Page 55 - August Sun Rays_Flipbook

GOLF

Non-resident play: why it’s important

Submitted by Erik Beyer, PGA, Head Golf Professional, Legacy Hills Golf Club

Every golf course strives to fill daily a variety of reasons, non-resident golf-
tee sheets. While 100% usage is ers are often looking for afternoon tee
impossible, golf courses strive to times, and SunCity Texas has plenty of

get as close as they can, as higher tee them. Outside play comes in two primary

sheet usage usually coincides with more forms: general non-resident play and tour-

revenue. naments.

Based on the playing habits of Sun City Through June 2016, general non-resident
Texas’ resident golfers, most morning tee play has resulted in $163,099, of which
times are filled daily. Afternoons are a
different story, especially during the hot $95,019 was booked through Golfnow. PHOTO BY JOHN JOHNSON
summer months. If residents prefer not Tournaments have generated $100,401.
to play in the afternoon, how do we maxi- The 2016 budget for these two line items amount of revenue that is critical in help-
mize the usage of these times? is $421,000 total and - based on current ing achieve revenue goals.
trends - that number is likely to surpass
It’s important to note that no general out-
This is where outside play comes in. For $450,000. This would be a significant side play, which includes times booked
using Golfnow, is allowed prior to Chel-
Men’s Golf Association (MGA) News sea processing. This means that any
non-resident looking to book a tee time
Submitted by Steven Ritzwoller, President, MGA Board of Directors is restricted to whatever is left after pro-
Contact: 512 591-7717 or [email protected] cessing occurs, ensuring residents have
Board Meeting: Monday, August 1, 2:15 p.m., AC, MR 3 priority access.

We are in the midst of a typical Texas each of you “protect the field” when seeing From time to time, opportunities arise
summer, with long days almost too hot any infraction. Let the offending player making it worthwhile to “rent” a golf
for golfing. But fall weather is getting know at the time that he is not following course for a tournament due to the rev-
close, and with it will come our final a rule. If it persists do not sign the score enue it can generate. In April, the 6A
three tournaments of the year: the Club card, and report the offense to the pro High School State Tournament effec-
Championship in September and the Fall or play day director. Golf is based on tively rented Legacy Hills for two days,
Member-Member and Member-Guest in individual honesty and breaking rules resulting in a net profit of nearly $24,000.
October. Wednesday play day events give or managing one’s handicap cannot be Other events may reserve a morning or
you the opportunity to sharpen your game tolerated. an afternoon. Whatever the case, it is
to be ready for these tournaments. important to note that the fees collected
Do you have friends or neighbors who play make these rentals worthwhile.
This month we will begin to discuss filling golf but are not MGA members? The cost of
board positions for 2017. If interested, membership for the remainder of the year Our resident golfers are always our prior-
please contact a member of the MGA is only $10. This provides the opportunity ity. However, it can be good business to
board to let us know your wishes. We to try the MGA, have five months of play occasionally capitalize on these outside
hope to add new members to the board days, two quarterly meetings with lunch, renters, which not only serve to lessen
with fresh ideas from their personal and three tournaments. There are plenty the revenue required from resident golfers
experiences. of opportunities to get back much more but also keep fees lower than they might
than the nominal cost. otherwise be without this important rev-
We do occasionally hear of players not enue source.
following the rules of golf and ask that

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