Next Golf Course Boom Town?

« **on:** February 07, 2006, 02:27:12 PM »

I have heard some talk about a new resort coming to Tunica, Ms. I believe it would include 2 or 3 golf courses. I know one is a Nicklaus and the other is a Greg Norman course. Currently Tunica has 3 golf courses. With Tunica becoming one of the most popular gambling spots in the country, do you think this coud be one of the next golf course boom areas. Could it become like Vegas?

What are some other cities or resort areas that you feel will see a boom in the construction of golf courses over the next few years?

« **Reply #1 on:** February 07, 2006, 02:37:46 PM »

The sandhills in Nebraska seem to be getting a fair share, especially in terms of demographics. When all the courses are built the number of holes per population should be pretty high.

« **Reply #2 on:** February 07, 2006, 02:41:56 PM »

Some areas are becoming BUST towns. I was in Orlando last week at a non-golf meeting and saw in the local paper that there are over 20 courses for sale in the general vicinity, as well as at least one that has shut down. A bank is trying to sell a package of three courses at fire sale prices. No sale as a package, they might be shut down as well.

Geoff Shackleford might have been onto something with his book, The Future of Golf, which I am reading right now. He is right about a lot of things.

« **Reply #3 on:** February 07, 2006, 02:51:45 PM »

any names of courses you can remember Bill?

« **Reply #4 on:** February 07, 2006, 02:55:13 PM »

Sounds like a good book,
I am going to Orlando in 3 weeks to play Champions Gate International and National. Also playing both Orange County National courses. It seems everything is moving south/west of Orlando and even Kissimmee. The new Reunion resort looks nice.

I lived in Memphis for a year back in the late 90's when the Grand Casino and Cottonwood were built (also was one lane road to get there). Every time I travel back I make sure I stay/gamble there and golf at Cottonwood. You can see that Tunica has plenty of room to grow. Plus, there are only a couple of golf courses in Memphis area worth playing.........

Martin

« **Reply #5 on:** February 07, 2006, 03:16:25 PM »

Bill--

I was in Orlando for the PGA Show and sure seemed as if the golf courses I saw were all busy. Not knowing what golf courses are on the sale block, would you say that courses that are in trouble in the Orlando area are "lower end." I visited a course in the Clermont area last year on nice rolling terrain that was in run down condition as the surrounding development did not take off. There are at least two more courses on the horizon in the Clermont area at least, one being a Crenshaw/Coore.

« **Reply #6 on:** February 07, 2006, 03:20:18 PM »

Adam, I wish the maid had not thrown out that paper because I don't have the list. But I think these were mostly lower end residential courses. Some of the resident groups were panicky about having to take over financial responsibility and management. I don't blame them!

« **Reply #7 on:** February 07, 2006, 04:14:02 PM »

Quote from: Adam_Messix on February 07, 2006, 03:16:25 PM

Bill--

I visited a course in the Clermont area last year on nice rolling terrain that was in run down condition as the surrounding development did not take off.

That wouldn't be Palisades, would it? I played there about a year ago and it was pretty rough around the edges.

« **Reply #8 on:** February 07, 2006, 06:25:58 PM »

Keep an eye on the Brooksville, Florida area. Tampa is moving that way and a lot of big developers are buying land.

Steve

« **Reply #9 on:** February 07, 2006, 08:58:17 PM »

Here is one article from Orlando about courses for sale:

Orlando Courses for sale

« **Reply #10 on:** February 07, 2006, 09:00:10 PM »

With Philadelphia about to become the 21st Century American City, I think we'll see a resurgance of golf (especially public golf) in the area.

« **Reply #11 on:** February 07, 2006, 10:18:10 PM »

John, that's the article I was referring to. Thanks.

« **Reply #12 on:** February 07, 2006, 10:30:25 PM »

any thoughts on the New Mexico, especially Sante Fe and Alburquerque

« **Reply #13 on:** February 07, 2006, 10:34:41 PM »

Tucker, Water may be too big an issue to consider Nm. a golf course building boomtown, but the recent add-ons to the golf circut, make up in quality with what we lack in quantity.

« **Reply #14 on:** February 08, 2006, 07:55:06 AM »

How about Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. I know this mite seem bias, because I am the first assistant at the new Tom Fazio golf course at Corales Golf Club-PUNTACANA Resort & Club. But after speaking with people in the golf course industry, they feel Punta Cana, will turn out as what Cabo was and is now. There will be 3 Jack Nicklaus Signature courses at CAPCANA, the Fazio Course up the road, PB Dye's course, La Cana at the PUNTACANA Resort & Club, and the Nick Faldo course about 20 minutes, the new Nick Price as well. So I just think this specifc area is booming, and at a fast rate.

« **Reply #15 on:** February 08, 2006, 07:59:17 AM »

There is a large development north of LasVegas called Coyote Creek maybe. 14 courses eventually with a totally planned community around it

« **Reply #16 on:** February 08, 2006, 08:21:00 AM »

I would look to the various native american territories that have spawned casinos. The amount of disposable revenue is outrageous and should only grow as legalized gambling spreads its influence. Foxwoods and Turning Stone are two examples of this trend, and I know there are many more.

On a related topic, are courses built on reservations exempt from state and federal environmental/zoning laws? Is it the same permitting process?

« **Reply #17 on:** February 08, 2006, 09:05:51 AM »

John--

Now that you mention it, Palisades was a little rough around the edges, but that wasn't the course I was talking about. The course I mentioned was even rougher than that.

Palisades is another solid, fun Joe Lee effort that I found very enjoyable, especially the first couple of times I visited when the place looked and played great.

« **Reply #18 on:** February 08, 2006, 09:14:45 AM »

Shanghai and other metropolitan areas of China--both present and planned. I know there's been a sort of moratorium on course development in China but I have it on pretty good authority that there is going to be another wave of course building. Hopefully, due to water shortages, they'll see the need for firm and fast classic era type courses.

« **Reply #19 on:** February 08, 2006, 09:29:00 AM »

What about area outside the US?

I have heard that Cyprus is really trying to build some courses to improve tourism.

« **Reply #20 on:** February 08, 2006, 11:46:17 AM »

There's an effort starting here to promote the California Central Coast as a golf (as well as wine) destination. About a dozen courses are joining together to form the Central Coast Golf Trail, including courses in Northern Santa Barbara county and San Luis Obispo county.

In a recent interview with Monarch Dunes architect Damian Pascuzzo, he shares "the amenities the Central Coast offers will just add to the area's allure. I absolutely think this area will be the next great golf destination. Geographically, it is an easy getaway from San Francisco or Los Angeles. And, think about it: Where would you rather go in June or July to play golf? In South Carolina, where it is 90 degrees out with 90-percent humidity, or the Central Coast?"

The showcase of the national pitch for Central Coast golf could be Monarch Dunes. Add other attractions like wineries, Hearst Castle and the beach, and the Central Coast could reap big tourist dividends.

Source: Monarch Dunes to showcase Central Coast Golf

« **Reply #21 on:** February 08, 2006, 08:11:22 PM »

Being an Atlantan, I wish that the GSGA or another local group would market Atlanta as a golf destination or at least a great place to visit with some great golf.

« **Reply #22 on:** February 08, 2006, 09:45:51 PM »

Florida' Nature Coast-- north of Tampa around Black Diamond is Florida's last frontier

NC foothills and Blue Ridge Mountains. West of Asheville.

Pacific Northwest, Park City, Utah is already booming, Big Sky Montana, Snake River, Wyoming, China, Santa Fe?

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