Hidden Creek a very nice place but the business model for most investors never worked. Not enough high net worth individuals here all the time to fill the place. Roger and Edwina took great pride in their club and perhaps in a different location would have achieved even more success.
What many golf course experts don't understand is that to keep really quality employees you need volume and people coming and going . Many rich golfers don't want too many people sharing their golf course so it creates a catch 22. No tipping policies, restrictive rules are tough to manage so it requires a real feel for your peeps. Gotta make if fun, and perhaps push the pace of play without losing too many slowpokes
I'm not just talking Gm's and head professionals and the like , who often make good money. The staff all the way down the line is so important to daily operations from the guys who greet you and grab your bag upon arrival to the cleaner who scrubs the bathroom and makes it a nice place to visit. Without them no operation is really good, and they often are lost in the shuffle of big marketing gurus who promise they can draw people to your venue. At the end of the day its the little conveniences and appreciation for your business that makes or breaks it for golf course operators.
I would argue (love doing that lol) that the business of golf can be a good one, but you might need to look at it a little differently than might seem obvious. Find a great location, price it to draw in good members and guests, and keep your place neat , clean and have respect for the game and what draws people to it. At the end of the day its consistency of product and care for your players that wil make you get the extra business to succeed .