World Words purchased by Cabot

[ryan84]

Thoughts?

 

World Woods is some of my favorite golf I have ever played. I think Cabot will allow it to go grow to its true potential (Sand Valley, Streamsong, Etc). I just hope the prices do not get astronomical.

[RichieHunt]

I think it's certainly a positive.  

 

I don't think the really need to re-design any holes outside of if they want re-design/re-route some holes back to the clubhouse.  But that comes with the risk of part of the beauty of Pine Barrens and Rolling Oaks is that they are great, beautiful designs that are the opposite in design style and I wouldn't change that.  There are talks about them building another 18 (there's certainly room for it).

 

But what they need to do is create something that is a hybrid between a destination course and a course that Florida residents will be willing to make the trip out there 1-3x/year to play because it's more affordable than Streamsong.

 

The advantages they have over Streamsong is in the location (and the design) in that they are 30 minutes closer to Streamsong if you're coming from Orlando (metro population of over 2.5M) and Tampa (metro population of 3.1M),.  It's also 1 hour from The Villages (population 130K) and 1 hour from Ocala (Marion County has 350K population) along with the Gilchrist Golf Academy in Howey-in-the-Hills.

 

IMO, they need to:

 

- Install new greens with TifEagle

 

- Clean up the other odds and ends (tee boxes, areas of the fairway that are burned out, get rid of the stupid tree on #18 blocking the tee shot from the back tee, etc.

 

- They need to demolish the clubhouse and start over.  Build something that grand that has quality dining and bar service.  Build quality on-site lodging because there's nothing to do in Brooksville

 

- Try a forecaddie program during winter months, but charge less than Streamsong.

 

- Give fairly substantial discounts to Florida residents that have ID.  If that requires creating your own Photo ID card service, so be it.  Taking the course to the next level is going to depend more on the Florida residents bringing about the good word and spreading that word.

 

I think where they can be comeptitive with Streamsong is by offering amenities that are a half-step below, but at pricing that is also a step cheaper than SS.  But they need on-site lodging, a real clubhouse with a quality dining and bar service experience and really work on and emphasize the driving range and practice area which is far superior to to what Streamsong has to offer.  They should have top quality Titleist practice balls with top quality buckets and a constant, full supply of golf balls at all times so the guests, particularly the lodge guests can work on their game.  

 

They should follow something like Pine Needles although I think they have the land, 2 better course designs and a far better driving range and practice are to be superior to Pine Needles.  Although I would probably abandon the 'lodge' design as it's incredibly outdated and really doesn't fit in Florida.

 

 

 

RH

 

 

 

[ryan84]

7 hours ago, RichieHunt said:

I think it's certainly a positive.  

 

I don't think the really need to re-design any holes outside of if they want re-design/re-route some holes back to the clubhouse.  But that comes with the risk of part of the beauty of Pine Barrens and Rolling Oaks is that they are great, beautiful designs that are the opposite in design style and I wouldn't change that.  There are talks about them building another 18 (there's certainly room for it).

 

But what they need to do is create something that is a hybrid between a destination course and a course that Florida residents will be willing to make the trip out there 1-3x/year to play because it's more affordable than Streamsong.

 

The advantages they have over Streamsong is in the location (and the design) in that they are 30 minutes closer to Streamsong if you're coming from Orlando (metro population of over 2.5M) and Tampa (metro population of 3.1M),.  It's also 1 hour from The Villages (population 130K) and 1 hour from Ocala (Marion County has 350K population) along with the Gilchrist Golf Academy in Howey-in-the-Hills.

 

IMO, they need to:

 

- Install new greens with TifEagle

 

- Clean up the other odds and ends (tee boxes, areas of the fairway that are burned out, get rid of the stupid tree on #18 blocking the tee shot from the back tee, etc.

 

- They need to demolish the clubhouse and start over.  Build something that grand that has quality dining and bar service.  Build quality on-site lodging because there's nothing to do in Brooksville

 

- Try a forecaddie program during winter months, but charge less than Streamsong.

 

- Give fairly substantial discounts to Florida residents that have ID.  If that requires creating your own Photo ID card service, so be it.  Taking the course to the next level is going to depend more on the Florida residents bringing about the good word and spreading that word.

 

I think where they can be comeptitive with Streamsong is by offering amenities that are a half-step below, but at pricing that is also a step cheaper than SS.  But they need on-site lodging, a real clubhouse with a quality dining and bar service experience and really work on and emphasize the driving range and practice area which is far superior to to what Streamsong has to offer.  They should have top quality Titleist practice balls with top quality buckets and a constant, full supply of golf balls at all times so the guests, particularly the lodge guests can work on their game.  

