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www.ngf.org / National Golf Foundation
May 31, 2007
For Immediate Release
Contact: Jim Kass,
800-733-6006 ext. 1624
WEATHER CONTINUES TO DEPRESS ROUNDS
Jupiter, Fla. - Rounds were down 15.1% on a same-store basis in April 2007 vs. April 2006, primarily due to poor weather. The year-to-date figure of -9.0% is the worst performance for the same time period in the past three years. However, because only about 22% of total annual rounds volume in the U.S. is played in the January to April time frame, there is still a lot of time to make up the deficit, if there is better summer weather. In fact, if rounds were flat for the remainder of 2007 vs. 2006, rounds would finish down only 1.9% for the year.
Where rounds were down significantly in April 2006, operators in the Northeast experienced six fewer play days on average than in April 2005 (a 24% decrease). Both the Lower and Upper Midwest had four fewer play days in April. Still, three regions are in positive territory year-to-date: Mountain, Southwest and Northwest.
Rounds Played, 2007 vs. 2006
Source: NGF/Allied Golf Associations
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April |
Year-to-date |
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Total U.S. facilities |
-15.1% |
-9.0% |
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Private Clubs |
-15.4% |
-9.2% |
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Total Public Courses |
-15.0% |
-8.9% |
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Premium |
-7.5% |
-3.2% |
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Standard |
-15.6% |
-8.9% |
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Value |
-15.9% |
-10.1% |
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1 Northeast |
-38.4% |
-36.6% |
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2 Mid-Atlantic |
-17.5% |
-17.7% |
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3 Southeast |
-5.2% |
-2.8% |
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4 Central/South Florida |
-0.9% |
-1.0% |
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5 Gulf Coast |
-5.8% |
-6.3% |
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6 South Central |
-14.8% |
-14.4% |
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7 Lower Midwest |
-24.2% |
-21.5% |
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8 Upper Midwest |
-23.5% |
-17.7% |
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9 Mountain |
-2.8% |
2.1% |
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10 Southwest |
5.2% |
5.1% |
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11 Northwest |
2.1% |
4.7% |
Public facilities fall into one of three categories based on peak season weekend green fees with cart
Premium (High) - Above $70
Standard (Middle) - $40-$70
Value (Low) - Below $40
Region 10 includes Hawaii; Region 11 includes Alaska.
About the NGF
The mission of the National Golf Foundation, founded in 1936, is to help golf businesses succeed by providing marketing, research and other consulting services. Based in Jupiter, Fla., the NGF serves many constituencies in the golf industry, including equipment manufacturers; builders and developers; facilities and practice ranges; course architects; retailers; turf maintenance suppliers; golf associations and the media. For more information, visit www.ngf.org.
Visit NGF's Press Release Archive for previous issues.
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