[avdddcxnelkaxz]

I was just wondering if anyone on here has ever heard of any courses closing because of the bad economy? Or how do you think that the economy has affected golf?

[PaulRyansew]

Of course - both private and public. There was a trend of fewer rounds being played even before the economy took a nosedive - fewer golfers and a lot of new courses being built. I think the whole industry will come out of this in a much healthier position.

[en-druzhba]

Of course - both private and public. There was a trend of fewer rounds being played even before the economy took a nosedive - fewer golfers and a lot of new courses being built. I think the whole industry will come out of this in a much healthier position.

I haven't seen any course closures here, but I wouldn't be surprised to see some soon. It appears they are all hurting and willing to sell rounds at very low prices just to generate revenue. Surprisingly, the city munis seem to be weathering the storm better than the upscale courses. I believe a lot of the "snowbird" rounds that would have gone to the upscale courses last fall flowed to the city because of their lower rates.

[avdddcxnelkaxz]

I haven't seen any course closures here, but I wouldn't be surprised to see some soon. It appears they are all hurting and willing to sell rounds at very low prices just to generate revenue. Surprisingly, the city munis seem to be weathering the storm better than the upscale courses. I believe a lot of the "snowbird" rounds that would have gone to the upscale courses last fall flowed to the city because of their lower rates.

What do they do to a course that closes down? I'm assuming they fence it off? cause I would be golfing there day and night if no one was there!

[PaulRyansew]

What do they do to a course that closes down? I'm assuming they fence it off? cause I would be golfing there day and night if no one was there!

You would be trespassing on private property in full view of the road on many holes.

[F1grandprix]

You would be trespassing on private property in full view of the road on many holes.

Not to mention that after a couple weeks of neglect most don't even resemble a golf course anymore.

[en-druzhba]

What do they do to a course that closes down? I'm assuming they fence it off? cause I would be golfing there day and night if no one was there!

I have only watched one course close. A subdivision development in NW Arkansas and a golf course developer got together and built a course which was then being surrounded by houses. The subdivision developer was paying a fee of around $5000 to the golf course for every new house sold. The subdivision developer got in trouble and went belly up. A new developer picked up the property and started building new houses only he refused to pay golf course for new sales. His reasoning was he bought defunct property, not original developer's obligations. Golf course developer threatened to close course and followed through. Course closed.

To answer your question, after a few weeks of not mowing fairways and rough (only took care of greens) no one would want to play it. It doesn't take long for a course to really start to suffer if it is not diligently maintained.

[gymnAnemoe]

I haven't seen any course closures here, but I wouldn't be surprised to see some soon. It appears they are all hurting and willing to sell rounds at very low prices just to generate revenue. Surprisingly, the city munis seem to be weathering the storm better than the upscale courses. I believe a lot of the "snowbird" rounds that would have gone to the upscale courses last fall flowed to the city because of their lower rates.

Really.During the winter months I was seeing Randolph charging $72.That's highway robbery. IMHO None of the City courses are that great.Randolph is the best but the conditions are not that great.

[avdddcxnelkaxz]

Not to mention that after a couple weeks of neglect most don't even resemble a golf course anymore.

True.....

[en-druzhba]

Really.During the winter months I was seeing Randolph charging $72.That's highway robbery. IMHO None of the City courses are that great.Randolph is the best but the conditions are not that great.

I agree with you about the highway robbery part, but that doesn't change the fact that compared to Arizona National ($175), Dove Mountain ($225) and Starr Pass ($185), the city courses are a lot cheaper in the winter. I played them regularly through the "winter" season, and I was paired with lots of snowbirds who normally played at more expensive places. They didn't quit playing golf, they just "downgraded" to more reasonable rates to save their pocketbooks. I also talked to the pros at the city and they said they were only off about 10% from previous years. That is not nearly as much loss of business as the big courses saw.

I think Dell Urich is in much better shape and more interesting than Randolph, but I am looking forward to El Rio re-opening after it has been closed all summer for refurbishment. It was a really good old style course in its day. There were pro events staged there for years. I believe people like Sarazen, Hagen, etc played it in the 30's and 40's. There are old photos in the clubhouse.

[deermealec]

We have had a few go dormant in our area due to lack of paying customers. They may, or may not open up in the future. My home course is still pretty busy, and fortunately Billy Casper golf is keeping it in good shape.

[avdddcxnelkaxz]

I wonder how this helps......The course I am a regular at is located at out local military base here in town. What kind of an affect does this have on our course.....comments

[Mjxhnapi]

I know of a few courses around here that have closed. It happens when the economy is down.

[bitymnmictada]

We had three county courses here. One closed this year. No clue what's going to happen to the property.

[F1grandprix]

I wonder how this helps......The course I am a regular at is located at out local military base here in town. What kind of an affect does this have on our course.....comments

Comment as far as what? That the base is keeping their course open in a bad economy? Not sure what you are asking for comments on as your post is a little choppy and has some spelling issues.

[Discus]

My home course closed for a few months, but it was due to poor managment & the owner being in way over his head. The village hired a great greenskeeper from a course in the Dells to keep the place up. They have been open for the past few months & the course is in better shape then I have ever seen it.

As far as the economy having an effect, yep it sure has. Lots of courses are offering dirt cheap rates, previously private courses are throwing their doors open & welcoming the public in to play, etc.

[en-druzhba]

I have been getting e-mails from Arizona National, where Univ of Arizona plays, practically begging me to join. They will let me try it out for a year at the normal monthly dues and then if I decide to join as a full member, they will finance the initiation for 18 months at 0% interest. I have considered it, but I really have enjoyed not being a member tied to one course. I really like having a lot of different course available to me. Also, I am a member of a Men's Club so I can keep a verifiable handicap through the AZGA.