Ben Rodny, a golf enthusiast from the Coachella Valley, believes that the pandemic-spurred golf boom of the past three years will not end in this coming season.
Rodny is the director of marketing and sales at Indian Wells Golf Resort. “We have built our budget and are planning our next year’s business plan on the expectation that things will continue to grow,” he said.
Golf has benefited from the COVID-19 epidemic, which shut down many sports and activities.
The pandemic caused a turnaround for golf. For more than a decade, the number of rounds played and golfers had been declining. The pandemic, however, seemed to push people to participate in an activity that is allowed in many areas. In 2020 and 2021 there was a 20 percent increase in rounds played, but the gains were smaller in 2022.
The National Golf Foundation has reported a 3.8 per cent increase in the number of rounds played in 2023 to the end September. In the Palm Springs region, however, 2023 year-to date rounds are down by 2.9 percent. This is due to weather events such as Tropical Storm Hilary in August, which caused flooding on some courses and forced them to close for several weeks. The NGF, however, reported that in September 2022, Palm Springs golf was up 6.4 percent.
There are signs, for many in the Coachella Valley golf industry, that, while the boom is not reversed, it may be slowing.
Kurt Burmeister is the general manager at La Quinta Country Club. “We’re seeing growth but not as much as in the past three years. “The signs of the season are similar to those we saw in the past three years.”
Rodny, who is a golf enthusiast, says that he has begun to notice a slowdown in the growth of the sport, even at the 36-hole Indian Wells Golf Resort where the number of rounds played per day was well over 400 during the 2022-2023 season.
Rodny noted that “I am noticing that, especially on the group side, golf tournaments and smaller outings,” there has been a pushback in rates. This was not the case last year. Last year, we could have given a quote for a million dollars but they simply asked to receive the contract. There is some pushback from clients trying to plan a high-level, exclusive event with us or another top player in the Coachella Valley.
The Desert Sun/Jay Calderon A golf cart that winds at Indian Wells Golf Resort
Prices still going up?
Indian Wells Golf Resort, like many other courses in the desert, uses dynamic pricing throughout the season. This means that green fees are lower during times of low demand, but higher during peak periods, such as Fridays and Saturdays during January and February. Rodny believes that the top rate for the 2022-23 golf season will be $299 per round.
Our base price ranges between $249 and $250. In January and February, I do expect us to break the $300 mark. “I can’t say how much, but I do know that we will be breaking the $300 price mark this season in January and February.” Rodny said.
Golfers gather on the putting-green before heading out to play a round of golf at Ironwood Country Club, Palm Desert, Calif. Saturday, November 18, 2023.
Golfers are having to change their plans due to the price increases.
Fred Barnett, a resident of Palm Desert, said that he has friends who are planning to come down in February for a week. They have already changed their plans. “They might come down for the exact same number of nights, but they may not play as much golf because prices are going up. It’s not only the golf. “It’s not just the golf.
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Barnett said that his friends would be willing to pay up to $150 for a round of golf, but this price is becoming harder to find during the peak desert season.
Barnett explained that four rounds of golf at $150 per round would cost $600. By skipping a round, you could pay for two nights in a luxury hotel.
Barbara Garcia from Indio said, “I can’t afford to go out as much anymore.” “It isn’t just that golf has become more expensive. Gas, food, everything is more costly. “It’s time to cut back on golf, for me.
Rodny stated that the higher-profile courses cost $300 per round and the lower-profile courses cost $175. The hotels are packed with groups, and that’s what keeps the golf resort alive.
Burmeister explained that the club has eliminated activities not specifically intended for members in response to the increased number of players and the waiting list for membership.
“We are now much more focused on our members.” Burmeister stated that we’ve done a great deal of business outside of golf over the years. (The American Express PGA Tour) is a good example. “And we’re fully committed to this.” We’re not doing as many weddings. We are also committed to this plan. We have also committed to that plan.
Burmeister said that the increased revenue generated by the increased play at La Quinta Country Club in the past three years allowed the club to make long-term planning.
Burmeister stated, “We’ve already decided on our project for the next year. It is a new irrigation network.” “That’s already been funded.” “We already know that.”
Rodny is aware that even though the surge in the desert may have slowed, the cycle of the game could be ending. He doesn’t yet know the exact date.
Rodny stated that “the wave will crash at some point.” “And then rise up again.”
