TRENDS The chart below illustrates the trend in rounds played at each course since 2011. The large drop in rounds in 2022 and 2023 at Springbrook was due to the planned closing of the course for renovations in 2022, and the delayed reopening of the course after renovations in late spring/early summer of 2023. In 2024, both courses were fully open for the entire season, and both courses are projecting to finish 2024 with near record numbers for rounds, the result of positive weather all season and strong demand. For 2025 rounds are forecasted using 3-year averages, adjusting for unexpected weather impacts and the closing of Springbrook during the renovation. YEAR SPRINGBROOK NAPERBROOK 2011 36,933 35,088 2012 41,154 37,024 2013 37,816 34,154 2014 36,043 33,971 2015 38,597 37,832 2016 36,291 37,362 2017 36,267 36,527 2018 33,797 31,260 2019 34,314 32,459 2020 42,603 38,800 2021 42,139 42,721 2022 21,287 42,761 2023 22,956 45,988 *2024 44,700 44,400 *2025 42,250 42,000 *Projected Rounds
The 2020-2024 golf seasons has provided evidence of golf’s continued importance for recreational opportunities on both a local and national scale. Golf rounds during and after the COVID-19 pandemic have returned to levels seen in the early 2000s. Growth in the game of golf has been seen with increases in private and group lesson programs, especially junior programming, which has added to the increased optimism for the current increase in golf interest to continue. Driving range use saw significant increases, and concession revenues improved as new and returning golfers helped push both those revenues higher. Despite the increases to rounds
NUMBER OF ROUNDS
30,000 20,000 38,000 36,000 34,000 32,000 40,000 50,000 48,000 46,000 44,000 42,000
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
2020
2021 2022
2023 *2024 *2025
With Springbrook open for a full season, the first year since 2021, green fee revenues were budgeted higher than 2023, and the continued demand for golf, increased interest in Springbrook post renovation, and positive weather impacts have all provided record rounds that are projecting to surpass budget and 2023 levels. Concession, merchandise sales and cart revenues also are projecting to surpass budget and 2023 levels. Range use in 2024 continued to exceed expectations, as high participation levels and the early opening helped projected revenues to finish 2024 15% ahead of budget. The higher revenues on the driving ranges continued the trend of positive revenue growth after expansion and improvements to both facilities practice areas. Program revenues are projected to finish at budget, as programs continued to be popular with new golfers and junior players. From a staffing perspective, the labor market improved over previous years with more candidates available for open positions. Golf overall was able to maintain adequate staffing levels in most departments, with the exception being some golf maintenance positions and food and beverage part-time staff. One full-
brought on by the pandemic, golf still has potential threats to revenues. Most notable is the weather, and its positive or negative influence on rounds. In 2018 and 2019, the weather was a negative factor during significant stretches, and higher than normal precipitation reduced the playable days and round totals at each course. 2022 saw significant weather impacts in the spring due to colder and wetter than normal weather, however, the weather provided increased playable days in the summer and fall months as drier than normal weather patterns helped rounds totals rebound to levels at or above previous years. The weather in 2024 began with a warmer than normal winter, which allowed both courses to open the driving ranges in January, and the golf courses several weeks earlier than usual. The warmer winter continued into the spring, which with the early opening provided an unexpected boost to rounds at both courses to begin the season. Summer and fall weather experienced drier than normal precipitation levels, which helped continue the high number of rounds into the fall.
2025 BUDGET 74
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