Hello golf stakeholders:
The October issue of the Perspective should be a welcome respite from the continuing, provocative coverage of the LIV Golf saga as we cater to those who are plugged into the industry operations vs. the sports media channel for golf. The continuing positive trend for golf operations post-COVID is the backdrop for Jim’s story this month on the renaissance of golf market analysis as more stakeholders are now interested in the improving macro environment surrounding their course or markets in general. In parallel Pellucid has re-imagined our Golf Local Market Analyzer to provide quantitative, multi-dimensional answers to the question of increasing interest, “How has my draw area or local market changed due to COVID?” Stuart Lindsay takes time this month to reflect on college-age golfers, college golf and facilities that cater to the collegiate crowd highlighting Oakland University GC, their business model and customer experience. In Stuart’s opinion, there is both opportunity and opportunities for improvement in this particular microcosm of the larger golf industry.
See below for the headlines for each of our recurring sections from By-the-Numbers to Comings & Goings (always entertaining commentary). We’ve already compiled the September rounds “preview”, courtesy of our Golf Market Research Center (GMRC) subscribers, and it suggests that we’ll again get a slight “up” on Utilization with modestly up demand against modestly down weather. 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).
MARKET ANALYSIS
2 Fewer markets are “underwater”; (good) analysis coming back in vogue
By Jim Koppenhaver
GENERATIONAL TRENDS
8 College-age golfers and college golf; a force for good in golf
By Stuart Lindsay
COMINGS & GOINGS
12 19 Activities; Transactions continue domination at 15
WEATHER IMPACT
16 September GPH flat at -2%, Year-to-Date continues improvement (-5%)
BY-THE-NUMBERS
18 Aug Utilization flat as rounds gain, Year-to-Date remains up against weather headwind
MARKET FOCUS
20 St. Louis squeaks into Top 25 at #25, market health is improving
