The PGA of America and the National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA) has issued its year-end 2008 rounds played and revenue report, generated from the PGA PerformanceTrak program, in cooperation with the NGCOA.

Based on data provided from approximately 2,500 facilities per month throughout the year, PerformanceTrak reports that rounds played were down -0.8% for 2008 on a nationwide basis, with a similar decline in year-to-date days open, at -0.7%.

Additionally, average rounds played per course were 27,966 in 2008, compared to 28,202 in 2007. Rounds played trended up in only five months (February, April, July, August and October) compared to 2007.

Despite the fractional decline in average rounds played, the year-end report did show a slight increase in three of the four revenue metrics collected and reported by PGA PerformanceTrak. Median golf-fee revenue per round was up 1.7%, supported by the ability to maintain rates during the high-volume portion of the season. Median food and beverage revenue per round was up 1.6%, and median total revenue per round was up 1.5%.

Median merchandise revenue per round, however, declined 2.4% for the year, according to the report.