Alabama 1974 a Directory

Golf Courses In Alabama 1974 A Directory Agricultural Experiment Station of Auburn University R. Dennis Rouse Auburn, Alabama GOLF COURSES IN ALABAMA 1974 June 1975 Mimeograph Series of the Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology Agricultural Experiment Station Auburn University Auburn, Alabama by K. W. Crawford* E. W. McCoy* *Research Associate and Associate Professor, respectively, Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology, Agricultural Experiment Station, Auburn University, Auburn, Alab ama. PREFACE AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This directory was published as a contribution to Research Project H-299, "Economic Evaluation of Selected Outdoor Recreation Facilities." The research project included economic studies of various outdoor recreational facilities including campgrounds, fee fishing lakes, boat marinas, as well as golf courses. The golf course directory will enable golfers, golf suppliers, and prospective golf course developers to determine the availability of golf facilities within areas of Alabama. Appreciation is expressed to the many golf course managers who supplied information for the study and to Mr. Robert Clark, Recreational Resource Specialist of the Alabama Cooperative Extension Service who provided initial lists and contacts for determining the number of courses within the State. In addition, appreciation is expressed to John Hard and A. B. Sherling, former research associates who greatly contributed to early phases of the study. Any errors or omissions which exist in the directory, however, are solely the responsibility of the authors. ii TABLE OF CONTENTS Pag In tro duc tion...............................................................10 0 0* 0 foh00 0 0 Private Sector.......................................................10 40 0 0 00 *0 9 0 Problem and Objectives ....................................................0 00 00 0 0 0 4 Supply of Golf in Aaaa................ ........ 5 Alabama's Golfing Facilities.......................10 Directory Alabama's Golf Courses........................14 Golf Courses by Type of Facility...................39 LIST OF TABLES 1. Percentage of Public and Private Golf Courses Built in Alabama by Period of Construction .............................. 7 2. Percentage of Public and Private Golf Courses in Alabama by Size of Course, 1974 .......................................... 8 3. Percentage of Public and Private Courses in Alabama by Level of Play, 1974 ........................................... 9 4. Percentage of Public and Private Golf Courses in Alabama by Location, 1974 ........... ............................. 9 5. Number of Golf Courses by Planning and Development Districts and Size of Courses, Alabama, 1974 ................... 13 iv LIST OF FIGURES 1. Location of Golf Courses in Alabama, 1974s...........................12 INTRODUCTION The sport of golf began in the United States in the later part of the 19th Century. By 1900 all states with the exception of Idaho had golfing facilities. Interest in the game has grown rapidly from these early years of development. Within the last 25 years golf has become quite popular. Participation in the sport by well known public personalities and the exposure provided by television coverage during this recent quarter century 1/ were important factors in this popularization of golf The development of golfing facilities in Alabama followed this same general pattern with many courses opening in the last 25 years. Both a private and public sector evolved within the State's golf industry to attempt to satisfy the growing demand. Several different subgroups developed within each stratum. Private Sector Most of the courses within this group depended solely on private financial institutions to provide funds for initial capital investments. However, the source of operating capital for facilities varied greatly among courses. Management's decision concerning the type of membership established at the facility was an integral factor in determining the amount and/or availability of revenue. Some of these privately built clubs made the facilities available to members only. The number of members, therefore, was very important in the financial management of these clubs. After an initial membership or 1/Hoyden' s Hill Golf Course Cost and Feasibility Study (Fairfield, Connecticut, January 13, 1970), p. 2. 2 entrance fee, supplemental revenue for ordinary operations was obtained through a monthly assessment. This entitled all members of the immediate family use of the available facilities. Often an additional fee was charged to the golfers on a per round of play basis. Similar to the above type was a subgroup which allowed guests of members to utilize the club's facilities. The guests were usually charged a per round fee to use the golf course, however, members may or may not have been levied a similar fee. Operating capital for clubs came from members, usually by the same provisions as in the members only subgroup. If the membership of either of these types of facilities was suffi- ciently large, expansion or any new facilities could be financed strictly by membership assessment, thus avoiding conventional lending agencies. Another subgroup within the private sector of Alabama's golf industry implemented some innovative approaches in course development. The planning of new subdivisions by real estate developers began to include golfing facilities. The subdivision promoters financed the initial construction of the golf course, and following sale of lots the ownership of the property was transferred to the subdivision aggregate. Membership may have been open to people not living in the subdivision, depending upon the management decisions Of the new owners. Operating expenditures were appropriated by methods similar to those used by the types of clubs previously discussed. Alabama had a few golf courses in the private sector which were built by business firms. The facilities' capital sources were included as part of the firms' regular financial structure. Membership was similar to the types previously discussed, ice., restricted to employees only or open to guests of employees as well. One firm's golf course was open to the public. Public play did not interfere with the demand of the employees. Since this was the only golf course located in that particular county, a worthwhile service was provided to the local citizens. Included, within the private ownership sector was a group of golf courses open to the public. Most of these were built by entrepreneurs who recognized a high demand for golf facilities existed and decided to provide the service desired. Several of the courses represented substantial capital investments. In addition the operation and maintenance of the course required relatively large amounts of money. Therefore, it was most important to these owners that profits and a reasonable return on the initial investment be realized. Generally, these businesses used the per round fee system to collect revenue. Other methods included daily or monthly fees. Finally, an intermediate subsector was observed, which was called semi- public golf facilities. Membership fees were levied which entitled these golfers certain privileges, i.e., the course was open to the public only during certain time periods. Usually, days which were known to have higher demands were reserved for members and/or their guests depending upon the policy at the particular club. The financial management of these courses was basically the same as a members and guests type course. Public Sector The facilities in Alabama developed by the public sector were dependent solely on some governmental institution for financial assistance. Municipal or state programs provided the necessary capital for the initial construction phase and for all operating expenses thereafter. Management was essentially the same for municipal and state owned golfing facilities. Must frequently the charge to play on these courses was on a per round basis. However, often annual fees, monthly fees, and/or daily fees were available. These "members" had no special privileges. Generally, most of the municipal courses were located within the larger population centers of the State. These courses were often in association with other outdoor recreational facilities provided by the city for its citizens. These other facilities may have been areas for participation sports, or simply parks or gardens. Several golf courses have been built recently by the State of Alabama as a part of its park development program. Golfing facilities were included in the revamping of the existing parks in Baldwin, Lauderdale, Marshall, and Shelby counties. Golf courses were also included at the new parks that were built in Barbour and Wilcox counties. Problem and Objectives Prior to this study a complete inventory of golf courses er se was not available. Golf courses were included in other studies, but only as parts of comprehensive projects which were nmore general in nature. Reports from these projects provided the starting point for this survey. These basic data were improved to include those changes that occurred during the time differential existing between the prior studies and this one. Finally, all golf courses in Alabama were incorporated and a data base for this specific area of outdoor recreation was established for the State. This directory should provide much needed information to the various subsectors of Alabama's golf industry. A location analysis of golf courses in the State should be

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