sand-based sites
Yes, it seems obvious now how important this is, and there are other sandy resorts, but it really was a real focus where I really think at other places it was an afterthought.
If we go with the basic definition of luxury goods: "not necessary for living, but highly desirable and expensive" then Bandon and Mike's other resorts certainly are such, even if they aren't in the overly lavish and very expensive category like a Pebble.
If you want to argue semantics then I concede: my "luxury" is your "overly lavish."
For someone making the median wage in the US at ~60k per year, spending $400-500 for one round of golf (assuming they are close enough to do it this cheap) is still a big ask compared to 10+ rounds at their local muni for same cost.
Dynamic pricing means that I can drive to Bandon
tomorrow, and I'd probably be able to play a round the next day for
$250. It would be a long drive, and I'd likely have to play as a single and on whichever course they have an opening at, but it's really
nothing like Pebble Beach Corp. It's luxury if you want it to be, but it's also open to folks like me who are happy to play if they're an opening on the way between SF and Portland, much like in Scotland, you can play St Andrews if you win the ballot, but you can really just pass through on your way to other spots. This really only works for folks in Seattle/Portland/Bay Area, but the idea of Dream Golf is that it's doable for regional folks, whereas, even though I get a "better deal" at Pebble for being NCGA, it's still stupid expensive, and I'll likely never play there when the Asilomar and Pacific Grove GL are just a step away.
Has this new model affected the grassroots local game, i.e., the one that does not require jet fuel?
I mean, for me, the biggest impact is GGPGC, which I don't think get's built if there isn't a sand-focused revival. That little course is just
absurdly good for how laid back and cheap it is for residents. Blasi gained a lot of clout from Chambers Bay... does Chambers Bay even happen without Bandon? It definitely in the same genre. Even more difficult to say, but does Pinehurst No. 2 get restored as boldly if Bandon Trails isn't such a success? I certainly think that the opportunities probably helped, but who knows.
The world of golf looks a hell of a lot different then when Keiser got started. I think most people see Sand Hills as the first mover, but it's still a carts-only course that quite private, and is certainly not Dornoch-in-America that he set off to achieve.