Golf Inc - August 2008 - (Page 7)

opNews Top News Rivals to combine for rounds report National Golf Foundation, Golf Datatech to cooperate on monthly statistical collection After nearly a decade of tracking golf course rounds totals in the United States independently, the industry’s two largest data collectors will merge their efforts. Golf Datatech and the National Golf Foundation in July finalized an agreement to combine their roundsplayed collection efforts. The result will be a single monthly report that will be distributed industry-wide. It also will include numbers collected by the PGA of America and the National Golf Course Owners Association through the PerformanceTrak program. “It came out of the need for the industry to unify a basic index like rounds played,” said Tom Stine, president of Kissimmee, Fla.-based Golf Datatech. “Although [the two organizations] had reported similar results, the numbers were always different.” Joe Beditz, chief executive officer of the NGF, said the agreement was the result of a conversation with Stine earlier this year. “We had a discussion about our two efforts and how similar they were,” he said. “It seemed to be a bit redundant and probably a bit confusing to some folks.” Beditz said both he and Stine concluded that by combining forces, they could not only eliminate confusion about the numbers but also produce more accurate results. It also will make reporting the totals simpler for golf course operators. In the past, many clubs have sent their monthly rounds numbers to both organizations. “We believe that it will reduce the strain on the reporting facilities,” Beditz said. Stine said he expects to get monthly rounds numbers from about 4,500 By Keith Carter courses for the combined reports. “We hope our efforts to combine the reports will encourage more golf courses to participate,” Stine said. All individual course data will remain confidential, he said. The monthly report will be distributed to all participating golf courses, golf companies and media free of charge. Golf Datatech will absorb costs associated with the effort. Golf Datatech has been compiling rounds numbers since 1999. The NGF began its tracking efforts in 2000. Both Golf Datatech and the NGF compile other statistical information as the United States. For now, both organizations will continue to operate independently in their other data-collection efforts, though Beditz indicated they might be willing to consider further cooperative moves in the future. Stine said the reaction from others in the golf industry has been positive. “The feedback has all been very complimentary and appreciative,” he said. “Everyone likes the idea of having just one number to follow and not the confusion of two. Now when we report a number [for rounds], that will be the number. It’s better for everyone.” BY THE NUMBERS Tracking the rounds Although the specific numbers differ, the rounds totals compiled by the National Golf Foundation and Golf Datatech for the first five months of 2008 reflect virtually identical trends on a month-to-month basis. Jan. Golf Datatech -4.5% NGF Feb Mar Apr May Year to date -2.2% -2.3% 9.6% -7.8% 2.2% -4.8% -4.3% 10.4% -9.9% 2.5% -4.4% Sources: Golf Datatech, National Golf Foundation well. Golf Datatech focuses much of its efforts on collecting information about golf industry retail sales and marketing, both in the U.S. and the United Kingdom. The NGF is the industry’s primary source of information about golf development and construction, course financial operations and other business trends in August 2008 www.GolfIncMawgazine.com 7 Larry Hirsh, president of Golf Property Analysts, a golf real estate brokerage and consulting firm, said the union could benefit the industry overall. “It depends on how they go about it and the credibility of the information,” he said. “But these two sources should be able to do it effectively.” http://www.ngf.org http://www.golfdatatech http://www.GolfIncMawgazine.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Golf Inc - August 2008

Golf Inc - August 2008 Contents Editors Column Around the Industry: Big Green in Arizona Data Collectors Combine Forces GPSI Hires Chessler, Files Suit Americas Europe/Africa Asia/Australia Machrihanish Dunes Draws on the Past to Make History Again in Scotland Innovative Superintendent Finds Way to Keep the Nation's First Totally Organic Course Green Latest Clubhouse Designs Reflect Changing Lifestyles: It's All About Casual Camelback Conference Brochure More Operators Embracing Initiatives Aimed at Bringing Families Together on the Golf Course State of the Industry 2008 Muni Maddness? The Last Word

Golf Inc - August 2008

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