Page 28 - GBC Winter 2020 ENG

The exterior walls of the golf simulator rooms constructed inside the old curling club facility at Rossmere.
The expansion plan required an overall investment of almost $500,000, which included a major construction project inside the curling area, state of the art Trackman launch monitors along with multiple large screen televisions, a restaurant/bar seating area and more. This capital investment also afforded Rossmere the opportunity to retain a number of their staff on a year-round basis. From an HR and staff satisfaction perspective, being able to retain key staff members and provide full time employment for eight staff members has been an integral part of the Rossmere success story.
When the renovations were complete and ready to open in the fall of 2019, Rossmere hosted an open house event targeting their membership and the community at large. Well over 250 people attended the event and the 2019/2020 golf season was ready to go. Word then spread around the city once people saw what Rossmere had to offer and it snowballed in a great way.
MEMBER ENGAGEMENT AND ROI
Rossmere’s pivot into the world of indoor golf simulators has been a game changer for the facility. From dramatic improvements in their cash flow, especially during the winter months, to the overall effect it has had on their bottom line, their new revenue stream from the golf simulator represents 10 to 15% of their total revenue.
Since the establishment of the golf simulator bays, which is aptly named: The Sim Shack, food and beverage revenues have been $0.84 for every $1.00 in golf simulator revenues. From a merchandise perspective, being able to conduct club fittings and lessons during all months of the year has greatly added to the value proposition at the facility.
The Club launched their men’s, ladies, and senior leagues along with a couples league in their first full season of expanded operations. With 88 teams in their simulator leagues last year and 35 new members this fall, who are all participating in the winter simulator league, Rossmere is anticipating increased numbers for the winter season.
Currently, they have 50 new teams registered and are anticipating a total of 150 teams for the 2020-21 simulator season. League play included 10 games plus playoffs starting in April and the facility is open daily from 9 am to the last tee time at 8 pm.
28 Golf Business Canada
The sitting area at the back of one of the golf simulator rooms with the Trackman launch monitor on the table at Rossmere.
“The results have been simply phenomenal and a game-changer for Rossmere Golf & Country Club,” Parker states. “We had a vision and a plan of what we wanted to do and where we wanted to take the experience. This has created a year round sporting facility which allows us to be financially successful while engaging our members throughout the seasons.”
HUMBOLDT GOLF CLUB
Another example of leveraging the benefits of indoor golf simulators is the Humboldt Golf Club in Humboldt, Saskatchewan. Humboldt is located approximately 115 kilometres east of Saskatoon and the golf course is the centre of attention during the summer months for the 6,000 people living in the community. Their 18-hole layout has evolved over the past seventy-five plus years and has an active membership of 200 members.
During the 2019 golf season, General Manager, Corey Schweitzer, presented the concept of expanding the operations to include indoor golf at their facility. Known for their long, cold winters in the heart of the Prairies, the Humboldt Board approved the business plan.