Golf Range Times Magazine Novemberr–December 2004 'Tee Time' Reference Article

Golf Range Times Buyers' Guide and Directory

November–December 2004
Tee Time: Industry News

Industry Response Positive, Says PGA Golf Exhibitions
In response to exhibitor and buyer feedback, the 2004 PGA Fall Expo, originally planned for early August in San Diego, was rescheduled for September in Las Vegas—a move that paid off in increased attendance, say show organizers. In its post-show wrap-up, PGA Golf Exhibitions reports a 32 percent gain in PGA professional attendance compared to the 2003 event, with 13 percent growth in PGA and non-PGA buyer attendance. Overall attendance increased 7 percent.
Interactive programs in-cluding Demo Night, the Equipment Testing Center and fashion parades contributed to an exhibitor satisfaction level that quad-rupled since last year, according to an independent ex-hibitor exit survey. The post-event survey also found that the number of exhibitors planning a return trip for the 2005 show tripled.
“The support of major equipment and apparel companies, new and enhanced interactive events and a return to post-Labor Day dates in Las Vegas seemed to drive these great results,” said Ed Several, PGA Golf Exhibitions vice president and show manager, in a news release.
The PGA Fall Expo will return to the Las Vegas Convention Center, Sept. 26-28, 2005. Meanwhile, preparations are well under way for the 2005 PGA Merchandise Show, Jan. 27-30, 2005, in Orlando, Fla. Details on this event are available at www.pgamerchandiseshow.com.

SPECIAL REPORT

Ranges Mop Up in Hurricanes’ Wake
In late September, Florida golf ranges and courses were reeling from an unprecedented four-punch of powerful storms that put a damper on the beginning of the Sunshine State’s prime golfing season.

“It’s been frustrating,” says Bob McGrath, owner of The Next Nine Golf & Grille in Northport, which received successive hits from Hurricanes Charley, Frances and Ivan. Nine of the facility’s netting poles were snapped when Charley roared ashore Aug. 13. McGrath rebuilt and reopened, but only for three days before Frances came through Labor Day weekend with 70 mph winds and took the netting down a second time. And, for the second time, McGrath fixed it. When Ivan hit less than two weeks later, “we kinda gave up,” he says.

Ripped netting was the most common damage ranges reported to Jim McClure, president of The Olde Rangemaster, based in Orlando. “Just about everybody who has a driving range that has netting has lost some of it, if not all of it,” he says. Unlike The Next Nine, though, most facilities’ poles and cables were still intact, he says.

McGrath estimated that his driving range, nine-hole course and restaurant would reopen by mid-October, but the residual wind and rain Northport received from Hurricane Jeanne in late September may have been a sign “that we need to close our range until the end of hurricane season,” he says half jokingly.

That decision, McGrath says, would exponentially add to the “tens of thousands of dollars in revenue” the storms have already cost his business. And insurance, he says, isn’t picking up the tab. McGrath was told he couldn’t claim business interruption because the facility’s main building—where operations are centered—wasn’t structurally damaged. And, after six calls to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, he learned that businesses don’t receive the same assistance as residents. “I feel for others more than I feel for myself,” McGrath says, a thankful note in his voice. “I think people’s needs outweigh what I need, which is why I haven’t pursued it more.”

McGrath is one of likely thousands of golf-oriented businesses in Florida and the Southeast suffering the financial effects of this year’s damaging hurricane season.

Adverse Weather Insurance Group, which offers coverage for golf course properties, estimates that Florida courses lost $12.6 million in greens fees in the three-day period following Hurricane Frances’ slam into the state’s Atlantic coast, with losses in rounds revenue totaling $23 million in the other seven Southeastern states affected by the storm. These losses don’t include revenue from food and beverage, lesson or retail sales or those associated with storm damage and prolonged closure.

Dan O’Neill, an instructor at Summerlin Ridge Golf Center in Fort Myers, Fla., estimates that the center lost three weeks of business as a result of Hurricanes Charley and Ivan. “This definitely affected the normal business we do at this time of year,” he says.

Charley downed trees, lights and netting at the range and executive golf course. An entire corner of the building where carts are stored was ripped off, adding to the mounting repair expenses the center faces.

In Jacksonville, Avenues Golf Driving Range & Sports Grille fared far better when Frances hit the state’s central Atlantic Coast, with just a few fallen trees and a broken roof on the storage shed left as reminders. Located on the state’s northeast coast, the facility escaped the worst of the winds, as the storm arced west, sparing Jacksonville a direct hit.

John Parnell, a sales associate at Ace Golf in Brandon, Fla., just east of Tampa, also reports minimal damage at his facility and the two Ace Golf centers in Riverview and Tampa. “We were pretty lucky,” he says. “We lost power, but we never really got bad winds.”

As Hurricane Jeanne, the fourth storm to pummel Florida in six weeks, made its way north in September’s final week, Parnell was hoping for smooth sailing through Nov. 30, the official end of hurricane season.

What felt like “three weekends straight with hurricanes is not fun,” he says. “This is screwing up golf.”

