Page 31 - GBC ENGLISH spring 2024

RESEARCH REPORTS
NGCOA Canada’s Rounds Played Reports to the end of October indicated a slight overall increase in rounds for the 2023 season. Although October play was lower than the previous year, the cumulative result for the 2023 season reflected a gain of 2.2%. Following three years of substan- tial increases since the pre-pandemic era, this led to aver- age rounds played in 2023 being 23.9% higher than the 2019 season.
The noteworthy aspect is the remarkable gain over the previous year, considering the challenging weather condi- tions encountered during the 2023 season. The usual April start was significantly delayed in many regions due to cold and wet weather, including an ice storm in Ontario and Quebec, resulting in many clubs being unable to open in the month. Wildfires in the west and continuous rain in the east further presented challenges for many operators. Although rounds increased by 8% in May and 6% in June, growth tapered off with minimal 1% growth in the key summer months of July and August. A brief rebound in September saw play 7% higher than in 2022, but October brought the first monthly decline in years, dropping by more than 12%.
Revenue increases followed a similar pattern to the Rounds Played data. May and June witnessed growth exceeding 12% but slipped to 9% in July and 4% in both August and September. October mirrored the rounds result, experiencing the first monthly decline in several months. Nevertheless, the national result for the year ending October 31st showed an overall increase of 7.2%. This likely reflects some dues and green fee rate increases as inflation and rising wage rates impact operating costs.
NGCOA Canada’s monthly Weather Reports provided clear insights into the varying conditions witnessed across the coun- try in 2023. Weather closure information was incorporated into this year’s reporting. Atlantic Canada led in this category with an average of 24 closures reported since May 1, translating to 3.5 weeks (almost a month) of lost play. Quebec closely followed with 23 lost days, while British Columbia reported the fewest closures, averaging just 6 per course for the season. In the relatively short Canadian golf season, each lost day is significant.
2023 Season Highlights
The Pulse of Canadian Golf Course Operations
Elevate your golf business with NGCOA Canada’s 2024 Golf Business Canada Pulse Report, offering crucial projections, revenue and expense analyses, and key benchmarks specific to Canadian golf courses. More than just numbers, this report unveils crucial macro-economic data and industry bench- marks, empowering you to fine-tune your game plan and stay ahead in the golf business landscape. From strategic projec- tions to actionable insights, the 2024 report is your key to elevating your golf business to new heights.
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Golf Business Canada
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