Golf in Central Oregon: It’s about the money
Survey of area golfers shows the economy will have an impact on the links
Published: May 09. 2009 4:00AM PST
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By Zack Hall
The Bulletin
The economic recession will affect the golf plans of many of the most avid golfers among us this year.
Golfers were asked, among other questions, whether they expect to spend less money on golf this year than last year in The Bulletin’s annual online golf survey.
Of 124 survey respondents — 89 percent of whom describe themselves as “avid” golfers — 63 percent say they expect to spend less on golf in 2009 than in 2008. Of those who will cut their golfing budget this year, 57 percent say they will play at less-expensive golf courses in 2009. In addition, 43 percent say they will play fewer rounds of golf this year, and 38 percent say they will forgo the purchase of new golf equipment.
“My budget will dramatically decrease this year and will increase only after the recession is over, and cautiously at that,” writes one Redmond golfer, a recent retiree. “One thing is for sure, I won’t need the newest club or ball every few years since the difference won’t affect my game much. (The cuts will) mainly be how many rounds I’ll play and where.”
Thirty-one percent of survey respondents estimate they spend between $1,000 to $2,499 each year on golf. Twenty-three percent say they spend between $2,500 and $5,000 every year, while 14 respondents, or 12 percent, say they spend at least $5,000 each year.
In other words, golfers in the survey — 75 percent of whom live in Bend — spend a good chunk of change playing the sport.
But with less disposable income these days, many golfers are taking a more cautious approach this year.
And some are looking at altering their golfing habits in perpetuity.
“I think that I will be changing permanently,” writes Brian Pape, a golfer from Bend. “I find it hard to pay $80 a round, so I plan on golfing more on the shoulder seasons and less in the middle of summer when prices are higher. Maybe take more trips out to the Greens at Redmond, Quail Run (Golf Course in La Pine) or Prineville’s Meadow Lakes (Golf Course). Carpooling makes these courses even more affordable.”
Favorite courses
While the recession is on the mind of many golfers, it is not the only thing.
In our survey, course quality is still the second most frequently cited factor (66 percent) in choosing a golf course to play. Not surprisingly, value ranks No. 1 in this year’s survey, chosen 76 percent of the time.
Widgi Creek Golf Club in Bend was named most often (17 times) in the survey as a favorite course, followed by Lost Tracks Golf Club in Bend (11 times), and Aspen Lakes Golf Course in Sisters and Juniper Golf Course in Redmond (10 apiece).
“After seeing the new greens at Widgi, that will be it,” writes one Bend golfer, referring to the southwest Bend track’s replacement of seven greens this spring.
Among private clubs, Crosswater Club in Sunriver Resort was named nine times as a favorite.
“Crosswater (is my favorite), but there isn’t a bad course,” writes another Bend golfer.
But value is still important, he writes, adding: “The courses need to come up with a locals discount and not let locals make tee times (during peak times), or they will have to pay full price. Maybe 25 percent off.”
Needs met?
The cost of golf is the biggest complaint, according to 70 percent of our survey respondents. Weather, and the corresponding short golf season, is the primary complaint for 20 percent of the golfers.
Eight percent of respondents offer no complaints at all. At least one golfer, though, believes golfers themselves provide reason to complain.
“My biggest complaint is when golfers don’t fix their own divots, ball marks and sand shots,” writes the golfer, a 7 handicap who lives in Bend. “Golf is the only sport that the participant takes such an important role in maintaining the course for other players. If everyone would do their part our courses would be in great shape all season.”
Overall, many of the respondents say that the strength of the region’s golf courses is in its variety of golf courses.
But in the end, it comes to down to affordability.
“I don’t expect to have all our demands met,” Pape writes. “A happy medium would be fine. If more courses offered discounts to locals I think we’d be well on our way. Places that do will see an increase in their business. They’ll have mine!”
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