American industry misses few busi- « ness opportunities. And the golf business is no exception. Like so many assembled initials, corporations like IBM, NCR and THE TRW own or influence over 150 of the country's golf facilities. Fire- stone Country Club must rank as the most identifiable and presti- gious of this type course. CDMPflNV Operated as an investment in- stead of a write-off, Firestone Tire & Rubber Co.'s golf complex in Akron, Ohio is fondly dubbed "Plant No. 3" by some of its CDURSE employes. A staff of more than 140 Firestone's 'Plant No. 3' works diligently to keep Firestone a 10 GOLFDOM MAGAZINE 3/75 r

employes that were issued when the volunteer their services for free, and club went outside company ranks to that club members and friends re- solicit members. The 38 will un- ceive no discounts to attend the doubtedly be the last, for the club tournament. All profits from the also has a social membership of 800 tournament are channeled into the who are waiting to be given full tournament committee and then to membership status. charity. The only obvious benefit Blue collar or white collar makes the club receives from the tourna- no difference for membership at ment is of course national expo- Firestone. All are equal in the eyes sure, which fits in with Firestone's of the club, and in fact almost 40 philosophy of using the club as an percent are hourly employes. When advertising and public relations arm there is an opening in the member- of the company. The man who's job ship, whoever applies first is ac- is to carry that philosophy out day cepted, whether it be vice president to day is the club's general mana- or laborer. ger. "The course was started for At 34, Doug Good has to be one company recreation purposes," ac- of the youngest general managers in cording to A. E. "Scotty" Bru- golf business. A Drake University baker, vice president for advertising graduate. Good is the prime mover and public relations at Firestone. in coordinating the vast schedule of "Mr. Firestone believed that golf Firestone. "My working arrange- was a great recreation, and it fit in ment with Bobby (Nichols, the club with his philosophy that a happy pro) and Pete (Miller, the club worker is a good worker." This is superintendent) is great, but in reali- also why Firestone has an advanced ty our relationship to each other is recreational complex for its quite different than the arrange- employes including swimming ments made between the 'trio' at pools, gyms and athletic fields. Fire- other types of clubs." stone has had boxers and swimmers Each department at Firestone is compete in Olympic competition run on its own. The only real coor- over the years. dination comes through Good's of- "The club itself does not make fice and lies primarily with the money on its own," Brubaker said. calendar. With his responsibilities to "It is run as part of Firestone's ad- Brubaker, Good is the one person at vertising and public relations Firestone who has to know what's budget. Firestone takes great pride going on and why. in what it does, and this course is a In the course of one week, a vari- showpiece for us. The course is ety of activities will occur in the manicured better than most courses clubhouse. For instance, one night because of this. If we are going to in- the company might entertain the vite people here for tournaments South African Board of Trade. The and be on television, then we have to next evening, a wedding reception is keep up our quality image. Some on in the main dining room with may not believe this, but we work on over 400 guests. Breakfasts, a very strict and structured budget. brunches and lunches dot the sched- But we also go first class." ule of the Firestone kitchen and its show place for the company and in National prominence has come Good's job to keep it all together. turn, for golf business itself. to Firestone through its association As far as specific uses by the Some 46 summers have passed with the touring pros. The club first company of its showpiece, Fire- since the founder of the