Our Summer issue will include a feature on the recent growth of management companies, and how the current economy has fueled that growth.
But the growth is not sudden. Companies like Troon and Billy Casper Golf Management have been steadily growing over the past ten years. To be sure, growth was not as rapid as this magazine predicted in 2000. But it has still been constant, and appears to continue at a good pace.
Many of the courses being added today were underperforming – both private clubs and resorts.
So the question remains, is this good for the industry?
It appears that the answer is ‘yes’. It is always better to have a well-run course than to have poorly managed facilities. And there really is little fear that golf will turn into the hotel industry – with a few dominant chains. Golfers still choose a course based on the unique attributes of the facility, and not based on who manages it.