Rio Olympic course in trouble

[Bingo1976]

This isn't that much different than a lot of courses here in Florida that are closing down. For many it's a slow and tedious death. First they are cutting staff. First to go are the ones keeping the course looking and playing good. Then the pro shop staff members are cut to the bone.

 

Then you start to notice that the course isn't being maintained any longer. Bunkers overgrown with grass and weeds. Fairways with bare spots and crab grass. Rough filled with various weeds. Ball washers empty and/or broken.

 

At some point carts start to show signs of wear. A lack of maintenance shows.

 

Prices drop. Then drop some more.

 

And then they close.

 

And this is in an environment where there are people playing, there is money to be spent, and the weather is almost always perfect.

 

I have often asked myself how in the world courses could possibly hope to survive in less than ideal areas where play isn't as popular when they are dying in a state where the game should thrive. The answer is fairly straightforward and simple. There were too many built and even in a popular golf area there isn't enough play to fill that many courses.

And so it is in Brazil. Even one course may be one too many in an area where poverty prohibits playing a game of luxury and expense. Surely the IOC could have predicted and foreseen this inevitable outcome.

 

This cannot be true unless Florida is run by them pesky commies.....

 

The truth is that the world is in an economic crisis - America has the luxury of printing more money to paper over some of the cracks/kick the can in the way that a country like Brazil can't. See also the Euro and British Pound.

[Medic]

This isn't that much different than a lot of courses here in Florida that are closing down. For many it's a slow and tedious death. First they are cutting staff. First to go are the ones keeping the course looking and playing good. Then the pro shop staff members are cut to the bone.

 

Then you start to notice that the course isn't being maintained any longer. Bunkers overgrown with grass and weeds. Fairways with bare spots and crab grass. Rough filled with various weeds. Ball washers empty and/or broken.

 

At some point carts start to show signs of wear. A lack of maintenance shows.

 

Prices drop. Then drop some more.

 

And then they close.

 

And this is in an environment where there are people playing, there is money to be spent, and the weather is almost always perfect.

 

I have often asked myself how in the world courses could possibly hope to survive in less than ideal areas where play isn't as popular when they are dying in a state where the game should thrive. The answer is fairly straightforward and simple. There were too many built and even in a popular golf area there isn't enough play to fill that many courses.

And so it is in Brazil. Even one course may be one too many in an area where poverty prohibits playing a game of luxury and expense. Surely the IOC could have predicted and foreseen this inevitable outcome.

 

This cannot be true unless Florida is run by them pesky commies.....

 

The truth is that the world is in an economic crisis - America has the luxury of printing more money to paper over some of the cracks/kick the can in the way that a country like Brazil can't. See also the Euro and British Pound.

 

Agree that the world is in turmoil.

 

But here in Florida the business model in golf for years was "if you build it they will come". Too many were built (some in some really rural areas where no tourist would ever go) and many have closed up. In my area alone in the last 5 years or so I can count 4 courses that have closed up. One of them hosted the LPGA Qualifiers in 2009. In addition there are three other courses on the verge. One is a weed infested goat farm already. One is decent but is always empty because they are overpriced. And one is seeking new owners - not likely. Needs a lot of work.

 

Of the ones that closed one was in a subdivision and the homeowners who had properties bordering the course fought hard to save it. To no avail. They are going to build condos.

 

Here in Florida if you are going to build a course it had better be easily accessible to the tourist or exclusive private and well funded. Otherwise it's a temporary course at best. This has nothing to do with Commies here in Florida - it is simple supply and demand. Capitalism at its finest.

[minteq]

I will see the course in two weeks, when I go to Brazil on business. I was there the day before the Olympics, and it was looking good. I was going to try and play it this time, maybe not. I will be interested in seeing what has happened to the course.

[Medic]

I will see the course in two weeks, when I go to Brazil on business. I was there the day before the Olympics, and it was looking good. I was going to try and play it this time, maybe not. I will be interested in seeing what has happened to the course.

 

Stay safe! Definitely try to get some photos for us.

[minteq]

I will see the course in two weeks, when I go to Brazil on business. I was there the day before the Olympics, and it was looking good. I was going to try and play it this time, maybe not. I will be interested in seeing what has happened to the course.

 

Stay safe! Definitely try to get some photos for us.

 

Thanks, will do!

[rawdog]

Was hoping I never had to pull this pic out again...

 

Anyone want to predict what this course will look like next year at this time?

 

http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/1219700-olympics-golf-the-official-discussion-thread-merged/page__st__510

[hdr_ric]

This isn't that much different than a lot of courses here in Florida that are closing down. For many it's a slow and tedious death. First they are cutting staff. First to go are the ones keeping the course looking and playing good. Then the pro shop staff members are cut to the bone.

 

Then you start to notice that the course isn't being maintained any longer. Bunkers overgrown with grass and weeds. Fairways with bare spots and crab grass. Rough filled with various weeds. Ball washers empty and/or broken.

 

At some point carts start to show signs of wear. A lack of maintenance shows.

 

Prices drop. Then drop some more.

 

And then they close.

 

And this is in an environment where there are people playing, there is money to be spent, and the weather is almost always perfect.

 

I have often asked myself how in the world courses could possibly hope to survive in less than ideal areas where play isn't as popular when they are dying in a state where the game should thrive. The answer is fairly straightforward and simple. There were too many built and even in a popular golf area there isn't enough play to fill that many courses.

And so it is in Brazil. Even one course may be one too many in an area where poverty prohibits playing a game of luxury and expense. Surely the IOC could have predicted and foreseen this inevitable outcome.

 

This cannot be true unless Florida is run by them pesky commies.....

 

The truth is that the world is in an economic crisis - America has the luxury of printing more money to paper over some of the cracks/kick the can in the way that a country like Brazil can't. See also the Euro and British Pound.

 

Agree that the world is in turmoil.

 

But here in Florida the business model in golf for years was "if you build it they will come". Too many were built (some in some really rural areas where no tourist would ever go) and many have closed up. In my area alone in the last 5 years or so I can count 4 courses that have closed up. One of them hosted the LPGA Qualifiers in 2009. In addition there are three other courses on the verge. One is a weed infested goat farm already. One is decent but is always empty because they are overpriced. And one is seeking new owners - not likely. Needs a lot of work.

 

Of the ones that closed one was in a subdivision and the homeowners who had properties bordering the course fought hard to save it. To no avail. They are going to build condos.

 

Here in Florida if you are going to build a course it had better be easily accessible to the tourist or exclusive private and well funded. Otherwise it's a temporary course at best. This has nothing to do with Commies here in Florida - it is simple supply and demand. Capitalism at its finest.

 

I think he was being sarcastic, guy back on page 3 posted that he course in Brazil went downhill due the the country being a leftist/commie haven or something similar. Pretty sure Bingo was just poking fun at his backwards cold war era belief.