[ back ]
Heavy rainfall puts stress on golf course
(by Sue Reid - August 24, 2011)
Heavy rainfall puts stress on golf course
By SUE REID
Almost double the amount of rainfall this year compared to last has resulted in tremendous stress on Grantwood Golf course, Solon Recreation Director Donald W. Holub said. Declining revenues are felt by many golf courses, and Grantwood, owned by the city, is no exception, he said.
"Older courses with older drainage have been experiencing the same thing," Mr. Holub said. "There has been a tremendous stress placed on the course because of the weather.
"We won't catch up this year" in terms of revenue, he said.
From Jan. 1 to July 31, revenue is down about $75,000, Mr. Holub said. Last year, revenues in that time frame were about $680,000, and this year they are $605,000. July was a decent month, he said, and within about $6,000 of revenues compared to last year.
"There's probably no way that any course in Ohio will catch up as far as revenues," Mr. Holub said.
Mr. Holub said there were nearly 41 inches of rain this year, compared to a typical amount of about 23.
"Twice this year, we've had over 3 inches of rain," he said. "That doesn't knock out a course for a couple hours, but more like a day or two."
There are about five holes at Grantwood with newer drainage that result in "pristine greens," he said.
"The older ones are suffering because they have a clay underbase and drainage is not as good as the new ones," he said.
Despite the numbers, Mr. Holub said, the course is continuing to creatively market itself and move forward.
"It's all about being creative and doing something different," Mr. Holub said.
Deals are planned for the fall, he said, and the course's driving range continues to be a "golden nugget.
"We're a great practice facility, and that helps," he said.
Mr. Holub said he had expected more outings this year, but many were canceled due to weather.
"It's unfortunate for the golf season in Northeast Ohio, but you can't control it," Mr. Holub said. "Is it a negative? Yes. But we'll survive and move forward and try to make ourselves better because of it."
[ back ]
