"Industry Leaders On How Golf Might Take Advantage of Covid-Fueled Bump"

The National Golf Foundation reached to executives and a strong variety of leading figures in golf, with hopes of hearing how they view golf’s “opportunity” created by the pandemic.

While it’s mostly a lot of vapid corporatespeak (engage!) and light on specific ideas, I did enjoy this from Kemper Golf’s Steve Skinner.

These scream like the operational priorities to me, too:

-We must welcome juniors, families and new golfers with open arms. This includes creative ideas like free, 15-minute introductory lessons, junior rates and family tee times. We should also continue to create and renovate alternative courses (short course, par-3s and putting courses) and consider alternative types of formats (scrambles and team play, such as PGA Jr. League).

-We must consider seniors, who still represent the game’s most loyal players but fall into a higher risk category. Be sensitive to their needs and consider their behavior in operational protocols.

-Create an efficient food and beverage system for delivery and grab & go options. Expand to-go selections and consider app-based delivery services to guests on the course. Creating more outdoor dining spaces is also key to supporting a limited F&B system during this time.