What is fueling, golf?

[RJ_Daley]

With the price of diesel around $3 a gallon (maybe more expensive when delivered to construction site tanks) and with the enormous consumption of the various dosers, backhoes, and tractors, etc., how much it the current price of fuel adding to ongoing GC design projects?

Also, how much is fuel prices effecting on-going maintenance operations?  What might these current price levels do to increase a round of golf?

Pete Galea responded a few years ago that the price increases were minimal when we asked this question when prices were increasing to almost $2 a gallon.  Now, are the prices starting to be felt in operations to a significant consideration?

[Jeff_Brauer]

RJ,

Mid size dozers use about 80 gallons of fuel a day.  So the daily cost of a dozer has gone up by at least $120 since fuel prices doubled, or about $12 per hour. In real world, the cost charged has gone from $95 an hour about five years ago to perhaps $125 per hour now.

If a dozer is used for 8 months at 6 days a week, that only adds $25,000 to a course. (per dozer)  The real price increases are in delivery, plastics, and reimburseable expenses for the worker getting to the course.

[RJ_Daley]

Thanks for the comments Jeff,

When you say reimbursable expenses for the worker getting to the course, are you speaking of travelling/living expenses and per diem to hire operators from all around the country?  

As to fuel costing on-going operations more, I also wonder about the regional destination courses, like Giant's Ridge, and their market being hurt by players not willing to take 200-300 mile trips to go play a destination, rather than stay closer to home.  

[TEPaul]

RJ:

Courses and economics will probably just adapt to the increased fuel prices. Look at Europe where fuel prices have been 2-3 TIMES higher than the USA for decades.

On the other hand, one does wonder about the increased cost to play golf. No way in hell I'll play a golf course for $150 and on up per round and I can afford it but I refuse to pay that. The nub of it to me is no golf course is worth playing regularly at those prices. I'd just rather do something else for that kind of money.

[ForkaB]

Tom

Don't worry.  One of the consequences of global warming is that the whole Eastern Seaboard (including most of Philadelphia) will be under water in 35 years.  The good news is that the new shoreline will stop somewhere near your golf course, which will be renamed "Gulph Coast Beach and Country Club."  Due to the green fees you'll get from all the guys who used to belong to NGLA, GCGC, Merion, etc., and well as the towel and beach chair rentals you'll get from the people that used to visit the Jersey shore, your dues will soon vanish into nothingness.

Constructively

Rich