Golf Course Owner's Need a Reality Check. The Future is in YOUR Hands.

6/22/2010

Ladies and Gentlemen we have a problem. I am not writing this to say that there is a problem with all golf course owner's in this wonderful country, but there are some who don't see the big picture. Grass Roots Professional Golf, Provincial/National Amateur Events, and Junior Golf Events are the future of the game....

I began working with the Great Lakes Tour Tournament Operations Crew for many reasons, and one of them was to gain some insight into how golf courses operate internally and externally. Externally, I have found ground maintenance have some problems setting a golf course properly for day to day play, be it tee positioning, pin placements, or marking of hazards. I find this not a great problem, but one that should be assessed to insure all players are getting a fair chance to score their very best. However, internally I am seeing greater problems and IT HAS TO STOP.

As a CPGA Professional, I come into contact with many golfing individuals on a daily basis. These avid or keen golfers listen to almost anything a golf professional will say. When I tell them of a great golfing experience I had or an equipment change I made or a swing thought that works, they really listen. In the end, that individual will tell his friends and they will go try that golf course I told him about or buy that new driver or practice that new technique. So it makes no sense that any golf course manager or owner should feel inconvenienced or angry when the Great Lakes Tour comes to their facility.

I was recently told by a course owner while tearing down after an event on the GLT that I was disrespectful and everyone on the tour doesn't honour the game and etiquette of the sport. This as I was expressing my thanks to him and his staff. I feel that the Great Lakes Tour has some of the finest Professionals to ever be associated with the game. Ben Ferguson, Danny King, Warren Sye, Keir Smith, Brian McCann, Alan McLean, and Danny Mijovic were all playing in the field on that particular day. I don't believe any of these great players are at all disrespectful to a facility that opens their doors for us on a day in the busy summer months.

So I find it no wonder that REAL competitive tournament golf is falling off in our country. There is very little support from the fortunate few who can actually make a difference..... THE OWNERS. Many managers and owners have been very snooty towards us, and feel that we are not worth the hassle. However, always remember that we on the Great Lakes Tour are a close knit community and we all talk about the good, the bad, and the ugly to all our clients, members, and family. So if your an owner of a golf club and your reading this... HAVE AN OPEN HEART AND WELCOME ALL TO YOUR FACILITY BECAUSE WITHOUT YOU WE HAVE NOTHING. And if this state of mind keeps up.... we'll truly have nothing for everyone in the not so far future.

7 Comments

Stephen Paige

6/24/2010 06:47:05 am

Although you make some valid points, I can't help but to point out that you obviously have a lack of understanding/knowledge about how businesses are run. Golf courses are a business and need to keep up revenue in order to survive and provide high quality customer service and course. Tournaments can be highly costly to the club in terms of staffing, prep work, etc.
More experience on the other end of things (not just playing golf) can give you more knowledge into the business end of the game.

Jim Kenesky

6/25/2010 12:21:31 am

Thank you for the comment Stephen. I do have a great understanding of how a business runs, as I have worked in and with every department of a golf course. I have been working in the business for half my life, and virtually grew up on a golf course. I appreciate and know the cost of running a tournament. I've been on your side and seen all that goes on. This is more about the future of the game. Without owner's giving back to the grassroots, there will be nothing for my children to play in. That scares me. When I was a junior I had my pick of numerous tournaments. I now have juniors calling, asking if there's any tournaments in the area to play. I know there are individuals out there trying to make things happen, but course officials won't give a break on their course for one monday or tuesday through the year. For those clubs that do... Keep it up. They're the clubs that will be successful in the long run. They touch the hearts of the kids, the parents, and the community.

M. Smyth

6/27/2010 08:23:34 am

sorry jim. unless you have worked FULL TIME, at a golf course and see the day to day operations from all points of view, i don't think your standing on solid ground with you comments above. what are you, in your twenties??? lots to learn my friend. i think the best place for you to learn the biz truly is in a pro shop/operations, working with the real professionals. setting up tee blocks and score boards is only going to gain you some bug bites. best of luck.

Stan M.

6/27/2010 10:01:51 am

I’ve only known Jim a few years but I find it very presumptuous, M. Smyth, to state that Jim doesn’t know the “biz” and that he hasn’t worked with “real professionals”. Not that I’m here to defend him but I met Jim while he was working FULL TIME as a CPGA golf professional in a proshop. Jim is not only an accomplished player and a CPGA Professional but is also a very knowledgeable teacher, and knows the business (and the game) of golf from the inside and out.
Anyhow, I agree with Stephen that golf courses are a business and that they are there to make money but I can also see Jim’s point that player development is important. I think the real issue is that Canada is seriously behind on all athletic opportunities, including golf. All of our aspiring young golf athletes end up with scholarships to the states due to the lack of opportunities here. Perhaps the solution is more support from owners when the opportunity arises to host such events? I don’t know but my one thought is if golf courses don’t want the hassle (or apparent lack of income) of professional or amateur tour events then why do they agree to host them only to make a fuss about it later? It doesn’t make any sense to me...

R.U.Kidding

6/28/2010 11:58:32 am

Are any of u listening to your own replies?! Every reply has focused on the fact that you think Jim doesn't know how a business runs, or that a golf course has to make money. WHAT DO THINK A TOURNAMENT BRINGS IN???!!! Especially on a rainy day when u'd be losing money due to staff, prep work, etc. Those are day to day operating costs regardless. An 80 player field only ties the course up for half the day, and brings in GUARANTEED income. Leaving u with the rest of the day for public play (which definitely won't respect the course as much as the tour players) If planned properly, a tour like the GLT, could actually save the course money for that day. They do all the prep work, with the exception of course maintenance. They have their own starters, marshalls, etc. Certain staff could be given the morning off thus saving the course money. So next time you want to complain about respectful tour players bringing your facility a guaranteed income for a half days work, they can easily go somewhere else.

Kerrie Jordezska

6/29/2010 06:02:39 am

If the main concern is a place for children to play and a future for your children in golf, I suggest you educate/familiarize yourself with the CN Future Links program and the new initiative by Golf Canada, which includes a long-term player developement guide for Canada.
If you want young players to succeed on any tour, you should provide them with the tools from the beginning.
Your focus seems mainly (and maybe biased?) based on the Great Lakes Tour and golfers.
Best of luck to you!

I.P. Freele

6/30/2010 10:52:44 am

Hi Jim,
I am hearing rumblings about the GLT and how it is managed.. Maybe that is the core issue here... I fully support local tours, they are great for all involved especially the golf course.
Things that make you go hmmm.

Golf Course Owner's Need a Reality Check. The Future is in YOUR Hands.

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