company, hosted the 1953 Rubber City Open stone turns the clubhouse into a big Harvey S. Firestone, first deter- which was sponsored by the Akron meeting room every year for its an- mined that a site on the southwest Jaycees. The facility was donated by nual stockholders gathering. Train- side of Akron would be established Firestone as a civil project, as it con- ing seminars for dealers are con- as an additional recreation area for tinues to be for the American Golf ducted on a regular basis. The deal- his employes, and despite all its Classic held every year. Since 1960, ers come in from all over the coun- publicity from the pro tour, the club the course has given $720,000 to try for the informative sessions. has essentially retained that pur- Akron charities from tournaments. "What I like the most about this pose to the present day. For instance, preparation for the job is the freedom I have," says Firestone, which will host the PGA Championship has been going Good. To his peers, Good would 57th PGA Championship this Au- on since 1971 when Firestone's tour- seem to have a dream job, but the gust, entertains a golfing member- nament committee got the green Iowa native insists that he has a ship of 800 employes and their fami- light from the PGA. Brubaker strict budget and there is no blank lies, and 38 memberships to non- emphasized that employes would check to the purchases he makes during a year. "I work for business- Brubaker: "Firestone takes men. Every time I want to buy something, I have to prove the great pride in what it does, and worth of the purchase. There is a lot this course is a showpiece for of red tape and I have to work with us. The course is manicured cost accountants, but I think there is better than most courses be- a tremendous amount of good rap- port among the entire management cause of this. If we are going to here," Doug remarked. invite people here for tourna- A vital' part of the Firestone ments and be on television, we team is its head pro, tour player have to keep a quality image Nichols. He is an extension of the corporate public relations philoso- phy on the tour, but Bobby also purchase orders for buying. This is a "I suppose the corporate Fire- plays an integral part of the running much more efficient system. And of stone touches my operation all the of the pro shop and the golf car con- course, I have a union to organize way through at every point," Miller cession. During peak season, the my men." said. "But I am trying more and shop employs a staff of 14, and Bru- Miller said that although the more to work through Doug Good baker emphasized that Nichols is corporate structure helps organiza- as general manager. We deal with totally responsible for the shop and tion, there are also times when he Firestone's engineering department the golf cars. Firestone has a fleet of looks at other more loosely run quite extensively, and we use their 85 cars, and Nichols is in complete clubs, and sees some of the things purchasing department also. These control to purchase. His father they can do and he can't. Then he services they can provide make Owen, a former pro, is in charge of regrets that Firestone in some areas things a lot easier at times." maintenance of the cars. Assistant is not flexible enough for some little Miller said his department is run pro Paul Lorzoren handles the run- things that make clubs better. as a part of the corporate Firestone ning of the pro shop. "Because we have a union for as a whole, and that many people The most critical department at my staff, I used to be bitter about think this means he has an unlim- "Plant No. 3" revolves around a how high the wages are I have to ited budget to work with. He said complex of white buildings no more pay," Miller said, "but it delineates this impression is given because than 100 yards from the clubhouse. the help much better and we run Firestone is so large. "There are This is the base of operations of much more efficiently because some areas where Firestone has seen superintendent Peter Miller. everything