Where are you playing tomorrow - Chicago (Round2)

[DavePelz4]

Played last Saturday at St. Andrews and the conditions were OK. Still some winter clean up to do but the greens rolled surprisingly well. More shockingly was the 5 hour round. You'd think that the idiots that are playing this time of year would at least play fast.

 

There...I got the first slow play b**** out of the way.

[DavePelz4]

Wow...some of our public golf courses are in serious financial trouble! Hopefully the non-golf revenues, including the restaurants/bars are covering things. We all might need to drink more post round.

 

http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20160302/news/160309804/

[Argonne69]

Wow...some of our public golf courses are in serious financial trouble! Hopefully the non-golf revenues, including the restaurants/bars are covering things. We all might need to drink more post round.

 

http://www.dailyhera...news/160309804/

 

How much profit does a tennis court or softball diamond generate? Yeah, I didn't think so. Muni's provide recreation for the locals.

 

If more courses would address the pace of play issue, I might be inclined to spend a few more $$$ post-round. However, I'm not spending a dime after slogging through a 5 hour round.

[VNutz]

Interesting that Glen Ellyn is on the not making money list, as Village Links just revamped and expanded that restaurant, and it seems pretty packed whenever I'm there. When it was being built I said it was a waste to do that much work and not add a wedding reception facility, but what do I know?

 

Seeing Prairie Landing in the black reminds me, any further talk of them going under like we heard late last year?

[Argonne69]

Those expenses look out of wack. I'm curious if they include pro-rated capital improvements. How does Wheaton spend $7.2M in one year? $3.9M at Glen Ellyn?

 

How can there be a multi-million dollar difference in operating expenses between comparable courses?

[DavePelz4]

Interesting that Glen Ellyn is on the not making money list, as Village Links just revamped and expanded that restaurant, and it seems pretty packed whenever I'm there. When it was being built I said it was a waste to do that much work and not add a wedding reception facility, but what do I know?

 

Seeing Prairie Landing in the black reminds me, any further talk of them going under like we heard late last year?

 

VL surprised me too. I think the article is purely golf course related and not all inclusive of food/beverage, etc.

[DavePelz4]

Wow...some of our public golf courses are in serious financial trouble! Hopefully the non-golf revenues, including the restaurants/bars are covering things. We all might need to drink more post round.

 

http://www.dailyhera...news/160309804/

 

How much profit does a tennis court or softball diamond generate? Yeah, I didn't think so. Muni's provide recreation for the locals.

 

If more courses would address the pace of play issue, I might be inclined to spend a few more $$$ post-round. However, I'm not spending a dime after slogging through a 5 hour round.

 

Softball diamonds have leagues which pay something towards maintenance and umpires. Definitely not a money maker though.

[VNutz]

Wow...some of our public golf courses are in serious financial trouble! Hopefully the non-golf revenues, including the restaurants/bars are covering things. We all might need to drink more post round.

 

http://www.dailyhera...news/160309804/

 

How much profit does a tennis court or softball diamond generate? Yeah, I didn't think so. Muni's provide recreation for the locals.

 

If more courses would address the pace of play issue, I might be inclined to spend a few more $$$ post-round. However, I'm not spending a dime after slogging through a 5 hour round.

 

Softball diamonds have leagues which pay something towards maintenance and umpires. Definitely not a money maker though.

 

If you have kids leagues, primarily tournaments with entry fees, they can turn into money makers. And there's generally far less upkeep.

[Argonne69]

Interesting that Glen Ellyn is on the not making money list, as Village Links just revamped and expanded that restaurant, and it seems pretty packed whenever I'm there. When it was being built I said it was a waste to do that much work and not add a wedding reception facility, but what do I know?

 

Seeing Prairie Landing in the black reminds me, any further talk of them going under like we heard late last year?

 

VL surprised me too. I think the article is purely golf course related and not all inclusive of food/beverage, etc.

 

I highly doubt that. How can Wheaton have $7.8M in revenue from 27 holes of golf, and DuPage County only getting $2.8M from 2 full courses? How does Glen Ellyn pull in double Oak Brook?

