Talk about the easiest Feature Interview ever - I started a thread entitled, “If you could ask Mike Keiser one question, what would it be?” and what does Mike do? Answers the first fifty posts!! No muss, no fuss, just boom and it’s done.
Indeed, this attribute of Mike’s to cutting to the task and not getting caught up in rigmarole serves his golf ventures very well.
The unpretentious yet cozy clubhouse at his Dunes Club harks to the time when golf was a simpler affair. A quick nine can be had in one hour and the golfer is almost certain to leave there more relaxed and happy than when he arrived, such is the great beauty and solitude of the property. However, give Mike tons of credit for building a 9 holer – most people in his situation simply don’t have the guts to do anything less than a ‘regulation’ course. Few understand, as Mike does, that golf is meant first and foremost to be a healthy pursuit that enriches one’s life. Golf is NOT meant to become one’s entire life with 5 hour plus rounds soaking up the entire weekend.
His walking only policy at Bandon again highlights Mike’s appreciation of the outdoors and of returning the game to its simpler roots and is an incredible breath of fresh air in the golf cart choked landscape that has become American golf. In less than a decade, Mike has U.S. east coasters forgoing trips to the U.K. for trips to the Pacific Northwest. Outside of the U.K., the Bandon resort is one of the few places that understands that golfers looking to get away from it all and relax are keen to walk 36 or perhaps 54 holes in a day. Mike notes in his Feature Interview that, “No one remembers whose idea 50% replay, no cost for third 18 was, but it began with my certain belief that 36 holes per day has to be guaranteed for those who want it.”
Mike has an innate sense for sticking close to the core values that make golf such a great game. As Mike says, “Golf got overbuilt in the ‘90s and people got more leveraged. The golf market will find a way to right itself. That’s America.” Other owners choking on debt with their monstrously huge clubhouses and mediocre courses slammed onto poor land are painfully finding that the marketplace is increasingly blase to that brand of golf.
Wherever the next spot that Mike selects for another enticing course(s), and whatever architect he gives a big opportunity, the game of golf will most assuredly benefit. Hopefully, others in Mike’s position are learning from his examples.
Hope you enjoy this month’s Feature Interview with one of the great friends to the game.
Cheers,