is laid out in advance." fit to extend beyond what a normal "I don't always agree with the He said the club is run on an eight- country club would do in the same corporate approach, but I am con- hour day, something many superin- situation, situations where I do not vinced this is the only way to run a tendents across the country might have to be held to a strict budget," country club," Miller said. "I have find hard to believe. "It is all a Miller said. "But on the whole, this had problems here, but they have matter of scheduling," he said, " is run as a big business in the true not been because of Firestone. and more clubs could do it. There is sense, and the bottom line is impor- There are many good things about no reason for 16 and 18 hour days tant, very important." our affiliation. For one, we have a and overtime that goes along with One area of the corporate struc- five-year plan for improvements it." ture that is another great aid to that we operate on. This way, there He said he hires no help under Miller is that he is always dealing is always something in the works, 18, and nobody that works less than with the same corporate people and there is always planned im- 40 hours a week. When March 15 come budget and other times. Sell- provement taking place. It is not a rolls around, Miller knows exactly ing projects and programs to people hit-and-miss thing. who will be working, how many who have dealt with them for years "We have progressive equip- people he will have on his staff, and is much easier than the job another ment replacement also, and this is a what their capabilities are. He has superintendent might have selling great help," he said. "And most 18 people coming back from last his programs to a club committee country clubs do not operate with year's summer staff. that rotates every year or two. "Let's face it," Miller said, "this Good: "I work for business- club is a showcase for Firestone. We have the basics that every club has, men. Every time I want to buy but we also have the ability to add something, I have to prove the the fine taste and touches that make worth of purchase. There is a the club the showcase that it is. They lot of red tape and I have to cost more, but it means that much to work with cost accountants, Firestone." Run like a corporation, treated but I think there is a tremen- like an investment and viewed as an dous amount of good rapport asset, Firestone is probably the among the entire management premier course of big business in here." golf business. lo page 14

MINNESOTA Tartan Park Golf Course from page 14 904 Bush Avenue Bldg. 45-IW Lanesboro Pitch & Putt Westboro Country Club Lake Elmo, Minnesota 55042 South Main Street 121 Main Street Reg. 18 Private Lanesboro, Mass. 01237 Westboro, Mass. 01581 Westfield Municipal Golf Course, Inc. Par-3 IS Private Reg. 9 Private 1460 West 5th Street MICHIGAN Winona, Minnesota 55987 United Shoe Country Club Reg. 9 Private 134 McKay Street Burroughs Farm Golf Club Beverlv. Mass. 01915 5341 Brighton Road MISSISSIPPI Reg. 18 Private Brighton, Michigan 48116 Natipco Country Club Reg. 18 Executive 9 Daily Fee Natchez, Mississippi 39120 Hampden Country Club Dun Rovin Country Club Reg. 9 Private 138 Wilbraham Road 16377 Haggerty Hwy. MONTANA Hampden. Mass. 01036 Plymouth. Michigan 48167 Rec. 18 Private Anaconda Company Golf Course Reg. 18 Daily Fee Box 151. Black Eagle Great Falls, Montana 59401 Par-3 9 Private NEW JERSEY Sharon Country Club Sharon Road PICK OUR BR4INS Robbinsville, New Jersey 08691 Reg. 18 Private Hominy Hill Golf Club FOR A HE4DSURT Mercer Road Colts Neck, New Jersey 07722 Reg. 18 Private TO MORE PROFIT. Toms River Country Club 419 Washington Street Toms River, New Jersey 08753 Reg. 9 Private NEW YORK IBM Homestead Boardman Road Poughkeepsie, New York 12601 Par-3 9 Private Bethlehem Management Club Southwestern Blvd. Hamburg, New York 14075 Reg. 18 Private Oneida Country Club Genesee Street Route 5 Oneida, New York 13421 Reg. 18 Private IBM Country Club 10 Astros La Sands PNT. Port Washington, New York 