 

They should follow something like Pine Needles although I think they have the land, 2 better course designs and a far better driving range and practice are to be superior to Pine Needles.  Although I would probably abandon the 'lodge' design as it's incredibly outdated and really doesn't fit in Florida.

 

 

 

RH

 

 

 

I 100% agree with everything you said, and from what I've read they seem to agree with us. I am picturing more of a "Sand Valley" for WW. I know in the past college teams would kick off their season down there, I think with improved conditioning and practice facilities it can become that again. A mecca that doesn't need hunting/fishing and expensive steaks.

[Scully13]

World woods has been one of the hidden gems in florida. Expect the influx of $$$ to renovate will result in green fees that will be substantially higher. This will be a resort type course.

[RichieHunt]

1 hour ago, ryan84 said:

I 100% agree with everything you said, and from what I've read they seem to agree with us. I am picturing more of a "Sand Valley" for WW. I know in the past college teams would kick off their season down there, I think with improved conditioning and practice facilities it can become that again. A mecca that doesn't need hunting/fishing and expensive steaks.

 

The driving range is beautiful and really cool because it has so many little areas where you can hit balls from.  But when I've been there, most of the hidden areas weren't allowed for use and they basically gave you a small bag of crappy range balls.  To be frank, they just need to try and upkeep the grass and provide the customer service that a place like Westlake Village (where George Gankas teaches and Matt Wolff hits balls) and that would be sufficient enough of a driving range experience.  If they wanted to make that experience better, they should consider a small 1-2 bay indoor facility with instruction and clubfitting/club repair (like True Spec Golf) and also get some sort of canopy area for the heat and the rain.  Legends Resort in Myrtle Beach has a nice portable canopy on their range.  

 

They have the massive putting green which is nice, but they need more flatter practice putting surfaces.  The practice area and practice holes are fine.

 

I just think that if they are going to rebuild the brand it's going to come thru Florida residents and they need to offer them quality discounts.  If too many golfers are getting discounts, then put a cap on the number of players that can play with the Florida resident discount per day.

 

 

 

 

RH

[TM_HOYER]

47 minutes ago, RichieHunt said:

 

The driving range is beautiful and really cool because it has so many little areas where you can hit balls from.  But when I've been there, most of the hidden areas weren't allowed for use and they basically gave you a small bag of crappy range balls.  To be frank, they just need to try and upkeep the grass and provide the customer service that a place like Westlake Village (where George Gankas teaches and Matt Wolff hits balls) and that would be sufficient enough of a driving range experience.  If they wanted to make that experience better, they should consider a small 1-2 bay indoor facility with instruction and clubfitting/club repair (like True Spec Golf) and also get some sort of canopy area for the heat and the rain.  Legends Resort in Myrtle Beach has a nice portable canopy on their range.  

 

They have the massive putting green which is nice, but they need more flatter practice putting surfaces.  The practice area and practice holes are fine.

 

I just think that if they are going to rebuild the brand it's going to come thru Florida residents and they need to offer them quality discounts.  If too many golfers are getting discounts, then put a cap on the number of players that can play with the Florida resident discount per day.

 

 

 

 

RH

Any income from Florida residents needs to be supplement income during the slow season and the main income needs to be as a destination location from people flying into Tampa. I live in Ocala and most golfers between Ocala / The Villages and World Woods live in a community that they will get into the cart in their garage and drive to the course.  Also driving to there from other than Tampa is a pain and not going to get better. A lot of residents are against a Florida Turnpike extension and I can hear I-75 getting backed up in Ocala during tourist season from my lanai.

[jerebear21]

Sounds more like a housing development opportunity for the group as well. Any one living in the tampa Bay Area understands the need for affordable housing which isn’t going to happen any time soon. Homes built in the Wesley chapel area are starting at half a million and it’s almost an hour from down town tampa. The area is booming along the expressway with homes being built constantly pass the lutz exits on the way to brooksville. I see this more as a higher end community being built out. Something along the likes of Dublin Ohio where muirfield was built. Speaking to locals while I was up there the area was nothing and it’s quite a hike from Columbus. After jack built the course communities after communities came in and now it’s a bustling area with tons of things happening.  The tampa Bay Area is expanding and improving the golf is icing on the cake.