The Golf Business Conference and PGA Merchandising Show are now in the rearview mirror (much bigger turnout for both this year vs. ’21) and it’s time for the limited-season operators to finish annual plans and prepare for the upcoming season opening. It was great seeing some number of our clients and readers during the two shows and we again received kind words and kudos on our 20th annual presentation of the State of the Industry during both conferences. At this point, we believe we’re the definitive voice on SoI but part of that is due to the fact that everyone else has pretty much given up due to difficulty or lack of conviction.
Stuart Lindsay leads this month with his assertion that weather analysis can be fun (we, as analysts, have a slightly different definition of fun than the average person) and outlines the effort and rigor we’ve collectively poured into our weather impact analysis capabilities since ’04. He touches on the importance of weather in interpreting the correct industry storyline for ’22 (demand strengthened) as well as outlining what underpins our (encouraging) ’23 national weather impact forecast. Publisher Jim K. has some fun taking apart several industry veterans’ assertion that “personal experience trumps data” in understanding market dynamics as a component of representing either a buyer or seller of a golf property (seriously?).
See below for the headlines to each of our recurring sections from By-the-Numbers to Comings & Goings (always entertaining commentary). We’ve already compiled the January rounds “preview”, courtesy of our GMRC subscribers, and it suggests that we’ll hold Utilization which would be a solid result given that GPH came in at +34% as outlined in By-the-Numbers. If you want to know those numbers on a regular basis, you can either participate in GMRC (course operators) or sign up for a Publications Membership (everyone else).