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ENLARGE
John Renslow
All golf courses are not created equal. A few years ago, I was invited to play one of the country's most exclusive golf courses. As we were leaving the 16th green and on our way to the 17th tee my caddy pointed out a buoy just off the California coastline. Upon our arrival at the tee he said, “That's the suggestion box.”
About this same Club it is said that when a member has a complaint, they are to write two letters addressed to the Board of Directors. One details the complaint, the other is a letter of resignation. The Board of Directors will then choose which letter to accept.
During these challenging economic times, some golf course properties will be more adversely affected than others. Certain clubs will not be affected at all. Today, Get Into Golf would like to explain different types of golf course ownership and/or management.
This is part of our ongoing effort to develop average players into knowledgeable veterans and to give golfers of all skill levels a better perspective on golf courses in their area.
The original, recognized golf courses were organized golf clubs, groups of avid golfers who all paid their fair share to operate their home course. This type of operation continues to this day and is often referred to as a “proprietary club.”
Each proprietary member has a vested interest in their club and generally elects a representative governance to develop and maintain the club's bylaws and standing rules. This may be golf in its purist form; members often put the club's ambition above their own and the club becomes a home away from home.
Typically, these golf courses were designed by renowned golf course architects and are kept in tournament condition by experienced golf course superintendents. A local example of this property type is the Alta Sierra Country Club.
A member-owned, proprietary club does not have to be exclusive (private, members only), a good number are also made available to the public. This is known as Semi-Private.
Private and Semi-Private clubs might also be owned an individual or partnership. These “for profit” enterprises sell non-proprietary memberships. There are many success stories, yet this is often an interesting relationship, because the desires of ownership and the desires of membership are not always in one accord.
Of course, an individual or partnership might also operate a course that is available to the public. This type of property is known as a daily fee course. Primarily, golfers pay a greens fee on a daily (per round) basis to play. The golf courses are usually in good condition with the fees varying greatly depending upon locale.
For the Gold Country, a couple of examples would be The Ridge Golf Course in Auburn and DarkHorse Golf Course in southern Nevada County.
Probably the most famous example would be Pebble Beach Golf Links. For just $495 you too can get in a round at one of the world's elite courses. Wow, that's a chunk of change, but if you can break the piggy bank, it might just be worth it.
Another, more common golf course property is developed by a municipality, such as a county or city. In a broad sense, the residents of the community foot the bill for the creation of the course (through taxes, etc.) and, in turn, the golf course provides relatively inexpensive golf (recreation) for its citizens.
Often times this limitation on revenue and high traffic results in a less than perfect track, but a lot of folks wouldn't have it any other way and frequent their hometown course.
Thankfully, we have a few options. We can pay as we play or we can buy into something bigger than ourselves and play as often as we want. The most important thing is to get out there and play.
John Renslow is general manager and director of golf at Alta Sierra Country Club. Please contact John with your questions or comments at jrenslow@pga.com.
About this same Club it is said that when a member has a complaint, they are to write two letters addressed to the Board of Directors. One details the complaint, the other is a letter of resignation. The Board of Directors will then choose which letter to accept.
During these challenging economic times, some golf course properties will be more adversely affected than others. Certain clubs will not be affected at all. Today, Get Into Golf would like to explain different types of golf course ownership and/or management.
This is part of our ongoing effort to develop average players into knowledgeable veterans and to give golfers of all skill levels a better perspective on golf courses in their area.
The original, recognized golf courses were organized golf clubs, groups of avid golfers who all paid their fair share to operate their home course. This type of operation continues to this day and is often referred to as a “proprietary club.”
Each proprietary member has a vested interest in their club and generally elects a representative governance to develop and maintain the club's bylaws and standing rules. This may be golf in its purist form; members often put the club's ambition above their own and the club becomes a home away from home.
Typically, these golf courses were designed by renowned golf course architects and are kept in tournament condition by experienced golf course superintendents. A local example of this property type is the Alta Sierra Country Club.
A member-owned, proprietary club does not have to be exclusive (private, members only), a good number are also made available to the public. This is known as Semi-Private.
Private and Semi-Private clubs might also be owned an individual or partnership. These “for profit” enterprises sell non-proprietary memberships. There are many success stories, yet this is often an interesting relationship, because the desires of ownership and the desires of membership are not always in one accord.
Of course, an individual or partnership might also operate a course that is available to the public. This type of property is known as a daily fee course. Primarily, golfers pay a greens fee on a daily (per round) basis to play. The golf courses are usually in good condition with the fees varying greatly depending upon locale.
For the Gold Country, a couple of examples would be The Ridge Golf Course in Auburn and DarkHorse Golf Course in southern Nevada County.
Probably the most famous example would be Pebble Beach Golf Links. For just $495 you too can get in a round at one of the world's elite courses. Wow, that's a chunk of change, but if you can break the piggy bank, it might just be worth it.
Another, more common golf course property is developed by a municipality, such as a county or city. In a broad sense, the residents of the community foot the bill for the creation of the course (through taxes, etc.) and, in turn, the golf course provides relatively inexpensive golf (recreation) for its citizens.
Often times this limitation on revenue and high traffic results in a less than perfect track, but a lot of folks wouldn't have it any other way and frequent their hometown course.
Thankfully, we have a few options. We can pay as we play or we can buy into something bigger than ourselves and play as often as we want. The most important thing is to get out there and play.
John Renslow is general manager and director of golf at Alta Sierra Country Club. Please contact John with your questions or comments at jrenslow@pga.com.
