Preliminary Results from Golf Industry’s Leading Data Collection & Benchmarking Service Also Report Golf Fee Revenue Up 6.6%, Leading to Estimated $700 Million Economic Boost
PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – PGA PerformanceTrak, the golf industry’s leading rounds and revenue data collection and benchmarking service, from The PGA of America in Cooperation with the NGCOA, today announced that according to preliminary year-end results, golf rounds played in 2012 were up 6.4% compared with 2011 data, representing the largest single year percentage increase in rounds played since 2000.
PGA PerformanceTrak is the leading source for golf facility performance indicators and the largest single source of rounds played data in the golf industry, with more than 3,000 facilities contributing to the report on a monthly basis.
In addition to the 6.4% increase in rounds played, resulting in nearly 30 million more rounds played throughout the nation in 2012, golf fee revenue increased 6.6% based on reports from the participating golf facilities. Other year-over-year golf growth indicators include:
48 states showed an increase in golf fee revenue for 2012.
17 states revealed golf fee revenue increases over 10%. This data is in line with the broader increases in rounds played in these respective states.
24 states had golf fee revenue increases ranging from 5.0% to 9.9%.
Seven states had golf fee revenue increases from 1% to 4.9%
2012 had the same number of weekend days (105) as 2011
Additionally, the PGA PerformanceTrak reports highlighted other Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s), based on feedback from a subset of the participating facilities. Some of the key findings include:
Merchandise revenue was up 8.9%
Food & beverage revenue was up 5.9%
Total facility revenue was up 4.3%
According to the National Climatic Data Center located in Asheville, N.C., 2012 marked the warmest year on record for the U.S. Record warm weather temperatures contributed to the supply of available golf — leading to a 6.5% increase in days open throughout the year — which in-turn provided golfers with the opportunities to take advantage of playing more, explaining a portion of the rounds played increases.
“While the increase in rounds played in 2012 was supported by favorable weather conditions, consumers made the choice to play golf, rather than participate in other recreational activities,” said Ted Bishop, President, The PGA of America. “It’s not an aberration that golf facilities that are offering player development programs to support Golf 2.0, are driving more consumers to the course, while positively impacting the bottom lines at their facilities. We continue to build momentum, and I’m confident that these programs, complemented by the favorable weather conditions, are leading to the increase in rounds played.”
About PerformanceTrak
PGA PerformanceTrak in Cooperation with the NGCOA is the industry’s leading rounds and revenue data collection and benchmarking service. Reports are available for PGA Sections, States and over 70 local markets. NGCOA report packages are also available for local competitive golf markets (CGMs) and for rate sets within CGMs. Reports include data for each metric (e.g. median golf fee revenue), not just the percent change, for rounds played and 4 Key Performance Indicators. Statistics reported for golf rounds KPI’s are based on same facility year-over year-performance. A dedicated team at the PGA of America National Office gathers this data monthly to support participation and benchmark reporting across the country and to assist with customer service inquiries. PerformanceTrak has a high standard regarding data quality. Information submitted is reviewed for significant changes and outliers, feedback is gathered from users regarding their specific operations and their local area and any outlier of data is omitted from reporting. PerformanceTrak is a fully online, web-based service with real-time reports available 24/7. Flexibility of data submission is offered to all users when a non-online approach is needed.
About The PGA of America
Since its founding in 1916, The PGA of America has maintained a twofold mission: to establish and elevate the standards of the profession and to grow interest and participation in the game of golf. By establishing and elevating the standards of the golf profession through world-class education, career services, marketing and research programs, The PGA enables its professionals to maximize their performance in their respective career paths and showcases them as experts in the game and in the multi-billion dollar golf industry. By creating and delivering world-class championships and innovative programs, The PGA of America elevates the public’s interest in the game, the desire to play more golf, and ensures accessibility to the game for everyone, everywhere. As The PGA nears its centennial, the PGA brand represents the very best in golf.
Contact Us
PGA PerformanceTrak Services and Support
E-mail: PerformanceTrak@pgahq.com Web site: http://www.PGAPerformanceTrak.com
The PGA of America: Nicole Ferguson-Sutherland
Phone: (800) 477-6465 Ext. 8574 Email: NFerguson@pgahq.com
For Media Inquiries: Randy Stutzman
Phone: (800) 477-6465 Ext. 8438 Email: RStutzman@pgahq.com
NGCOA: Joe Rice
Phone: (800) 933-4262 Ext. 222 E-mail: JRice@ngcoa.org
Web sites: www.NGCOA.org/benchmark www.PGAPerformanceTrak.com/NGCOA
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