London, England: In a timely boost for golf, Sports Marketing Surveys has announced increased figures in its Golf Rounds Played study in the United Kingdom for the first quarter of 2014 compared with the previous year.
Despite the wettest January on record, the numbers of rounds played were up by 17% in comparison to the snow affected January of 2013. The stormy weather continued into February and resulted in extensive flooding and widespread course closures throughout much of the UK. A downturn in the amount of golf rounds being played ensued.
Irrespective of the little golf being played in February, the loss of rounds played were more than compensated for by a 30% upsurge in the number of rounds played, as a mild Spring arrived early in March.
The surge in the amount of golf being played (in March) corresponded to a bettered first quarter against the 2013 numbers.
Richard Payne, Senior Manager of Sports Accounts at Sports Marketing Surveys, said: “A first quarter increase of near on 6% (vis-à-vis Q1 2013) is a good omen for golf participation for the rest of the year.
“We know from our experience that if golfers are out on the course playing before the Masters, then the game can expect to play a larger part of their year, with further rounds to follow suit.”