The Road Back: Keeping Golf on Members’ Year-Round “Short List” at Weymouth CC

In this episode of C+RB’s video series, Kevin Maust, PGA, Head Golf Professional at Weymouth CC in Medina, Ohio, describes how the Arcis Golf property has transformed a 10-acre practice range into a 9-hole short course that gives members the opportunity to extend play throughout the winter months. The course has already proved to be a popular attraction, with 50 members using it over Thanksgiving weekend for family play, and there are plans to use it for winter “Skins” games as well as alternative play, even during the busiest parts of the year.

“The Road Back” video series from Club + Resort Business provides fresh insights into how club and resort properties are meeting the challenges posed by the pandemic and finding new and innovative ways to boost business levels and start their return to full operation.

This episode features “The Orchard,” a new short course created at Weymouth Country Club, an Arcis Golf property in Medina, Ohio, to generate a better opportunity for members to enjoy year-round golf. Like many clubs in colder climates, Weymouth has seen golf activity slow considerably over the winter months, with only the most die-hard members still electing to walk the course and hit balls, even with greens closed so they can’t log full rounds.

But this year, the club transformed its practice range to create The Orchard as a 9-hole short course with holes ranging from 48 to 106 yards. As the club’s Head Golf Professional, Kevin Maust, PGA, describes, the course, built on about 10 acres, was an immediate hit, with 50 members coming out to use it on Thanksgiving weekend for an inaugural, family-oriented Black Friday event, even though temperatures were in the 40s.

Maust describes plans to use the course for “Skins” games and other events as the winter permits, while also being prepared to designate it for alternative play, even during the busiest parts of the year. “[The course will let members] pick up their bag and walk a quick nine and play golf all year long,” he says.

(Viewing time: 6 minutes)

Previous episodes of “The Road Back” can be viewed at https://clubandresortbusiness.com/category/the-road-back/

Upcoming episodes will feature a club’s revival in 2020—including the reinstatement of initiation fees, installation of new pickleball courts, a complete staff makeover and the creation of a popular new festival event—despite the added challenges brought by the pandemic.

If you have a great idea or success story you’d like to see featured on a future episode of “The Road Back,” contact editor@clubandresortbusiness.com.