Tired of hearing about the economy and how it is supposed to affect us but isn’t? Then skip this story.
It’s almost natural to assume, given the gloom and doom of recent media reports, that folks are cutting back on luxury spending. But if you subscribe to that line of thinking, you’re probably not an avid northshore golfer.
Membership and attendance at northshore golf courses is healthy and steady, and no one seems to expect that to change. While the costs of the game vary widely depending on where you choose to play, devotees seem far from ready to hang up their clubs and fire their caddies.
At Hammond’s Oak Knoll Country Club, 340 members participate in golf outings. With a $250 initiation fee and $130 a month for family membership – a rate that drops by 50 percent for members who live outside a 30-mile radius – the club is, in fact, growing.
“That’s a gradual increase over the last few months,” said Jake Narro, PGA Head Golf Professional at the Club. “We haven’t seen a decline in membership. We haven’t had a skyrocketing membership, but we’re probably five percent higher in the last 10 months.”
At Mandeville’s Beau Chene, members pay a $7,000 initiation fee and $265 a month. And that doesn’t include access to tennis courts, which costs more. But the club’s 900 golf members don’t seem to mind. “We try to keep the rates reasonably low,” said Andy Smith, the Club’s Assistant Golf Professional.
And at Money Hill Golf and Country Club near Abita Springs, 310 members paid a $7,000 initiation and $285 a month to enjoy the course and other club amenities. “It’s the newest golf course on the northshore,” said Director of Golf Tim Hogan.
What makes these two clubs distinctly different isn’t just the price. They differ in age and style, too.
Oak Knoll opened as a nine-hole course in 1921, and has expanded to a full 18-hole course over the years, with recently replaced greens. “The course has had some major improvements in the last few years,” Narro said. “It’s not a modern course. It’s an old-style course, easy for members to walk, and player-friendly.”
Beau Chene, in contrast, opened in 1975 with one full course and now has two 18-hole courses, which is much of its draw, according to Smith. “The attraction is having two courses, so you’re not going to get trouble with a desired tee time,” he said.
Money Hill, which opened in September 1998 is, according to Hogan, the newest course on the northshore. “It’s the only course on the northshore that has opened in the last 12 years,” he said.
All three courses restrict play to members and their guests, although Oak Knoll allows non-members to play if a member reserves their tee time. Fees for this vary, as well. At Oak Knoll, there’s a $27 guest fee on Tuesday through Friday, and the fee rises to $32 on weekends. That’s if you’re playing with a member. Without a member, the fee is $32 fee on Tuesday through Friday, and $43 on weekends. “As our membership grows, those (non-member access) times will shrink,” Narro said. “And that’s our goal.”
At Beau Chene, the non-member fee is $56 during the week and $66 on weekends.
And at Money Hill, the rules are strictest and the prices steepest. “To play Money Hill, you have to belong to another private country club and have your PGA golf pro call to make arrangements – or play with a member,” Hogan said. Weekday play for non-members is $77, and weekend play jumps to $87.
Wow. So in this economy – or this perceived economy – is anyone jumping at the chance to play golf?
“The golf industry has been hit, especially high-end, daily-fee facilities,” Narro said. But, he was quick to add, what most golf courses are discovering is that the market isn’t contracting but is, rather, becoming more competitive. “People aren’t going to quit,” he said. “They’re going to find a different place to do it.” A different place that’s cheaper.
“For corporate outings, the numbers are a little lower,” Hogan said. “I have the same number of outings, but fewer people entering the events.”
But Beau Chene, Smith said, has seen steady participation in golf-related activities. “We’re the only country club around here that has 2 championship golf courses,” he said. “That’s a real big attraction for us.”
Ah, yes, the courses themselves. To an avid golfer, that matters. A lot.
Smith said the Louisiana Golf Association uses strict measurements to award the “Championship Course” status, including the care and quality of greens.
“There are a lot of criteria to be a championship course,” he said.
Money Hill’s single 18-hole course is also a Championship Course, in addition to having a 35-acre practice facility, the Rob Noel Golf Academy.
So while the appeal of Beau Chene’s golf courses may be their quality, and Money Hill’s its newness and exclusivity, at Oak Knoll it’s clearly the price – particularly that half-dues feature for members who live more than 30 miles away. “It’s a very reasonable fee in the world of golf,” Narro said.
And again, at Beau Chene and Money Hill, the appeal is focused elsewhere.
“It’s a real resort-style place,” Smith said. “The location is a big thing, as well. We’re right on your doorstep whether you live in Covington or Mandeville.”
“Money Hill has had a wonderful year,” Hogan said.
And Oak Knoll continues to grow, too. “We want to get to 400 members over the next year,” Narro said. “The more members we have, the more services we can provide.”
New membership is certainly doable. According to Golf Profit Builders, a business resource for golf course operators, the game gains between 1.5 and 3 million new players a year. Trouble is, about the same number give up golf for some other hobby. Why? The organization believes it’s due to the time involved in undertaking a game of golf – four-plus hours. And with the “hot demographic” between 29 and 49, golf courses are also appealing to those who have higher work demands and less leisure time.
“It’s not just a four-hour round,” Hogan said. “It’s time getting to and from, time practicing and warming up, then the visit to the 19th hole. By the time it’s all said and done, you’re looking at a six-hour day.” So who has time for that? Lots of folks, say the golf pros interviewed for this story.
“A lot of businesses are cutting back,” Hogan said. “People are working more hours to keep their jobs. They might be able to play only once a week. But we haven’t seen that too much. It’s a very active club.”