The Symposium on Affordable Golf continues to grow in attendance as golfers and industry people alike converge in a meeting of the minds. The event, to be held on Monday, November 8th at Southern Pines Golf Club in Southern Pines, North Carolina, expects to top more than 100 attendees from all over the world. The goal is to generate healthy discussion on how to return the game of golf to a state of stability, prosperity, and affordable simplicity.
www.symposiumonaffordablegolf.comWe're glad to announce that Wildhorse Golf Club in Gothenburg, Nebraska has agreed to participate as our second case study at the Symposium on Affordable Golf (along with Herndon Centennial Golf Course in Herndon, Virginia). Wild Horse Golf Club was built in the Sandhills of Nebraska for less than $2 million dollars (including land purchase) by a group of golfers who wanted to upgrade the golf offerings within their hometown of Gothenburg. Banded together with efforts from local farmers willing to help out, Wild Horse is an excellent example of allowing the land to dictate the development of a fantastic, playable golf course. But more than just seeking out a great piece of rolling Nebraska Sandhills, Wild Horse Golf Club is an example of affordable golf from the maintenance and operational side as well. Doing without the extras that most modern facilities have deemed “irreplaceable”, the folks at Wild Horse have proven that pure golf architecture and sensible day to day operations can rank Wild Horse among the best golf courses in the country. Don Graham, (General Manager) and Josh Mahar (superintendent) will be representing the course.
We are also happy to announce that both the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America and the PGA of America have determined that the Symposium on Affordable Golf is worthy of
continuing education for their respective members. (GCSAA Education Points - .70 and PGA – 6 Hours MSR) There is no cost to attend the Symposium, but you do need to register. Visit
www.symposiumonaffordablegolf.com to reserve your participation in the discussion. If you have problems registering, just email me the info at richardmandell@golf-architecture.com
One final thought: On the morning of Tuesday, November 9th, we have a block of tee times to play
Southern Pines Golf Club for $35.00. This is a great Donald Ross golf course that is certainly a good example of affordable golf in the sense that it is all about the routing of the golf holes and nothing else. Golf this simple is simply this great. No frills, no additives, no high fructose corn syrup, no waterfalls.