A list of hurricane recovery resources compiled by the Golf Course Superintendents Association is available here.

Trucking Company, Range at Odds Over Errant Shots
Bedford Golfland is monitoring practicing players more closely after its neighbor Yellow Transportation filed a lawsuit, claiming errant balls are flying into its freight yard. “We’ve been working with [Yellow Transportation] over the last couple of months to try to take some measures that will mitigate and minimize what they claim to be a problem,” says Alexander Walker, an attorney representing Bedford Golfland.
According to news reports, the transporter, just northeast of the driving range, alleges that “one employee has been out of work since April after being struck in the head by a golf ball, and another who tripped on a ball suffered a serious knee injury.”
Walker says the obvious solution—raising the netting—isn’t possible because of a set of high-tension lines that runs between the two properties. “We can’t raise the nets as high as we would want them because once you get above 30 to 35 feet, it gets a little ‘arcy,’” Walker says. So other measures have been taken, including angling the golf mats and tee stalls away from Yellow Transportation and extending the stalls to force golfers to hit balls toward the range. Ground-level netting alongside the grass tees also has been extended so that golfers can’t hit balls in the direction of the truck yard.
In late August, Bedford Golfland successfully postponed a hearing on Yellow Transportation’s request for injunctive relief. Walker says the two businesses will monitor the changes to gauge their effectiveness before going back to court to settle the matter.

Golf 20/20 Launches New Web Site
Scheduled for release in November, the new www.golf2020.com will focus on proven growth strategies for course operators. Users also will be able to download a best practices form from the site to contribute their “great growth of the game” ideas.

Insurance Company Continues Operations Following Chairman’s Death
The board of directors of Allied Specialty Insurance Co. Inc. has announced that normal company operations will continue following the death of board Chairman David H. Smith, who died Sept. 21 at the age of 48. The board of directors has assumed interim CEO responsibilities and will oversee the day-to-day operations of the company.
“David was a brilliant man and he will be greatly missed,” said board member Don Culpepper in a company-issued news release. “Fortunately, he had foreseen this eventuality, and had prepared the company thoroughly for it. Our customers and associates can be assured that we have an excellent management team in place to take the company forward.”
Based in Treasure Island, Fla., Allied Specialty Insurance specializes in insuring the amusement, leisure and entertainment industries.

Jackson Joins Tour Golf Products
Golf component manufacturer Tour Golf Products, in Columbus, Ohio, has hired Jeff Jackson as director of marketing. Jackson, who owns and operates The Golf Range and Fore Seasons Golf in Granville, Ohio, most recently served as director of marketing and communications at Mitchell Golf Equipment Co. in Dayton, Ohio. Jackson will oversee Tour Golf’s marketing efforts, including the design and setup of a retail store and fitting center to open in early 2005 in Columbus. He will also assist with new product, catalog and web site development.

New Products

Golf Ad Mats Puts Advertising at Golfers’ Feet
Pittsburgh-based Golf Ad Mats has created a patent-pending 8-inch advertising disc that it inserts into the center of artificial turf golf practice mats. The color ads, which are printed on waterproof material and laminated for durability, are changed monthly to ensure the quality of the advertising medium. Kevin Matschner, a partner in Golf Ad Mats, told the Pittsburgh Business Times in May that ranges generally receive 10 to 15 percent of the advertising revenues. “Ad rates vary, but a driving range with 50 mats could realize revenue up to $750 a month,” he told the paper. (Golf Ad Mats, 412-449-0100, www.golfadmats.com)

Urethane Adhesive Bonds Artificial Turf
Synthetic Surfaces Inc. offers a new one-part elastomeric urethane adhesive for bonding golf mats, artificial turf and sports and recreational surfaces. Nordot Adhesive #116F has a negligible odor and does not contain water, eliminating problems with disposal and making the adhesive a low-hazard product that is installer- and environmentally friendly. The adhesive can be used straight from its container, or secondary components can be added to the pail to adjust the adhesive for a specific need.
Also available from Synthetic Surfaces is “How to Avoid Hazardous Turf Seams,” an article that discusses the importance of strong, durable seams for synthetic turf putting greens and other sport and recreational surface installations. The article covers seam hazards, seaming methods, adhesive selection, installation considerations and cost. E-mail Synthetic Surfaces for a copy. (Synthetic Surfaces Inc., 908-233-6803, info@nordot.com, www.nordot.com).

Swing Analyzer Works Inside or Out
Golftek Inc. introduces Swing Scan, a swing analysis system that can be used inside or out, even in bright sunlight. Battery-powered and portable, Swing Scan uses high-speed infrared light pulses to measure club head speed, ball speed, clubface angle, ball carry, swing tempo and solid hit factor for left- and right-handed golfers. Data appears on an LCD panel, or Swing Scan can be connected to a PC for tee line or pro shop use. The analyzer retains the results of the last 65 swings in memory even after power has been shut off. A users’ manual includes instructions for determining club head path and impact point between the ball and clubface. An optional net cage and standing mat is available. (Golftek Inc., 800-648-5921, www.golftek.com)

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