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In down time for golf, Grantwood is looking up
(by Sue Reid - December 02, 2010)
In down time for golf, Grantwood is looking up
By SUE REID
With the golf industry in a "survival mode," the city-owned Grantwood Golf Course will begin to apply recommendations made recently by an advisory board, Solon Recreation Director Donald W. Holub said last week.
"What I am trying to accentuate is the positives," Mr. Holub said. "We have a good staff here, and we need to pull together and understand it's a tough business to be in but try to make the best of it," he said.
"It's unfortunate, but right now golf is in a survival mode," he said. "I think all of the courses are just trying to survive the next couple of years, and, hopefully, everything gets better."
Mr. Holub's comments followed the recent presentation of recommendations by an advisory board comprised of three residents to Solon City Council.
Mr. Holub said he believes the key recommendation is for the course to get an identity. "That is one of the things that, if you are real close to the situation, sometimes it's tougher to see," he said. "Where are we in the golf industry?
"Obviously, we're not a premiere course, and can't demand $100 green fees, but we can give a lot of bang for the buck." The advisory board called that "value oriented," he said.
"I think right now that's what's driving the golf industry," Mr. Holub said of the question, "what's the best value, and how am I going to get the best for the least?" he said. "It's an unfortunate situation, but that's the way the industry is."
Mr. Holub said another key component of the advisory board's recommendation is Grantwood being known as a teaching course. "We have a great driving range, and we need to accentuate that and use it to our advantage," he said.
Although golf now is what's considered the off season, the Grantwood course needs to concentrate on marketing, Mr. Holub said. "We need to make sure gong forward that people know about us and know we're here. I think we're in a good position to do that."
Mr. Holub noted that the course dropped its prices, and it takes almost a two-year cycle for people to realize that has happened. "We're trying to keep those pretty steady for next year," he said of the prices. "I think we will make money this year and, hopefully, more next year."
Mr. Holub said the course is still open, and golfers were playing even last week. "That is unbelievable for Nov. 23 and 24," he said. "The weather this month has been a bonus."
He said December is a good month for the pro shop, as people shop for the holidays.
"November is usually a dead month, and it was pretty good," he said. "It's almost like a bonus for us."
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