Despite The Great Recession, Golf Thrives At Clubs Focusing on Service and Family
by Charles Boyer on Nov 4, 2010 11:26 AM EDT
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PrintIn a time when a lot of golf clubs are struggling, some are thriving and even growing their memberships. The successful ones have found what that having superior service in a tight economy has helped them stave off financial woe. It seems like common sense: treat your customers very well and they will be loyal, but it is a lesson that seems to have eluded some course operators across the country.
From the Chicagoland area Libertyville Review:
Save for an Indian summer day or two, the 2010 golf season in the suburbs is just about finished. And even though golf courses across the country have suffered this year from the economic downturn, a number in Lake County and Cook County have been able to maintain their customer base -- and in some cases, grow.
At Hawthorn Woods Country Club, which features a 7,100-yard course designed by Arnold Palmer, about 100 golf members have been added since last year. At Highland Park Country Club and at The Glen Club in Glenview, corporate outings increased in 2010 from the previous year despite continued company cutbacks.
How did they manage that, considering that even the Chicago suburbs where these tracks are located have seen the same sharp rise in unemployment and general financial malaise that's plagued the US for the last two and a half years?
While many courses have cut costs to try to survive as the economy struggles, those run by KemperSports have followed a different philosophy.
"We take a longer-term view," said Steve Skinner, a Lake Forest resident who is KemperSports chief executive officer. "We don't want to compromise (by cutting customer service) in the short run so that in the long run, we'll benefit."
The company embraces the idea of involving the entire family.
It's just common sense: make the customer feel like they are getting good value and also that they are truly wanted, and they'll keep coming.
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Good points, OMP.
What I find most interesting is that areas like Chicagoland, where golf is only played 7 months out of the year (if we are lucky), membership seems to be rising in both semi-private and private clubs. I know that the club I used to work for has also seen a slight increase in membership despite the economy, but I believe it has more to do with golfers choosing a “cheaper” alternative to the likes of Oak Brook CC, Butler National, or Chicago Golf Club.
Adam Fonseca
Don’t you have to look at more than just golf in a country club membership ? You have social aspects, food and beverage, lots have tennis programs (some up there have indoor tennis)…and come on…it’s Chicago – gotta have a shooting range and a big morgue…“That’s the Chicago way.” (in my best Sean Connery typing voice)
"Fathom the odd hypocrisy that Obama wants every citizen to prove they are insured, but people don't have to prove they are citizens." - Ben Stein
Many clubs in Chicago offer “golf-only” memberships. And Chi-town isn’t all that bad, Court. Sure, we might have some crooked politicians and more jails than schools, but once you look past all of that there is a very lovely city to enjoy.
Adam Fonseca
by Adam Fonseca on Nov 4, 2010 12:15 PM EDT up reply actions
I absolutely LOVE Chicago
"(I)f you think you've got an inside track to absolute truth, you become doctrinaire, humorless and intellectually constipated." Saul Alinsky
Why is that D ?
the crrooked politicians or more jails than schools ?….a dirty town, stinking river and a losing tax base…..yea, ya gotta love it……STUB
It’s my experience in Chicago that it is cleaner in its downtown than Boston, NYC, LA, DC and Atlanta.
by Charles Boyer on Nov 4, 2010 1:55 PM EDT up reply actions
that would be my experience as well
I’ve yet to have a bad meal in or around the downtown area.
Stub, em, please check the logs in your own eyes.
"(I)f you think you've got an inside track to absolute truth, you become doctrinaire, humorless and intellectually constipated." Saul Alinsky
I'm sorry Diane.....I keep forgetting
that any opinion that is not the same as yours is unimportant and wrong. I’ve been to Chicago a few times and NOTHING about it appeals to me, but that’s just my uneducated, useless opinion. I bow to your superior intellect.
The Saints ARE the SUPER BOWL CHAMPS....WHO DAT!
not even a trip to Wrigley ?
