Page 30 - GBC Winter 2020 ENG

The hallway which connects all the simulator rooms with the Sim Shack Lounge at the far end of the hall at Rossmere.
The golf simulator area set up inside the banquet room of the Humboldt Golf Club.
Humboldt Golf Club invested approximately $75,000 to create two portable bays which were set up in their banquet room area, featuring great views of their outdoor spaces and tons of natural sunlight. They partnered with Par2Pro in Edmonton, AB, which supplied the Uneekor system on a five year purchase term for their golf simulator technology and provided an ideal platform for golfers of all abilities while keeping their start up costs low.
“Portability was the primary requirement based on the location inside our facility so the cost to construct the enclosures was in excess of $25,000,” noted Schweitzer. As technology improves, their long term plan is to sell their launch monitors on the used market every few years and upgrade as improvements are made to the software. Their upfront costs of impact screens, hitting mats and enclosures will not require upgrading as frequently.
STRONG ROI IN YEAR ONE
In the last month of operation before the COVID-19 shutdown in March 2020, which was their first season of operation, Humboldt saw over $12,500 in new revenues from food & beverage and golf
simulator rental. “At this number we’re seeing a comfortable return on investment and anticipate stronger revenues this year,” added Schweitzer.
The benefits of taking this leap of faith have also been felt both from a staffing and membership perspective. Running a year-round operation solves some of the staffing challenges a seasonal golf business can present. “Now that we are a year-round operation, it provides us with new opportunities for staff retention and satisfaction,” noted Schweitzer.
As well, their golf simulator program has given them the chance to stay connected and engaged with their members in the off-season, which has already proven to be a big benefit within the community. “We have seen the golf simulators have a positive effect on new golfers trying out the technology last winter and playing more golf in 2020 either as green fee or punch card players,” remarked Schweitzer.
“We have also seen golfers through the winter who are more avid golfers than we realized, as they typically spend summers at their lake and evidently only golfed at their resort course,” concluded Schweitzer.
GROW YOUR BUSINESS IN
THE OFF-SEASON
For Rossmere Golf and Country Club and Humboldt Golf Club, their evolution into the world of indoor golf simulators has created an environment for their members to stay connected to the club 12 months of the year. It has created avenues for teaching in the winter, a place for them to play and see their friends and socialize all year long while also opening the doors to non-members within the community to enjoy the experience.
Winter will bring an interesting dynamic this year, as many snowbirds who have traditionally flown south for the winter will likely be staying home. Rossmere remains very optimistic that with limited or non-existent travel this winter, the membership growth may be significant in 2021. “Our golfers who are snowbirds will have the opportunity to learn to play virtual golf without having to travel south,” noted Parker.
Similarly, considering that the winter months on the Prairies are not conducive to golf due to the cold and snow, the Humboldt Golf Club is looking forward to another successful indoor golf simulator season in 2020-2021.
Golf Business Canada
30 Golf Business Canada