If you’re anything like me, you’re a busy golf course operator. You’re a high achiever and are willing to try just about anything in order to bring new golfers to the game and see your golf course succeed. After all, the days of easily getting a line of credit have long since passed.
Chances are you’re pretty successful and overall, are a very driven person. The commitment to the game of golf is very high even if you, yourself, are unable to play as often as you would like.
You watch other sports dominate in the youth space and are eager to bring golf more into the front of parents and youngsters mind. Seriously. Have you seen your local soccer fields on Saturday morning? Not to mention, I don’t know a single person who got a concussion playing golf, yet parents continue to sign up their kids at young ages for contact sports.
Not to mention, you’re really tired of the depressing data that it seems like everyone in the golf industry touts. Less rounds. More golf courses closing than opening every year. Blah. Blah. Blah. I don’t know about you, but I’m kind of tired of hearing it.
What is standing in your way? It seems like there aren’t enough hours in the day to complete the tasks on your to do list. You wake up without a plan on how you’re going to run your golf course. Many days, you feel like the golf course is running you! Maybe you feel overwhelmed. Don’t have a clear understanding of where you need to take your golf course in its marketing efforts and plans for the future. Maybe you have a board with questions you don’t know the answers to or an owner who isn’t involved and might have unreasonable expectations.
Recognize These Feelings?
Be honest, have you ever felt this way:
- Do you feel overwhelmed by all of the different options available for marketing your course?
- Do you work too much in your business rather than on it?
- Do you worry about how you’re going to make payroll next week?
- Are you tired of watching your rounds decrease?
If so, you’re not alone. Every golf course operator has had these feelings! It’s a tough business!
I Get It. Been There. Done That.
When I first started managing my family’s golf course in 2004, we had what seemed to be a never ending list of challenges. The golf course itself needed some updates. The clubhouse looked the same that it had back in the 70’s with paneled walls and bad carpeting.
Over time, we had gotten a bad reputation on conditions and play was at a dismal low. To make matters worse, in our second year of managing, the main road to our golf course was completely closed with a detour that took golfers nearly 15 minutes longer to get to our place.
Man. I didn’t sleep much that year. In fact, if it hadn’t been for my parents generosity, we would have closed our doors. They funded payroll and loan payments so we could remain open. It was a very dark time.
With a sense of familial obligation and a considerable amount of drive, I was able to completely turn our family’s course around in about four short (but felt long) years.
No. It didn’t happen overnight, but it did happen. It took careful planning and determination to believe in the only sport that can be played for a lifetime without concussion! Bonus!
My Goal for This Blog
In 2015, I was given the award of 8th Most Innovative Person in the Golf Industry by Golf, Inc. Magazine.
Up until that point, I had always just considered myself to be “plain ole Allison.” I didn’t really think that anything I had to offer to the golf industry had anything of value. Yet, I was told by several colleagues that they greatly admired my outlook in the golf business.
After extensive research and observation from other golf courses around the United States, I noticed that I had a knack for marketing that didn’t seem to be very prevalent in the golf world. That’s why I have decided to write this blog.
I want to push us forward and have greater success in our industry. There are so many reasons to be proud of the golf industry. If only for the philanthropy and charity work alone, we should really bang that drum of celebration. I don’t see other sports who are able to raise millions of dollars for charity.
My goal is to teach you some simple marketing skills that will help to increase play and stability at your course and ignite your energy level, so you no longer feel overwhelmed.
There are great quotes and videos on my facebook page.
Picture me with pom poms in my hands while I cheerlead you on to building a great golf course with predictable income and a waiting list of golfers.
Let’s celebrate this industry together!
Cue the confetti.