Minnesota Golfer - Directory 2021 - 3

EDITOR'S
LE T T ER
Will Golf Experience a
Post-Surge Hangover?
A
" As the
COVID-19
vaccine is
more widely
available in 2021
and pandemic
restrictions
ease further, it
bodes well for
organized golf. "
s with any great party, there is a
letdown and cleanup.
If there is
any doubt that the game and business
of golf experienced a rollercoaster of a
ride during 2020 and the great x-factor, the
COVID-19 pandemic, consider that at one
point last spring we weren't even sure golf
courses would be open for play. Once we
understood that golf would open and that
we could safely play both recreational and
competitive golf under Play Safe Minnesota
protocols, golf participation exploded.
Rounds surged nearly 30 percent over the
previous year, according to a golf facility
survey completed by the MGA at the end of
2020 (see more results, p. 37).
Likewise, MGA members posted 1.4 million
rounds for 2020, up 48 percent, with
the average member posting 18.7 rounds.
Among other programs and services, the
MGA administers the USGA Handicap
System in Minnesota, providing handicap
indexes for its 75,000 members at nearly 400
member clubs across the state†.
The National Golf Foundation reports
that 20 percent of Core golfers, those who
play eight or more rounds per year, " upped
their engagement " significantly in 2020,
due to COVID-19 restrictions on travel and
thanks, in part, to the flexibility of playing
golf while working remotely. However, NGF
says this " zealous " golfer expects to play
10-15 percent less in 2021, regardless of the
circumstances surrounding the pandemic.
On the other hand, the remaining Core
group, about 4 million golfers who said they
reduced their play and golf spend during
COVID-19, expect to be more engaged in
2021 regardless of the pandemic situation.
You might say this is called finding the silver
lining. Weather aside, the NGF believes
2021 will see a rebound in golf travel and
" event golf, " such as leagues, outings and the
like. Most golf industry stakeholders concur.
As the COVID-19 vaccine is more widely
available in 2021 and pandemic restrictions
ease further, it bodes well for organized golf
and our public and private facilities who
thrive on dining, weddings and banquet
operations. Pent-up demand may well create
a surge in these golf-related social activities
in 2021.
Largely unknown is what happens when
society returns to normal. For example,
Minnesota Youth on Course golfers, ages 6
to 18 who can play golf for $5 or less, joined
in record numbers during COVID-19, up
nearly 250 percent. When schools reopen
and other organized youth sports return to
normal levels of participation and operations,
will golf retain these kids?
Very likely, we'll see some attrition in
MNYOC participation. Joel Comstock, the
MGA's director for MNYOC, has budgeted
for 25 percent fewer YOC golfers in 2021.
Since post-pandemic planning is partly educated
conjecture, these waters are largely
uncharted.
While the only thing to celebrate about
COVID-19 is that one day it will be in our
collective rear-view mirror, for the industry,
2020 will be remembered as the summer
that golf participation made a comeback.
Let's skip the hangover. Last year's surge will
surely impact golf 2021, and beyond.
See you on the tee.
W.P. Ryan, Editor-in-Chief
† Governor Tim Walz opened golf courses, April 18, 2020. While the official handicap season in Minnesota extends from April 1 through Oct. 31, some golf courses were open for play well into December.
mngolf.org
Directory 2021 MINNESOTAGOLFER
3
http://www.mngolf.org
Minnesota Golfer - Directory 2021

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