The May 2013 issue of “Golf Business” magazine shines its spotlight on ASGCA Past President Rick Phelps. Phelps discussed his business focus and how he views the future of golf design in the United States.
The article, in the official publication of the Golf Course Owners Association, quotes Phelps as saying: “Owners are being more cautious [in their spending], but they’re recognizing that they want to be in a good position to attract new or returning players when they come back. They’re realizing that if they spend a little money here and there and do a few fix-up projects, they’ll have word-of-mouth working for them.”
The piece, written by Ronnie Musselwhite, goes on to say, “Eventually, Phelps expects domestic course development will resume, albeit at a much more sensible pace. The days of 300 to 400-course openings per year will likely give way to growth in the 50 to 100 new course range, with more emphasis placed on sustainability of the course itself.
“’Major projects will be tied to real estate, but there will be more separation between real estate and golf,’ Phelps predicts. ‘I think government authorities that approve the building of developments will insist that developers have a long-term plan for functional operation of the course.’”