Industry Update
August National Teams Up With AU Health to Tackle Vaccine Effort, $2M Project
Augusta National Golf Club announced a $2 million COVID-19 vaccine effort in partnership with AU Health, which includes 15 vaccination stations that could vaccinate 300 to 350 people per hour. One station will be the former Stein Mart building on its Washington Square property, acting as the central vaccination site. The initiative also includes pop-up clinics in underserved areas of Augusta and aims to reach those who experience barriers to vaccination, including a lack of transportation. The Augusta Chronicle.
Edgewood Country Club Finds the Bright Side of 2020
Despite the loss of catering dollars and weddings, which was the Edgewood Country Club’s greatest revenue generator pre-pandemic, the club continues its upward trending membership growth since 2015. Event coordinator for Edgewood CC says recent state guidance (N.J.) has allowed for limited guests to gather, starting a trend of “micro-weddings.” ROI-NJ.
Leadership in the Era of COVID-19
The pandemic has put leadership on display as clubs feel their way through rapidly changing regulation and guidance, faced with new challenges. Farmington Country Club CEO and General Manager Joe Krenn, CCM, CCE, says one of the most important things a leader can do during crisis is focus on the positive. “Leaders should act with deliberate calm and excited optimism,” Krenn said. Club Manager Quarterly.
Jonas Club Software Virtual Conference, March 15 and March 22, 2021
The two-day Thrive 2021 conference experience will provide participants with insider knowledge of Jonas Club Software and an opportunity to learn what’s new in technology and services. Presented by some of the Jonas Club Software teams behind the products, including product management, customer care and the executive team, this first of its kind interactive conference will share trends and best practices, tips and tricks and new ideas to implement at your club. Registration is free. Jonas Club Software.
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The Road Back: Wyndemere CC Commits to Continuous Improvement, $21M Five-Year Master Plan (12-minute video)
Richard A. Lareau Appointed as New Principal at GSI Executive Search
An Inside Look at The Waterline Club’s Suite of Amenities
The Bridge Golf Club Proposes the Storage Containers for Staff Housing
Inside Boards at Private Clubs
Duckpin Bowling Tradition Continues at Sewickley’s Edgeworth Club
Trends Watch
US Bureau of Labor Statistics Releases Latest Jobs Assessment for the Next Decade
In the latest assessment from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, restaurant work made the list of the 10 occupations with the largest projected decline. The new assessment also indicates a cumulative economywide job growth of 2.9% – 1.9% from 2019 to 2029, down from 3.7% in pre-pandemic predictions. The outlooks assume more remote work and less in-person entertainment and travel. NY Times.
Changes to the Luxury Market Brought on by 2020
Personal luxury goods sales dropped $78 billion from 2019 and is not expected to recover until the end of 2022 or early 2023. The State of Luxury report from Unity Marketing surveyed 500 luxury industry insiders to better understand how the market is changing, citing a shift from conspicuous luxury to conscientious luxury and two emerging themes shaping 2020: ample time to buy at home, which disrupted buying behavior and increased online purchasing, and nowhere to go, which kept consumers close to home. Unity Marketing.
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Luxury Travel Rebound Predicted as Vaccinations Increase
More People Were Active in 2020 But Fitness Participation Dropped Overall
On the Green
Superintendents Talk Reversible Golf Courses Across the US
Reversible golf courses started as early as the 1870s to allow the turf to heal while “distributing divot patterns across two landing areas, not one,” as referenced at the St. Andrews’ Old Course. Making its way to the U.S. in the early 20th century, reversible architecture was mostly seen at private golf courses, and is still seen throughout the country today at Bobby Jones Golf Course near downtown Atlanta and the Forest Dunes Golf Club in Roscommon, Mich., among others. GCM.
The Future Site of ‘Golf House Pinehurst’ Begins to Take Shape
The United States Golf Association (USGA) set plans to build a second headquarters on the Pinehurst Resort Campus with the Raleigh-based architectural firm Clearscapes taking the lead on design. USGA will use the new location to feature its research and testing center for golf equipment, and include offices for turfgrass agronomy and management, the USGA Foundation, and welcome center/museum as it expands its impact in golf and extend its mission to champion and advance the game. USGA hopes to break ground in early 2022 with a projected completion by the end of 2023. The Pilot.
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Insights Behind ‘Green Grass’ Golfers From the NGF
Mike Whan to Serve as New USGA CEO
Matthew Crowther, CGCS Talks Eco-Minded Projects and Practices
Practice Area Renovations Become Most Popular Project for Golf Course Architects
Diversity & Inclusion
An Inside Look at “The Gathering Spot” in Atlanta
Ryan Wilson, founder of the Gathering Spot in Atlanta, Ga., shares how the private club got its start and how it adjusted during the pandemic. The club boasts a diverse membership of people from all ethnic backgrounds and ranging in age from 21 to 88. The idea behind the club was to create a spot where creative thinkers in all industries and from all backgrounds can gather to discuss bold ideas, grow their business and expand personal relationships. Amidst the turbulent year of 2020, The Gathering Spot became a home to organizers looking to make positive societal changes amid civil unrest. CBS 46.
RSM Shares Internal Inclusion Resources ‘to Create a More Equitable Future’
RSM offers transparency in the company’s commitment to doing their part to advance racial understanding and inclusion by sharing internal resources for the benefit of their clients and others who want to drive meaningful change. RSM emphasizes the importance of ‘allyship’ and created 10 steps individuals can take to be an ally as well as a Courageous Conversation Guide to help other organizations have tough conversations. RSM.
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The Difference Between Racial Equity and Racial Equality
3 Ways to Build a Diverse and Inclusive Board
Langston Golf Club’s Influence on Golf for African Americans (8-minute video)
Operations and Membership
Maintaining Asphalt and Concrete Courts
Asphalt courts will eventually need repair consisting of either repair and recoating, overlays with membranes or stone screens or reconstruction. Tennis Courts: Construction & Maintenance Manual, a joint publication of the American Sports Builders Association and the USTA, covers the different type of repair needed for different issues seen on asphalt courts including fading, bubbles, different types of cracks, peeling, dents and divots and more. Racquet Sports Industry Magazine.
Attracting and Retaining a Younger Membership, From The Club at Renaissance
The Club of Renaissance underwent a multimillion-dollar renovation to align with the club’s goals and objectives, one of which was to attract and retain younger club membership. Renovations included a new outdoor area specifically designed for younger families, with a Rendezvous Pool Bar, and a children’s play area in closer proximity to the pool. The club also created a new short course and added kids’ golf and tennis lessons with more availability. C+RB.
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Golf Course Superintendent Talks About 2020 and 2021 Staffing