I would love to spend some time in Chicago – lots of great things to see and explore. Political corruption aside – it’s the people that make the city….and who wouldn’t want a Chee-boi-ger and a petsi (no coke) ?
"Fathom the odd hypocrisy that Obama wants every citizen to prove they are insured, but people don't have to prove they are citizens." - Ben Stein
Been there, done that.......
Chicago just didn’t excite me……but I have no problem with other people loving it…….
The Saints ARE the SUPER BOWL CHAMPS....WHO DAT!
No one said you couldn’t have your own opinion. But you did go out of your way to second Stubs assertion that I like the city for all the things he named. The Biblical reference was to point out that crime, dirt and corruption are systemic to all large cities in the US, even the one closest to you. Have you thought about cleaning those up before you rag on a city several hundred miles away?
"(I)f you think you've got an inside track to absolute truth, you become doctrinaire, humorless and intellectually constipated." Saul Alinsky
No, but I'll take it under advisement....
but since Chicago was the city being discussed at the time, I foolishly thought it was the one to comment on……go figure.
You’re just upset because my right wing extremists beat up your left wing extremists……it’s a wonderful day in the neighborhood.
The Saints ARE the SUPER BOWL CHAMPS....WHO DAT!
All good points, D, but I’m also pretty sure that the cities around EM were built with as much political corruption or history of organized crime. Chicago and New York are at the head of the class there.
New Orleans has its own path of bizarre history and corruption – but not the same as Chicago. Atlanta has grown into a welfare city thanks to race bating politicians.
And I still want to spend some time in Chicago and New York and Boston and New Orleans and LA and San Francisco and Philly….
"Fathom the odd hypocrisy that Obama wants every citizen to prove they are insured, but people don't have to prove they are citizens." - Ben Stein
My take is that you can find good and bad in every major city in the world. And that corruption is the way the world works, sadly.
If you think Chicago is bad for crime and corruption, I invite you to travel to Rio, Sao Paulo, or Mexico City.
by Charles Boyer on Nov 4, 2010 2:47 PM EDT up reply actions
You know – you make great points – but you have to admit that Brazilian women on those beaches go a long way to balance out the politics and crime. :-D
"Fathom the odd hypocrisy that Obama wants every citizen to prove they are insured, but people don't have to prove they are citizens." - Ben Stein
Went to Nice, France a few
years ago. They have the “clothing optional” beaches there and they are right on the main road along the Mediterranean. A lot of beautiful women, but there are also 80 year old women topless and 300 lb men in speedo’s……..not pretty!
The Saints ARE the SUPER BOWL CHAMPS....WHO DAT!
LOL
"Fathom the odd hypocrisy that Obama wants every citizen to prove they are insured, but people don't have to prove they are citizens." - Ben Stein
Orient Beach in St Martin FWI is split one-half between topless and the other half clothing optional.
I discovered a fact of life there: those that should be naked were on the topless side and those that should be clothed were on the clothing optional side.
In fact, that’s where my hero lives and works. He was working as a banker in Paris, and one day he said the hell with the commute, the weather, the prices and the hassle and sold everything, cashed in his retirement and bought a bar on the topless end of Orient. Now, his life is serving beer and food to vacationers and generally enjoying life. He told me that not only is he happy, the value of the bar has doubled his retirement and that he owes nothing.
That’s what I call a win.
by Charles Boyer on Nov 4, 2010 3:25 PM EDT up reply actions
Ipanema Beach is a place that everyone should go once.
Then again, so is East Shoal Bay in Anguilla for exactly the opposite reason: the beach is what’s really beautiful there – it doesn’t have sand, it is crushed coral the consistency of flour and is bone white – and perfectly clear water. Moreover, I think Anguilla is the most polite place I have ever been in my life. No one passes you by without nodding or saying good morning.
