Scottsdale, United States: Staples Golf Design, a Scottsdale-based golf course design firm, has announced the release of the Community Links white paper dedicated to help struggling municipal golf facilities in America find ways to increase use and become financially viable.
The paper sets the tone for municipal golf’s comeback story and lays the foundation for a game-changing solution that keeps their doors open – a solution that promotes innovation to an industry segment stuck in an outdated business model.
“Municipal golf in America has traditionally played a very important role in growing the game, and creating access for those looking to learn to golf,” said Andy Staples, a member of the American Society of Golf Course Architects and the architect behind the Community Links philosophy.
“The intention of this white paper is to present a real alternative for municipalities to consider when approaching their course’s future; the current model for many of these facilities just isn’t working, and closure, unfortunately, may make the most sense.”
Staples’ team recently opened its first Community Links project in Hobbs, New Mexico, which has received rave reviews from national golf media and from the Hobbs’ residents themselves.
Rockwind Community Links, as it is now known, focuses on expanding the offerings that attract non-golfers, as well as focusing attention on the beginner and family golfer.
“This paper is really well done” said Dr Bradley Klein, author and Golf Architecture Editor at Golfweek. “Not only is it interesting, it’s timely.”
The paper relies on data provided by the latest National Golf Foundaation reports and on information recently gathered in Hobbs during a two-day survey at the facility, which included non-golfers.
The paper covers the history of municipal golf in America, why its current business model is failing, pivotal trends occurring in the US, and the successes at Rockwind.
“I thought it was important to document why certain municipal golf courses are failing, and put into context where this segment of the industry started to go off track,” said Staples.
“I think it’s very important we continue to market the values of the game of golf and sing the praises of why golf courses in our communities are a good thing. The bottom line is, golf should be celebrated for the value it provides our society.”
To download a copy of the white paper, visit http://www.staplesgolfdesign.com/community-links/the-white-paper.aspx