More on Nebraska - the next golf paradise?

[Patrick_Mucci]

Pat Mucci...I'm still waiting for you to post the NJ law regarding the owl nesting on your friends property. I doubt you'll ever post it.

How much would you care to bet on your above statement ?[/color]

[Neil Regan]

From the ADA Guidelines:

...[A]ll newly designed, constructed and altered recreation facilities covered by the ADA will be required to comply.

...

Putting Greens

Each putting green must be designed and constructed so that a golf car can enter and exit the green.
The green must be connected by a golf car passage so that a golf car can reach the green.

[Craig Sweet]

Pat Mucci, I shouldn't have to bet anything to get you to post something you said you would post better than a month ago.

The topic being "Nebraska-the next golf paradise?" I agree, unless there is a major population shift, nebraska will remain very isolated and will not warrant many trips for golf.  Of course, if you can get enough high caliber public access golf courses to make a 7-10 day itenerary possible, it might fly. We have a similar problem in Montana with our ski industry. We are too isolated to attract the skiers that go to Utah and Colorado.

[Dan Smoot]

There are few viable great golf locations that are more remote from major airports than Bandon.  Driving to a location like Bandon or Nebraska is not reasonable for the majority of people.  As Bandon has proved, If you build a course on the caliber of Sand Hills or Bandon Dunes in a remote location like Nebraska, without Pebble rates, people will come.  Cost is the issue.  Can you build a world class course/resort and still keep the value reasonable?

I have been to Pebble Beach on two occasions.  I have never played the course because I can simply not justify the cost to play.  Did I want to?  In a heart beat!!  I am not a casual golfer but I do have to look my wife in the eye when I am done.

After playing Wild Horse, driving through the Sand Hills and seeing the Sand Hills golf course pictures posted on this site, the potential is great to create another Bandon property especially if it is somewhat modeled after Bandon Dunes and Sutton Bay that would also include hunting.  Does it have to be located in proximity to a population center?   Not if it is self-contained like Bandon Dunes.  In my stays there,  we never leave the resort.

[Craig Sweet]

Bandon is a couple of hours from Portland. Bandon offers an ocean experience for non-golfers. How far is the nearest large city to Sand Hills? Is it as fun as Portland? How do the rolling sand hills of Nebraska compare to the wild coast of Oregon for fun and adventure?

[Patrick_Mucci]

Dan Smoot,

Bandon has a much longer season than Sand Hills, which is a factor.

I wonder if the financial model would allow for the construction of hotels, cabins and the related infrastructure if Bandon's season was limited to May through September ?

Bandon has an airport that's a half hour away.

Bandon has a casino that's a half hour away.

Bandon has a town or towns that are close by where you can sight see, visit restaurants and engage in other activities.

Bandon has the Pacific Ocean and incredible bluffs which are always an attraction.

There is diversity that begins at the coast and extends inland.

There is NO DIVERSITY at Sand Hills.

[cary lichtenstein]

One thing that has not been mentioned is whether or not banks would be willing to finance resort/golf/casino/hotel projects in Nebraska.

I think it would take someone like Marriot to bite the bullet, but I doubt their financial model would fit.

[Tom_Doak]

Cary:  Only a local bank would even think of financing a hotel or golf course out there, and they'd struggle to do it.  The short season is a huge handicap vs. a place with a twelve-month season.

[Mike Hendren]

One thing that has not been mentioned is whether or not banks would be willing to finance resort/golf/casino/hotel projects in Nebraska.

I think it would take someone like Marriot to bite the bullet, but I doubt their financial model would fit.

It would depend solely on the financial strength of the borrower/guarantor.  A lien on the property would only be required for sport/show.  Toss any financial model / feasibility study right out the window.  

Debt is an unforgiving and inflexible master.
-Mark Twain