[TheBear95]

Interesting that Glen Ellyn is on the not making money list, as Village Links just revamped and expanded that restaurant, and it seems pretty packed whenever I'm there. When it was being built I said it was a waste to do that much work and not add a wedding reception facility, but what do I know?

 

Seeing Prairie Landing in the black reminds me, any further talk of them going under like we heard late last year?

 

VL surprised me too. I think the article is purely golf course related and not all inclusive of food/beverage, etc.

 

I highly doubt that. How can Wheaton have $7.8M in revenue from 27 holes of golf, and DuPage County only getting $2.8M from 2 full courses? How does Glen Ellyn pull in double Oak Brook?

 

Yeah, it has to account for all revenues and expenses that the golf course operation (golf, f&b, rental space) brings in.

 

On the golf side of things, that article is not painting a full picture. For the courses in the red, you would need to see the breakdown on the golf operation vs. restaurant/bar/event operation. While I don't see golf being a revenue generator, it could break-even or produce just a minor loss. It would not shock me to find out that for a number of these courses the bar/restaurant is the dog of the operation. Restaurants are expensive ventures and the competition is fierce.

[disk]

How in the world does Oak Brook not have higher earnings? Their regular tee time, golf and range memberships are crazy expensive for the quality of the course and it is always pretty full not to mention the bar/restaurant seems to be doing well.

[DavePelz4]

Actually those figures do include food/beverage/events. Apologies.

[Argonne69]

How in the world does Oak Brook not have higher earnings? Their regular tee time, golf and range memberships are crazy expensive for the quality of the course and it is always pretty full not to mention the bar/restaurant seems to be doing well.

 

That's a pretty small restaurant, no? Especially if you compare it to the Taj Mahal at Arrowhead.

[VNutz]

Oak Brook's restaurant is little more than a sandwich shop at the turn from what I remember.

[disk]

I use the term restaurant pretty loosely as I guess it is just a bar with some food...

[disk]

Interest article though, shows how hard it can be to run courses

[Argonne69]

Interest article though, shows how hard it can be to run courses

 

'Probably the biggest reason why Troon, Billy Casper, Kemper, etc. exist. Expertise, as well as increased buying power through scale of operations. Of course, turning over the operations to a management company is no guarantee that the place won't become a dump through penny pinching.

[jimwgt26]

Interesting that courses rely on restaurant business to turn a profit. Restaurants and food service are tough businesses. Many go broke opening a restaurant.

 

I'm not surprised Glen Ellyn is in the red. Reserve 22, the bar restaurant at Village Links, is terrible. Many times I've waited too long for a server to take my order. In fact, the last time I was there with Lefty and BMan, we walked out. They also have terrible live music. After a round, I want a beer or two and have some fun sharing fishing stories. I don't want to listen to the local saxophone teacher's improvisational jazz quartet. The food is also mediocre at best.

 

I also wonder about the salaries at the facilities losing money. Is the mayor's brother in law collecting a six figure salary to run the joint?

[apprenti23]

Those expenses look out of wack. I'm curious if they include pro-rated capital improvements. How does Wheaton spend $7.2M in one year? $3.9M at Glen Ellyn?

 

How can there be a multi-million dollar difference in operating expenses between comparable courses?

Maybe one bought and sold a cart fleet, maintenance equipment, or other capital improvements. You really need to look at a few years to get a better idea.

[DavePelz4]

Interesting that courses rely on restaurant business to turn a profit. Restaurants and food service are tough businesses. Many go broke opening a restaurant.

 

I'm not surprised Glen Ellyn is in the red. Reserve 22, the bar restaurant at Village Links, is terrible. Many times I've waited too long for a server to take my order. In fact, the last time I was there with Lefty and BMan, we walked out. They also have terrible live music. After a round, I want a beer or two and have some fun sharing fishing stories. I don't want to listen to the local saxophone teacher's improvisational jazz quartet. The food is also mediocre at best.