11050 Reg. 9 Private Flagler Hotel Golf Course Box 95 South Fallsburg, New York 12734 Executive 9 Daily Fee NORTH CAROLINA Bar-Mil Country Club Rt. 3 Box 368 Greensboro, North Carolina 37400 Par-3 9 Private Mooresville Golf Course Box 540 Mooresville, North Carolina 28115 Reg. 9 Daily Fee NORTH DAKOTA La Moure Country Club SW of City La Moure,' North Dakota 58458 Reg. 9 Private OHIO Hemlock Springs Golf Club 4858 Coldsrping Rd. RFD 2 Geneva, Ohio 44041 Reg. 18 Daily Fee Wildwood Golf Club 601 Aberdeen Drive National headquarters: P.O. Box 1308, Newport Beach, California 92663 (714) 646-5169 Middletown, Ohio 45042 Representing Johnston & Murphy golf shoes, "John Weitz" men's shirts by Excello, Esquire Reg. 18 Private sportswear, Spyder Mark slacks, Hadley women's sportswear, and "illi" knit sweaters. General Electric Employee Act. Assoc Cincinnati, Ohio 45200 For More Details Circle (113) on Reply Card Par-3 18 Private Hartwell Golf Course Fort Mill Golf Club Forest & May Street P.O. Box 280 Cincinnati, Ohio 45200 Fort Mill, S.C. 29715 Reg. 9 Private Reg. 18 Private Dayton Power & Light Golf Course TENNESSEE 25 N. Main Old Hickory Country Club Dayton, Ohio 45402 Box 61 Reg. 9 Private Old Hickory, TN 37138 with BIG, BIG Poms NCR Country Club Reg. 18 Private 4435 Dogwood Trail Lupton City Golf Course Dayton, Ohio 45429 Lupton City, TN 37351 Reg. 36 Private Reg. 9 Private The Oak Harbor Club Skwiew Golf Club County Road 17 Centerville, TN 37033 Oak Harbor, Ohio 43449 Reg. 9 Daily Fee Reg. 18 Daily Fee TEXAS Holiday Country Club Elgin Country Club 4625 Whipple Avenue—NW Elgin. TX 78621 Canton, Ohio 44718 Reg. 9 Private Reg. 9 Par-3 9 Daily Fee Pamcel Golf Course Juli-Fe View Country Club Box 937 RD No. I Pampa, TX 79065 Orrville, Ohio 44667 Reg. 9 Private Reg. 18 Private OKLAHOMA Cypress Golf Course P.O. Box 38 Air Park Golf Club Cypress, TX 77429 Box 39 Reg. 9 Private Burns Flat, Oklahoma 73627 Reg. 9 Daily Fee Diamond Shamrock Golf Course P.O. Box 500 PENNSYLVANIA Deer Park, TX 77536 Crucible Management Club Reg. 9 Private Box 224 Texaco Country Club Industry, Pennsylvania 15052 Box 9892 Philadelphia Electric Co. Country Club Houston. TX 77401 Lynn Blvd. & Wadas Avenue Reg. 18 Private Upper Darby, Pennsylvania 19082 Huber Golf Club Brockway Glass Golf Course Box 831 Wood Street Borger, TX 79007 Brockway, Pennsylvania 15824 Reg. 18 Daily Fee Reg. 9 Daily Fee Chemcel Golf Club Eagle Lodge Country Club Celanese Chem. Box 428 La Fayette Hill, Pennsylvania 19444 Bishop. TX 78343 Bold! Bright! Beautiful! Mighty Reg. 18 Private Reg. 9 Private Sox, the new knit golf club Bethlehem Steel Club Hultman Acres Golf Course covers with giant poms, more RD I P.O. Box 4026 than 6" in diameter. Made of Hellertown, Pennsylvania 18055 Corpus Christi, TX 76117 Reg. 27 Private Par-3 9 Private Creslan® acrylic fiber. Fully Fountain Springs Country Club Dear Park washable. Won't stretch, won't P.O. Box 232 Route 5 Box 4C shrink, won't lose their shape Ashland, Pennsylvania 17921 Orange. TX 77630 or color. In 11 2-tone colors. Reg. 9 Private Reg. 18 Daily Fee River Valley Club Diamond Oaks Country Club Westfield, PA 16950 5821 Diamond Oaks Dr. Reg. 9 Private Fort Worth. TX 76117 RHODE ISLAND Reg. 18 Private Wanumetonomy Golf & Country Club Great South West Golf Course Browns Lane 520 Ave. J. East Middletown, R.L 02840 Arlington, TX 76010 Reg. 18 Private Reg. 18 & Par-3 9 Private SOUTH CAROLINA VERMONT Chester Golf Club Windsor Country Club, Inc. P.O. Box 203 Route 5 Chester, S.C. 29706 Windsor, VT 05089 Reg. 18 & Exec. 9 Daily Fee Reg. 9 Private Wellman Country Club VIRGINIA P.O. Box 188 Brickwood Golf Course Johnsonville, S.C. 29555 RFD 3, Box 241 Reg. 18 Daily Fee Petersburg. VA 23803 Reg. 9 Private Ware Shoals Golf Course Ware Shoals, S.C. 29692 Reston Golf & Country Club Reliable of Milwaukee Reg. 9 Private Reston North Golf Course Reston. VA 22070 233 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee, Wise. 53202 Lancaster Golf Club Reg. 18 Private Complete set of four Nos. 1, X, 3 P.O. Box 859 Lancaster. S.C. 29720 