Is Your Golf Course Ready For "Off" Season?

Contingent of weather and region, Golf courses most typically host a nine-month season. As the weather conditions become less than favorable and golfers make room to store their clubs in the garage, course managers and superintendents are able to use that time to make improvements to the course and facilities with little or no inconvenience and address business management responsibilities.

To remodel or not to remodel is a good question. Many factors are involved in the decision to give your aging course a tune up. As golf course remodeling is a complicated process, and involves a team of golf industry professionals, The American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA) lists the six most common reasons to remodel:

• Replacing old, worn out components
  
• Correcting hard-to-maintain areas
• Making adjustments to improve weak holes
• Improving aesthetics
• Restoring historic value
• Making the course as good as it can be
  

Further, the ASGA offers free resources on their website, including a downloadable brochure entitled, “The Golf Course Remodeling Process - Questions & Answers.” Topics range from the most basic – “Why remodel?” – to how a project can be funded.

The offseason also provides the opportunity to complete a variety of business management responsibilities including:

• Annual plans
  
• Budget
• Staffing plans
  

Annual plans should be updated and changed on a regular interval and according to requirements. Having a comprehensive business plan and updating is essential working procedures.

Budgeting should be drawn up carefully and in close consultation with the course manager. The R & A Course Management Best Practice Guidelines suggests taking into consideration the following points when planning a course budget:

• A budget should be approved in advance and full details of estimated costs should be included. Allowances should be made for contingencies and finance reserved for them.
• Regular comparisons between budgeted and actual costs should be made. Cost benefits should be actual savings and not the result of expenditure being deferred to a later date.
• In some instances the management will have to take into account in their budgets any investors in the business who require a return on their capital
• Legal requirements such as legislation affecting licenses and other factors
• Health and safety, taking into account new legislation and cost of implementing it
• Risk assessments with regard to staff training for new equipment and machinery
• Education and training requirements for existing and any newly appointed staff

Staff development is a requirement for golf courses managers. A course is generally staffed on a seasonal schedule to meet demand. According to Golf Course News, about 55 percent of golf course superintendents say more than half of their workforce is primarily seasonal. A big money saver is in staffing and proper planning. Temps, college students and internships can help the seasonal rush as their availability is generally seasonal as well.

Equipment is also a focus for the golf course superintendent during the offseason. Everything from purchasing to various mechanical repairs such as engine tune-ups, reel sharpening, and irrigation systems in need of maintenance. Additionally, equipment needs to be protected against any possible extreme cold spells.

Overall, there is really no break in the business world of golf. A smart superintendent will realize that just when the volume of play declines, his or her volume of work increases.

Making use of the offseason effectively is critical and good business.