 

I also wonder about the salaries at the facilities losing money. Is the mayor's brother in law collecting a six figure salary to run the joint?

 

It's a great place to meet a GILF though. It's a regular spot for Lefty and me to work the Grandmother/Grand daughter bit. He likes the grannies.

[VNutz]

Interesting that courses rely on restaurant business to turn a profit. Restaurants and food service are tough businesses. Many go broke opening a restaurant.

 

I'm not surprised Glen Ellyn is in the red. Reserve 22, the bar restaurant at Village Links, is terrible. Many times I've waited too long for a server to take my order. In fact, the last time I was there with Lefty and BMan, we walked out. They also have terrible live music. After a round, I want a beer or two and have some fun sharing fishing stories. I don't want to listen to the local saxophone teacher's improvisational jazz quartet. The food is also mediocre at best.

 

I also wonder about the salaries at the facilities losing money. Is the mayor's brother in law collecting a six figure salary to run the joint?

 

It's a great place to meet a GILF though. It's a regular spot for Lefty and me to work the Grandmother/Grand daughter bit. He likes the grannies.

 

Well, they do share the same bed time.

[DavePelz4]

Interesting that courses rely on restaurant business to turn a profit. Restaurants and food service are tough businesses. Many go broke opening a restaurant.

 

I'm not surprised Glen Ellyn is in the red. Reserve 22, the bar restaurant at Village Links, is terrible. Many times I've waited too long for a server to take my order. In fact, the last time I was there with Lefty and BMan, we walked out. They also have terrible live music. After a round, I want a beer or two and have some fun sharing fishing stories. I don't want to listen to the local saxophone teacher's improvisational jazz quartet. The food is also mediocre at best.

 

I also wonder about the salaries at the facilities losing money. Is the mayor's brother in law collecting a six figure salary to run the joint?

 

It's a great place to meet a GILF though. It's a regular spot for Lefty and me to work the Grandmother/Grand daughter bit. He likes the grannies.

 

Well, they do share the same bed time.

 

His go to line is "Would you like to see my cart seat? "

 

Or

 

"How would you like some Dark Lord and a craft beer? "

[Argonne69]

Boy, I so wanted to go out yesterday, but the low temps and strong winds in the morning were just a tad bit too much. I walked over to my local breakfast restaurant, and it was downright cold. Hopefully the warmer temps and rain this week will melt the final vestiges of winter, and we can get out this weekend.

[geochitown]

hopefully temps stay up as forecast.

soil temperatures key to grass growing, so things are looking good (famous last words...)

 

I'm very excited for the coming season, and for off season swing work results (hopefully).

 

need to start practicing putting/short game shots

[B-Man]

Forecast for Saturday is 60 degrees with a slight chance of birdies.

 

Time for a new thread. 2016 edition.

[Argonne69]

I noticed a few courses were planning to open this weekend. I imagine it'll be cart paths only on some, but the season is upon us.

[Scratch2Plus]

Well, its finally bourbon time, again...

I usually stay off the sauce most of the winter. It just tastes better on the golf course. Well, we played 2/28 at Hilldale, sloppy but playable and I was already buzzed off my arse by the 2nd hole, LoL.

Good times.

[DavePelz4]

Well, its finally bourbon time, again...

I usually stay off the sauce most of the winter. It just tastes better on the golf course. Well, we played 2/28 at Hilldale, sloppy but playable and I was already buzzed off my arse by the 2nd hole, LoL.

Good times.

 

He lives!!!

[Buddha]

I have plans to try to get out, around Rockford, with a friend from work tomorrow. Hopefully the rain will hang off until later, as I see there is a chance.

[stasek]

Survived another addition of Polonia Open by Żywiec tournament held at Heron Bay, FL. Wound up shooting 78, 74, 78 and..... won the tournament :). Almost choked down the stretch (had a 5 stroke lead with 4 holes left) and proceeded to go double, bogey, bogey to go to 18th with 1 stroke lead. With camera rolling, I calmly (yeah right!), made an up and down from behind the green to seize a 1 stroke victory ;).