Give me that over a crowded beach any day of the week. Preferably every day of the week, considering that a Greg Norman signature design is about 4 miles from East Shoal Bay.
by Charles Boyer on Nov 4, 2010 3:29 PM EDT up reply actions
Court.......
You’re right about New Orleans. I spent many years living across the lake from N.O. and I gotta tell you it may be the dirtiest city in the world……I’d much prefer Chicago over Nawlins. French Quarter, Bourbon Street, Superdome…..and Bourbon Street is just a few blocks long. It has been cleaned up quit a bit from the 60’s, 70’s a & 80’s (too many murders). Haven’t been there since Katrina.
The Saints ARE the SUPER BOWL CHAMPS....WHO DAT!
Yeah – as terrible as Katrina was, that city got a much needed street cleaning. Lots of history was destroyed, but so was a lot of real crap. Too bad the mayor and governor didn’t get washed out with the tide. I still can’t believe that the mayor got away with that “Chocolate New Orleans” line.
"Fathom the odd hypocrisy that Obama wants every citizen to prove they are insured, but people don't have to prove they are citizens." - Ben Stein
Can you spell......DOUBLE STANDARD
To top it off, the moron got re-elected. He’s finally out because of term limits.
The Saints ARE the SUPER BOWL CHAMPS....WHO DAT!
D...It' been years since I saw
any of those downtown areas…I was going with what I remember at the time….As for dining…I do agree, you can eat very well in Chicago….and did on more than one occasion….Loved the restaurant in the Old Palmer house….they also made a great Martini…STUB
Please stop rubbishing all these wonderful places
that I want to go back to or visit for the first time. Loved Chicago – played chess lakeside & concerts in the park. NY is one of the most vibrant cities in the world. Baltimore was incredible – Chesapeake Bay & fish market. San Francisco out of this world. Skiing in Breckenridge. Wonderful welcoming people (except at certain airports where I have Reginald Perrin type thoughts about the immigration ladies & gentlemen). There’s corruption, dirt & poverty in all our cities but we need to celebrate the positives & achievements too.
Wait – all those places are int the (gulp) United States !! Are you sure you meant to say such nice things about places over here ? :-D
"Fathom the odd hypocrisy that Obama wants every citizen to prove they are insured, but people don't have to prove they are citizens." - Ben Stein
And they are talking about the northern suburbs too…Glenview and those other towns are a helluva long way from Joliet or Gary.
by Charles Boyer on Nov 4, 2010 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions
oh come ON ! Of all people – CD missed an “Untouchables” line ?
"Fathom the odd hypocrisy that Obama wants every citizen to prove they are insured, but people don't have to prove they are citizens." - Ben Stein
Oh no worries, I heard ya loud and clear.
Adam Fonseca
by Adam Fonseca on Nov 4, 2010 12:58 PM EDT up reply actions
In the Twin Cities...
where the golf season is even shorter, I have heard that several Country Clubs are reducing or eliminating initiation fees in order to get new members to come and use some of their daily fee activities and/or food and beverage options.
I write about golf at www.tees2greens.com, too.
Same down here in Atlanta and we play all 12 months in most years. Canongate has 23 clubs in Atlanta and you can join for $200 or less. No initiation if you commit to a 2 year membership.
"Fathom the odd hypocrisy that Obama wants every citizen to prove they are insured, but people don't have to prove they are citizens." - Ben Stein
Been to Chicago many times
It’s a great city. Great food, great people, and great sports fans. And you haven’t lived until you’ve had Lou Malnati’s pizza,trust me on that. Not saying I would want to live there, but it’s a fun place to spend a weekend.
Fight for your opinions, but do not believe that they contain the whole truth, or the only truth.
Charles A. Dana
Ok, Ok,........I repent.....if Tigerhead says it's ok,
then I’m all in…..but just for a week-end and I gotta have some of that pizza!!! I’ll be leaving tomorrow for Chicago….where’s that Pizza place???
The Saints ARE the SUPER BOWL CHAMPS....WHO DAT!
