A. John Harvey, ASGCA

What makes the game of golf great? One could argue the merits of individual traits and characteristics of personal honor, historical richness, social intercourse, camaraderie, competition, design vernacular, physical characteristic of the property and surroundings, communing with nature, or environmental/community benefits, and write numerous well-conceived volumes on any one of these single topics alone.

From the course and operational standpoint, especially in today’s competitive market with disposable income and personal demands on recreation time, courses that provide their market segment with a desirable experience tend to stay above the watermark. Some say there are plenty, if not too many, courses available to public and private golfers, virtually in every corner of the globe. However, one of the biggest challenges for operators, developers, owners, and memberships is to understand who they are: concentrate on who their customers are, what their particular needs are, and what makes them keep coming back.

The uniqueness of each golf course can’t be underestimated. There’s a style of golf course for every golfer, no matter how expensive or affordable for a round of 18 holes. Certainly as roadways and infrastructure age and periodically need rehabilitation and renovation, so do golf courses throughout their lifetime. Unlike any sport, the course itself is a living, breathing playing field of the game composed of varying and seemingly indefinite dimensions.

Brae Burn Country Club, Purchase, New York

Arguably, what makes the game of golf great also lies within the context that Mother Nature plays a significant role in the day-to-day condition and attitude of the course, challenging the medal of the golf superintendents and players alike? While this is all true, what also makes the game so great is that despite the immediate difficulties facing the golfers and operators from an economic standpoint, golf is a game that is centuries old, no two courses are exactly alike, and golf is resilient enough to adapt to today’s needs and tomorrow’s challenges.

“Golf is a funny game. It is also a tantalizing, frustrating, fascinating game…I suppose the one saving grace is that we soon forget our disappointments and learn to remember and laugh at our own foolishness”.  -- Bobby Jones

To read more Leading Thoughts, please visit here. To learn more about A. John Harvey, please visit here.