[Richard_Mandell]

Guys:

As part of our Symposium on Affordable Golf, one of the goals is to focus on two facilities that have been innovative (and successful) regarding affordable golf.  I have one such facility on the agenda, Herndon Centennial Golf Course in Herndon, Virginia.  It has been making money the past five or so years while others around them have not.

I need one more cast study, but haven't found anything of particular note.  Any ideas?

What I am looking for is a facility west of the Mississippi River that is not municipal (private is good) that is providing a good golf experience at an affordable price.  If there is a course out there that specifically addressed all operations and determined what was important and what wasn't without missing a beat, I would love to hear about it.  In other words, who out there gained through addition by subtraction (or otherwise)?

[George Pazin]

I suspect you will have the best success by looking at older courses, maybe even older mom and pop type operations. My thinking would be that they have long ago paid off their land and construction costs and are capitalized to stay in it for the long haul.

You may want to contact Don Mahaffey on this site to learn about his experiences as an owner. He turned around a struggling operation.

[Bill_McBride]

Rustic Canyon would be a good one, and there are some GCA.com members who are regulars there.  "Affordable" is a relative term depending on location; RC offers a wonderful playing experience at a low price compared to other Southern California venues.

[Mac Plumart]

Richard...this post will be of no value to your study per se.  But I think what you are doing is desperately needed in the golfing community.  Best of luck!!!

[Pat Burke]

The course that hosts our kids foundation, Hidden Valley GC in Norco, CA made money in the Inland Empire.  Our surrounding area, is pretty much decimated by the economy.  Goose Creek has continued to do well locally (great product for the price) but at least 3 courses have gone in to receivership or closed (within 12 miles).  Our course is too hard for most golfers, but in reasonable condition.  We have a great super who has done a very good job with a ridiculous budget, and an owner who can make some people crazy, but loves the game.
He makes great effort to make people feel welcome, and created the foundation that provides tutoring and golf lessons for 250+ kids per week, at no charge!
It's all added up to a course that would surprise many that it is making money, AND is introducing hundreds of kids to the game

[Doug Wright]

Wild Horse?

[Alex Miller]

Rustic Canyon would be a good one, and there are some GCA.com members who are regulars there.  "Affordable" is a relative term depending on location; RC offers a wonderful playing experience at a low price compared to other Southern California venues.

YES, use Rustic Canyon. I think Rustic Canyon is the best public golf value for hundreds of miles around its location.

[Tim Leahy]

Rustic Canyon would be a good one, and there are some GCA.com members who are regulars there.  "Affordable" is a relative term depending on location; RC offers a wonderful playing experience at a low price compared to other Southern California venues.

YES, use Rustic Canyon. I think Rustic Canyon is the best public golf value for hundreds of miles around its location.

I have played from one end of Cali to the other and there is not a better deal than Rustic Canyon in the North or South especially considering its location.

[RJ_Daley]

Rustic Canyon is a very good case study.  I suspect that if you privately got ahold of Geoff Shackelford, you could get much of the inside story.

But as case studies go, if you are looking to document a really ideal low budget, high quality, affordable, community effort, that is privately owned as a shareholder corp, yet operates almost like a muni in some ways, Doug Wright has it correct, Wild Horse might be the mother of all case studies. 

Intrastate share offering, something like $500 a share, 39 homesites on the periphery of the golf course, with an initial lot sale.  Course and clubhouse reportedly constructed for <1.5million, small town citizen participation with some chores and labor donated.  And, I'm not even telling you what the initiation and yearly dues and cart fees are.  Although it is not an equity club.  I firmly believe in some areas of flyover country, the model can be duplicated to some extent, if you can find a town and 30 mile radius area with a golf market.  But, that is easier said than found.

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