Check out this website
http://www.loumalnatis.com/menu/carryout-menu.aspx I recommend the deep dish, yummo! They’’ll even ship to you nationwide.
Fight for your opinions, but do not believe that they contain the whole truth, or the only truth.
Charles A. Dana
HELLO.......I could eat
pizza every day. Man that looks good. How do they ship nationwide?
The Saints ARE the SUPER BOWL CHAMPS....WHO DAT!
They use dry ice
and ship it using UPS.
Fight for your opinions, but do not believe that they contain the whole truth, or the only truth.
Charles A. Dana
By the way em66
I hear there is a big game in the Bayou this weekend. Feeling good about it?
Fight for your opinions, but do not believe that they contain the whole truth, or the only truth.
Charles A. Dana
Will Brees Play?
I heard he might be out, but I will be the first to admit that I have been watching a LOT more futbol than pro football this year.
Speaking of, that was one helluva win by Liverpool today. Steven Gerrard proves once again that he is a great of the game, eh?
by Charles Boyer on Nov 4, 2010 10:02 PM EDT up reply actions
OMP......I think you are
confusing Brees with Bush. I’ve not heard anything about Brees, but Bush is a maybe, but I don’t think he will play because we have a bye week next week and he could probably use the additional 2 weeks……..my opinion.
The Saints ARE the SUPER BOWL CHAMPS....WHO DAT!
Sorry OMP, but TH is speaking about the
BAMA – LSU game!!!!!!!!!!!!! Feeling good…..not at all. If we had a QB, we would be #1 and undefeated and would kick bama’s butt’s…..if, if, if, if, if, if, if, if,…….naw…..aint gonna happen…..enjoy the game.
The Saints ARE the SUPER BOWL CHAMPS....WHO DAT!
Never know...
LSU is very tough on defense. I agree if they had a strong QB, they’d be almost unstoppable.
Fight for your opinions, but do not believe that they contain the whole truth, or the only truth.
Charles A. Dana
College ball I know a lot more about.
Bama looks a lot more vulnerable this year, and if LSU can stop their running game, they will stay in it and possibly win. Still, you have to favor the Tide in this one, mainly because Les Miles is half the coach that Nick Saban is. I think Alabama comes with a better game plan and will execute enough to win. We’ll see though, because honestly, it could go either way.
It’s a damned shame that this is not a 7:30 game, BTW.
by Charles Boyer on Nov 5, 2010 8:27 AM EDT up reply actions
All about the green
The main reason some clubs aren’t struggling is because they’ve adapted. Clubs that once had 20k down strokes and 10 year waiting lists are now one step away from a Little Ceasers pan handling marketing scheme.
Many clubs’ (especially ones that are member owned) board of directors have also ditched their in house management team for a third party management company. Arnold Palmer Golf Management took over our CC a year ago and we are now back in the black for the first time in two years. They’ve run fall membership drives, and opened the doors wide open for member’s guests. Some of the older members have their knickers in a bundle about young bucks coming in a such cheap rates, but most are ok with it b/c they know it’s necessary. On the flip side, how would you feel if you paid 20k to get in the door 5 years ago and now some 24 year-old is getting the same membership for $300/mo with no initiation?
OMP is right; private clubs have changed to involve the whole family. It’s not all about the golf anymore (sadly).
http://thegreenblazer.blogspot.com
AC/DC on the range ? Or “integration is a good thing” ? Oh wait – back in THE black….nevermind :-)
Canongate Golf (canongategolf.com) has been doing that in Atlanta for a number of years. Once the membership got over the shock of the entry level employees taking up membership spots and wearing plaid shorts on the fairways, they figured out that it was better to have new blood and a full tee sheet than it was to be calling the local muni for a tee time every week.
"Fathom the odd hypocrisy that Obama wants every citizen to prove they are insured, but people don't have to prove they are citizens." - Ben Stein
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