By Design - Spring 2019

4 | By Design DIGEST A round-up of recent golf design news in association with: N ew research has revealed a sharp rise in the demand for forward tees at golf clubs. The findings come from the recently-released 2019 Golf Facility Market Trend Watch report, commissioned by the American Society of Golf Course Architects and conducted by Sports & Leisure Research Group. “There is more investment being made in golf facilities each year, and those facilities are seeing a return on that investment,” said ASGCA President Jeff Blume. “It is interesting to see that now 70 percent of general managers think their golfers would welcome the addition of forward tees; that’s a 30-point increase in just one year.” Respondents to the report’s fall 2018 survey included golf course architects, superintendents, general managers, owners/operators, golf professionals and industry leaders. Trendable core questions and topical modules were covered to find out what ASGCA members are experiencing in the field. The report also finds that the facility enhancement most desired at both public and private courses is a course renovation, and that there has been growth in master planning projects, bunker renovations and turf reduction. “The golf business continues to evolve,” said Jon Last, founder and president of Sports & Leisure Research Group. “This year’s data shows consistent responses in several key areas, but some views are changing, which is also worth noting.” To read the highlights of the Golf Facility Market Trend Watch , visit: https://asgca.org/wp-content/ uploads/2019/01/2019-Market-Trend- Watch-for-website.pdf Sharp rise in demand for forward tees The demand for additional tee boxes has risen sharply General managers at clubs ranked the importance of the following amenities or services 2019 2018 Additional tee box options that allow for a shorter golf course 70% 40% 60% 33% A newly designed, more modern and trendy bar area 58% 45% An enhanced practice range 53% 48% A dedicated short game practice/learning area 43% 40% Additional, dedicated outdoor event space 43% 10% More casual/livingroom/‘space for social interaction’ A state of the art fitness facility and gym 40% 28%