Golfdom, January 2013

the golfdom report Four more years With the re election of Barack Obama readers are concerned that these next four years will be tough ones for the economy of golf By Seth JoneS I look at these next four years about the same as I look at hitting a 230 yard 3 wood into high wind it could turn out really good but it probably isnt going to laughs Anthony Williams CGCS at the 36 hole Stone Mountain Ga Golf Club Golfdoms readers seem to agree with the magazines environmental editor Half of those surveyed said they expected the next four years to be that 3 wood into the wind while only 21 percent were feeling positive about the next four years If we get good weather well see more rounds played but until everyone feels more comfortable about the economy and their personal situation the golfers wont be as quick to get out here to play Williams laments Ask the man on the street who is paying more in taxes if he was a once a week golfer he is now a once a month golfer Still there are those who remain positive about these next four years Conrad Broussard CGCS at the 81 hole St James Plantation in Southport N C which is entirely Audubon Certified feels there may be an opportunity for golf under the Obama administration He seems to be investing in the green industry heavily and I think golf is more and more being seen as a green business Broussard says Hopefully we can somehow use that to our advantage Golf course architect Tom Marzolf appreciates the fact that Obama is well known as a player of the game My own perception is he doesnt shy away from the game He plays on vacation I like the fact that he is not afraid to play the game and let it be a part of his life he says I saw a show on the killing of Osama bin Laden Obama played 9 holes on the day he told the team to go after bin Laden because he needed time to think Its great that he utilizes the golf course as a place to make important decisions Almost 30 percent of readers surveyed said it doesnt make a difference who is in the White House And you can bet most of that 30 percent expect these next four years to be tough ones Thats what Rhett Evans CEO of the GCSAA is preparing for I think the best way to sum it up is youre still going to see the status quo Evans says With the democrats remaining in control but the republicans in the House of Representatives there will be a lot of debates but theyre just going to kick the can down the road with no real decisions Continued on page 28 How will Four more years oF tHe obama administration aFFect tHe golF economy Things will get worse over the second Obama term 50 Things will improve 21 29 It wont have much of an effect one way or the other knowing wHat you know about tHe industry today would you do it all over again 100 80 60 40 20 0 I would do it all over again Sorry Id be in a different less stressful more successful profession 2008 2012 How optimistic are you about tHe economic HealtH oF your Facility 50 40 30 20 10 0 Very optimistic Somewhat optimistic Neutral Somewhat pessimistic Very pessimistic 2002 2007 2012 are you Fairly paid For tHe work you do Yes I make great money The pay is okay The pay stinks 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 2002 2007 2012 2002 data unavailable 26 Golfdom January 2013 Golfdom com