Golf Inc. - October 2008 - (Page 14)

from 1,100 to 2,100. Russian players have increased 500 percent since 2001 — from 1,000 to 5,150. The Czech Republic has boomed — from 7,000 players in 2001 to about 35,000 today. “Prague is easy to get to, it’s a phenomenal place to visit and they welcome visitors with open arms,” Glasco said. “There are more than 50 courses.” Still, the total number of players in Eastern European countries is relatively low, said Lodewijk Klootwijk, European Golf Course Owners Association CEO. “Development of supply leads the trend,” he said. “Hopefully, demand follows.” David MacLaren, director of property development for the PGA European Tour, said most visiting golfers to new destinations tend to be from neighboring countries. For example, he said, Finns like to travel to the Estonian Country Club, one of the PGA European Tour Courses, in nearby Estonia. A new generation Europe’s players are growing older, particularly in mature markets. To attract a younger demographic, operators must change their thinking, MacLaren said. “The way to solve this is to make golf more accessible, both in terms of reducing the length of play and removing archaic restrictions — for example, dress regulations,” he said. “Golf must move away from some of its traditional values.” One key to success in Eastern Europe, said Andreas Doring, director of golf operations for IMG, will be developing a new generation of players. IMG is now working with the Russian Golf Association on programs to lure young golfers. “Young golfers have been virtually nonexistent in Eastern Europe compared to Sweden, for example, where by association regulations 25 percent of golf club membership should be under age 18,” he said. As for the women golfers in Europe, Glasco said the pattern of play by females resembles that in the United States, though some countries show above-average support from women. “Scandinavian countries such as Sweden have a stronger female base, as do traditional vacation destinations such as Portugal and Spain,” he said. Out of Sweden’s 532,000 golfers, 145,000 are women. In Spain, 95,000 of 318,000 golfers are women. The most recent KPMG Golf Survey (2007) indicates that golf clubs in Germany and Switzerland report having the most women members – about onethird of the golfers in both countries. Growth in female participation in these countries, as well as Austria and the Netherlands, has been one of the principal drivers to the overall growth in popularity of golf in those countries. Private vs. daily fee Established private clubs are fading in Europe. Even those recently built to spur real estate sales expect to offer daily-fee play in order to pay the bills. “Old golf is membership golf,” Klootwijk said. “New golf is pay and play. The new golfers who are younger than the existing population do not see the advantage of becoming members.” Still, the situation differs by country. In Russia, tourism is soft, so the new courses are aimed at residents and can be private. “Moscow continues to be one of the most expensive cities in the world, so clubs are currently targeting a very affluent person,” Troon’s Glasco said. “Private clubs are popping up around the city while payfor-play courses are being approached at a much slower pace.” But as a whole, private clubs are struggling, he said. “They’re facing some of the same challenges that we have in the United States,” Glasco said. “As members age, they’re living on a fixed income and they don’t want increases in annual dues. They fight to hold back change. More and more clubs are forced to take on public play.” —Rebecca Larsen STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP, MANAGEMENT AND CIRCULATION (PS Form 3526) 1. Publication Title: Golf Inc. 2. Publication Number: 1074-9276 3. Filing Date: September 9/12/08. 4. Issue Frequency: Monthly with Nov/Dec combined issue 5. Number of Issues Published Annually: 11 6. Annual Subscription Price: Free to Qualified Requesters or $72. 7. Complete Mailing Address of Known Office of Publication: 5715 Kearny Villa Rd., Ste. 108, San Diego, CA 92123-1133. 8. Complete Mailing Address of Headquarters or General Business Office of Publisher: 5715 Kearny Villa Rd., Ste. 108, San Diego, CA 92123-1133. 9. Full Names and Complete Mailing Addresses of Publisher, Editor and Managing Editor: Publisher- Jack Crittenden, 5715 Kearny Villa Rd., Ste. 108, San Diego, CA 92123-1133. Editor- Jim Dunlap, 5715 Kearny Villa Rd., Ste. 108, San Diego, CA 92123-1133. Managing Editor-Keith Carter 5715 Kearny Villa Rd., Ste. 108, San Diego, CA 92123-1133. 10. Owner: Cypress Magazines, Inc. 5715 Kearny Villa Rd., Ste. 108, San Diego, CA 92123-1133, Jack Crittenden. 11. Known Bondholders, Mortgagees, and Other Security Holders: Crittenden Research, P.O. Box 1150, Novato, CA 94948. 12. Non-profit Tax Status: Not Applicable. 13. Publication Title: Golf Inc. 14. Issue Date for Circulation Data Below: Sept. 2008 15. Extent and Nature of Circulation (first figure is average number of copies based on each issue during the past 12 months; second figure is the actual number of copies of single issue published nearest to the filing date): a. Total Number of Copies (net press run): 13,608/13,446. b(1): Individual Paid/Requested Mail Subscriptions stated on PS Form 3541:13,212/12,771 b(2): Copies Requested by Employers for Distribution to Employees by Name or Position: 0/0. b(3): Sales Through Dealers, Carriers, Street Vendors, Counter Sales, etc.: 0/0. b(4): Requested Copies Distributed by Other Classes Mailed Through USPS: 0/0. c. Total Paid and/or Requested Circulation: 13,212/12,771 d(1): Outside County Non-requested copies: 0/0. d(2): In-County Non-requested Copies: 0/0 d(3): Non-requested Copies Distributed Through the USPS by Other Classes of Mail: 119/85. d(3): Non-requested Copies Distributed Outside the Mail: 59/295. e. Total Non-requested Distribution: 178/380 f. Total Distribution: 13,390/13,151 g. Copies not Distributed: 218/295 h. Total: 13,608/13,446 i. Percent Paid and/or Requested Circulation: 99%/ 97% 16. Publication of Statement of Ownership for a Requester Publication is required and will be printed in the October 2008 issue of this publication. I certify that the statements made above by me are correct and complete (signed) Jack Crittenden, Publisher, Golf Inc. 14 Golf Inc. October 2008

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Golf Inc. - October 2008 Contents From the Editors: Smaller is Less Costly Survey Reveal Golf's Economic Impact in EMA Private Club Managers Earn Bigger Salaries Dyes Mourn Loss of Family Member Changing Demographics Impact European Golf Scene RDC Golf Group Finds Affordable Golf Niche Links at Summerly Offers Unique Twist Cost Crunch Most Powerful People in Golf Contractors Focus on Renovations, International�Projects Troon, IMG Reach Into Booming Middle East Market Americas Recap: New Player Design in Mexico Europe-Africa Recap: Moroccan Lakeside Development Asia-Australia Recap: 3 Billion Dollar Resort in Vietnam The Last Word: There's No Substitute for Good Friends on a Golf Course

Golf Inc. - October 2008

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