[Ran Morrissett]

Private clubs have rarely been under the financial pressure that they faced in 2009 and are continuing to deal through 2010 and beyond. Certainly, in the past twenty-five years, there has been nothing like it and as such, they have been one of the big news story over the past year. Some of their problems are of their own doing (does it really make sense to build a club predicated on six figures to join and 20k a year of carrying costs?  ) but even clubs that are reasonably priced and offer great value find adding members to be a slow process these days. One course that doesn't break the bank to join and that offers a Coore & Crenshaw course that is a DELIGHT to play on a regular basis is Hidden Creek in southern New Jersey.

We ask Roger Hansen, the founder and owner, nine questions and he takes dead aim with his bullet answers, providing insight from the owner's perspective. The second nine questions are to Ian Dalzell, the General Manager and Head Golf Professional. Coming from Northern Ireland, Ian's perspective on the game and his detailed answers are quite revealing as well. Ben and I have both been busy with other chores and as fate would have it, yesterday was Ian's last day at Hidden Creek. That doesn't change any of his thoughtful, fact-filled answers and we wish him well at Huntingdon Valley.

We are delighted to add this Feature Interview with an owner and general manager into the mix as the founding of private clubs and the business of golf course architecture are forever tied at the hip.

Cheers,

[Norbert P]

  That is one terrific "Nuts 'n' Bolts" interview(s).   Enlightening and timely.  Thanks Ran



 

[Steve_ Shaffer]

Ran,

Great interviews and thanks for confirming that Ian will be the new head pro at Huntingdon Valley. The "word on the street" here in Philly was that he was selected but nothing appeared in the local press. The long time(35 years) head pro at HV- Jack Connolly will remain in an emeritus capacity at the club:

http://www.myphillygolf.com/detail.asp?id=6739&pid=20

[Mike Sweeney]

,

[David_Tepper]

For most of the 1980's & 90's,the Causeway Coast Blackbush/Bushmills amateur golf event in Northern Ireland was run by a gentleman named Ian Dalzell. For all I know, he could still be running it. Can anyone tell me if the Ian Dalzell interviewed in here is the son of the fellow I am thinking of?

[Ian Dalzell]

David
That was my father, John Dalzell, who ran the Causeway Coast Black Bush Golf Classic for 20-years.  It was at that time the largest amateur golf tournament in Europe, with over 1000 players playing 4-courses over 5-days.  He was eventually awarded an MBE from the Queen of England for his efforts towards the promotion of tourism in Ireland and also the fostering of amateur golf in Ireland.  Unfortunately Dad passed last August.  He was certainly an inspirational man in my life, and I am trying hard to follow in his footsteps with my career in the business.  Thanks for remembering!

Sincerely,

Ian

[David_Tepper]

Ian -

Thanks for your response. Very sorry to hear of your father's passing.

I had the pleasure of playing in the Blackbush in 1994 and meeting your father there. It was a wonderful week of golf that I still remember very well.

My best to you and your family.

DT

[Ian Dalzell]

David
Thanks.  I was actually around the tournament in 1994 as I was just finishing up University close by at the University of Ulster in Coleraine.  It is a great event, and was a great vehicle to meet some wonderful people from around the globe, many of whom still keep in touch with my family. 

Best for the holidays, and hope you enjoy the Feature Interview.

Sincerely,

Ian

[Jeff Dawson]

Ian-

Congratulations on your new position.  It is a wonderful place and they are lucky to have you.  best always

Jeff

[James Duncan]

Ian,

Please stay in touch. HV is lucky indeed to have you.

JD

[Tim Martin]

Ian-Really enjoyed the interview. Best of luck at HV and Happy Holidays.

[Ian Dalzell]

James
Great to hear from you my friend.  Send me an email at idalzell@hvccpa.org and I will send you my new contact information.

Jeff, thanks - appreciate the vote of confidence. Hope all is well with you and yours.

Tim, thanks for reading, and it was my pleasure to work with Ran on this.  Cheers.

Best to all for the holidays.

Ian

[archie_struthers]

 

Hidden Creek is a primie example of just how hard it is to make a golf course thrive financially in this challenging atmosphere. Despite rave reviews from many and a beautiful secluded location , Roger relates as to the real diifficulty in securing members. 

We are seeing great golf courses / clubs all over the Northeast struggle to recruit new members . In many ways the legs have been chopped out from under operators / managers as the youth from 20-45 just don't commit to big membership bonds and dues. It remains to be seen how this will all shake out , but demand is far behind supply in most areas of the country.

[George Pazin]

Archie, while I understand your concerns, maybe the struggles aren't necessary a terrible thing. Maybe they will induce a shift to a new paradigm. Sometimes the best ideas come from being forced to consider a new operating reality.

Please understand, in no way do I want HC or any other club to suffer. I'm simply questioning whether or not the current private club model is the best thing for everyone. Maybe it is, I sure don't know the answer.

[archie_struthers]

 


I'm all for new paradigms....just don't have it figured out yet !!!!  Defiinitely listening though

[Kevin Pallier]

Thanks for the interview Ran.

Having had the opportunity to witness first hand Hidden Creek's wonderful amenities, staff and club - I can certainly vouch that they (Roger and Ian) do practice what they preach.

They provide a great all-round experience.

[Patrick_Mucci]

Archie, while I understand your concerns, maybe the struggles aren't necessary a terrible thing. Maybe they will induce a shift to a new paradigm. Sometimes the best ideas come from being forced to consider a new operating reality.

Please understand, in no way do I want HC or any other club to suffer. I'm simply questioning whether or not the current private club model is the best thing for everyone. Maybe it is, I sure don't know the answer.

George,

The private club model has worked pretty well for 100 years.

Obviously, adjustments have to be made as times/conditions dictate.

Today, it would appear that  the most pressing problem is that supply far exceeds demand.

[archie_struthers]

 


Pat I'd suggest the 40 and under crowd don't fancy golf as we do.  There are fewer and fewer young members to replace their elders . So far the increased longevity of the baby boomers has hidden some problems related to this .  

It will continue to be the bane of club recruitment until the young families see golf as a good value. As of today they do not!

[Patrick_Mucci]

Archie,

I agree.

There are a number of problems, amongst them the time it takes to play a round as it relates to time away from one's family.

The dual income nature and truer financial partnership of today's family exacerbates the problem, unless there's an offsetting equalization or joint participation.

If you could play golf in 2 1/2 hours it would take a good deal of the pressure off of the family absence issue.

The other factor complicating the issue is cost.
Clubhouses and food service drive up the cost of belonging to a club for the primary purpose of playing golf.
It's hard to justify initiations and dues for young people when they JUST want to play their golf and return to their families.

So, you have a clash of cultures, a clash of generations.

If I was a Czar/dictator at a club, I'd sure focus on speed of play.
It's CRITICAL to the ENJOYMENT factor and the TIME away from the family factor.

Once again, TV has been a contributing factor.  Golfers watch the pros and imitate them.
I can't tell you how many times I see members lining up putts and asking their caddy how the putt breaks.
The caddy has been there all of two weeks, the member has been there 30 years, yet the member has looked at the putt from six angles, and only after it was his turn to play, and only after consulting with a raw rookie caddy four times.
I've seen guys "plumb bob" and I ask them what that tells them.  You'd be amazed at how many don't know.
So, speed of play is critical in my eyes.

And, it should be critical in the owner's eyes as well, since faster play means that the golf course could accomodate more member/guest/fee play, thus increasing revenues.

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