Reston Golf & Country Club and 4. (style shown, #5037. Sug- Reg. 18 Private Reston South Golf Course gested retail, $4 each. Other knit Reston. VA 22070 Club Sox® styles retail from$1,85ea.) Dusty Hills Country Club Reg. 18 Daily Fee P.O. Box 1001 Creslan is the registered trademark of the American Cyanamid Company for acrylic fiber. Marion, S.C. 29571 Bassett Country Club Reg. 18 Private Bassett. VA 24055 For More Details Circle (126) on Reply Card Reg. 9 Private In page f>2 3/75 GOLFDOM MAGAZINE 47 blamed for problems in the manag- sought out," he said. "If one wants ing of turf but that turf managers sand of a particular size, say so in are unable to make construction the specs, and then be sure it is used. work. The idea is surely nice for the If you must test, test. There are plen- constructor because it relieves him ty of laboratories available and the Insist On, Enforce Specs of a lot of responsibility. He need cost of testing at the time of pro- In Course Construction therefore pay no attention to such curement will be far less than the things as drainage, percolation rates cost of the trouble after the job is Club administrators should insist on or sand source or size of com- finished." the best written specifications pos- position." sible when dealing with golf course Sporting Goods Assn. Show Kozelnicky said what is so ridic- construction companies. Specifi- Draws 35,000 to Houston cations based on the best research ulous about the idea is that it is easi- available and followed by rigorous ly refuted by research. He said pro- "The success of the National Sport- insistence, according to George M. ponents of the idea cannot in any ing Goods Assn. show bears out the Kozelnicky, executive secretary of support their position with any theory that our industry is one of the the Georgia Golf Course Super- available proof. last strongholds in times of intendents Assn., and a member of economic hardship," new NSGA the Dept. of Plant Pathology & Graphite Growth Study president Joe Murray said. The Plant Genetics at the University of show was held Jan. 23-26 in the Georgia, Athens. Annual sales of graphite fiber Astrodome and Astrohall complex "This is an important area," shafted clubs by 1984 could be as in Houston. Kozelnicky told GOLFDOM, "one low as three million pieces or as high that is sadly neglected too often, and as six million pieces, this is a conclu- THE CDMPflNV CDLIRSE sion of a Stanford Research abuses can really hurt the club. And Lynwood Golf Club nobody is going to look out for the Institute Study conducted for True Box 881 Temper Corp., Cleveland. The study Martinsville, VA 24112 club but itself. Reg. 9 Private indicates a growth of the number of "I have heard," Kozelnicky said, graphite fiber units to six million Glen Oak Country Club "that there are proponents of the P.O. Box 338, Schfld. Sta. pieces would be a growth to about idea that construction cannot be Danville, VA 24541 seven percent of the market. Reg. 9 Private Stanford Research Institute, WASHINGTON which has been independent of Stan- Valley View Golf Course Box 1826, Liberty Lake ford University since 1970, pro- Spokane, WA 99019 I IF... jected a general growth in world- Reg. 18 & Exec. 9 Daily Fee wide sales of golf clubs would reach WEST VIRGINIA YOU OWN OR 85 million pieces a year by 1984, as Meadowbrook Recr. Club compared to some 38 million in Route 6 — Box 546A OPERATE A: Charleston. WV 25311 1974. Reg. 18 Private Pro Shop These findings conflict with in- WISCONSIN Golf Course formation about the study incorrect- Roberts Golf Course Driving Range ly mentioned in the January GOLF- 13175 W. Graham St. Par-3 Course New Berlin, W! 53151 DOM article, "The Maturing of Miniature Course Reg. 18 Daily Fee Graphite." WYOMING ... SEND NOW, "Specifications should be so Sinclair Golf Club FOR OUR written that they provide no loop- P.O. Box 75 holes because they are eagerly Sinclair, WY 82334 New 1975 64-page Reg. 9 Daily Fee Wholesalers Catalog of Golf Supplies The

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