It’s no secret that golf and the housing market have been booming in many parts of the Southeast over the past several years. Warm weather and year-round golf have attracted many new residents. Where there is increased demand and limited supply there is sure to be rising prices – for just about everything. With golfers paying more for rounds, more for memberships and more for houses in golf communities, is it unreasonable for them to have increased expectations for their course? Well, that depends on the golf course maintenance budget.

Meeting increased expectations usually carries a need for increased budgets – especially when golf course superintendents are dealing with cost and scarcity issues of their own. Daily maintenance requires people, equipment, fuel and other resources that have all become more expensive and harder to find in recent years. The current labor situation is the most challenging I’ve ever seen. Fuel prices have gone up along with the cost of equipment, equipment parts, chemicals and fertilizer. It’s a seller’s market for all these items and the demand for experienced staff at all levels of a golf operation means salaries and hourly labor costs are going up as well.

Given these difficult circumstances, it is more important than ever to constantly update budget forecasts so that anticipated costs are in line with expectations. There is a limit to what can be done with any budget, which is why it becomes essential for facilities to prioritize needs versus desires. Some practices or products may have to be modified or eliminated altogether just to keep staffing at a level that can meet expectations.

With golf experiencing increased demand and unprecedented challenges simultaneously, budget astuteness, organization and fiscal responsibility can make the difference in whether the current boom leaves your course in a great position for the future or a step behind the competition. The USGA Green Section can help you manage the challenges and capitalize on the opportunities, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Southeast Region Agronomists:

Chris Hartwiger, director, USGA Course Consulting Service – chartwiger@usga.org

Steve Kammerer, Ph.D., senior consulting agronomist – skammerer@usga.org

Jordan Booth, agronomist – jbooth@usga.org

Information on the USGA’s Course Consulting Service

Contact the Green Section Staff