There seems to be a perception that all budgets are created equal. A quick survey amongst this group will reveal numbers from $250,000 to well north of $1M and all points in between, but what do these figures mean? Trying to compare budgets is like trying to compare apples to oranges. There are simply too many variables to sift through until you get to a meaningful number.
Please don’t blame superintendents for escalating costs to play golf. We’re simply part of a vicious cycle brought on by our own quest for perfection and members/customers who have become accustom to exceptionally high quality year round.
When I started in this business the season was Memorial Day to Labor Day, before and after did not count. We prepared the course for the summer and we repaired it in advance of winter. As the snowbirds flocked home from their tropical vacations we were increasingly questioned as to why the course was not “ready for play” in late March or early April. So we plead our case to our finance committees and were allowed to hire additional labor. Well, October and November are wonderful months to play and expectations carried beyond the end of summer.
Don’t even get me going on the “new” pathogens and insects that ail turf grass these days. Any pathologist will confirm that many of these problems never manifested themselves with the use of “good old days” chemicals. The use of mercury and the like was banned some time ago and for good reason. Today we enjoy a theoretically safer environment even though we have a number of problems to contend with as a result. We are a highly regulated industry, rightfully so, right down to the type of fertilizer being applied in many communities. And the answer to the question “Can’t we live with a bit more disease or insect damage?” is yes we can. I for one would welcome that day, however, once the chemical budget is reduced be prepared to up the seed budget and add in the cost of labor and equipment as well.
To simply suggest raising mowing heights or reducing mowing frequency is an incorrect view on how to reduce maintenance costs. As an example; High mowing heights, coupled with a thunderstorm during a humid stretch in the summer can lead to some fairly devastating pathogens, the quicker the surface dries the greater the chance we can reduce an environment for pathogen growth. Increased incidents of disease obviously put more stress on the turf which may lead to failure which may lead to a reduction in play and loss of revenue.
The good news is that there are most definitely ways to reduce maintenance costs. Perhaps an evaluation of why one joined or frequents a golf course can lead to some constructive answers. Was it the $10M Clubhouse make-over, aggressive tree planting programs, unlimited balls at the practice tee, golf car use by able bodied players, daily raking of all bunkers… or was it simply the beauty of the playing field?
Patrick Sisk