carts, it’s about $1,000 to rent 10 carts and have them trucked in from Augusta. Our members can use our carts at no charge and add 12 more players.”
The cart-share plan worked so well that plans for 2017 include the purchase of a stump grinder, a wood chipper and a root pruner that, again, member courses can use at no charge, the State reported.
“Equipment like that is the first thing to get cut in figuring budgets,” McBride said. “Now, for $150 (membership dues), clubs will have use of equipment they would have to rent for far more.”
Course owners see the logic, and membership is on the rise. Down to 11 at the start of last year from a one-time high of 24, the organization added two clubs in 2016, and McBride expects 17 or 18 will be in the fold for 2017, the State reported.
“One owner told me, ‘you have a good thing going; just send me the bill’ for dues,” McBride said. “We’ve also had interest from the Aiken area.
“It’s no secret that the boom of a few years ago is over and some clubs are struggling,” McBride said. “The initial rationale for a struggling club is, ‘I’ll battle by myself.’ I won’t tell anyone what to charge, but saving money on things like golf carts and maintenance equipment helps the bottom line, and the result is good for everybody. We spend (the association’s) money to benefit the group.”
Among initiatives in the coming year will be added emphasis on junior golf. A tournament is already scheduled for the Members Club’s Woodcreek course, and another is planned for a start-up to the high school spring season, the State reported.
“The tournament will be open to team and individual play,” McBride said. “Coaches will have the opportunity to see how players compete under tournament conditions, and at the same time we hope we’re developing golfers for the future.
“We have some momentum, and if we keep going like we have been, everybody wins.”
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