Taking Action To Increase Membership—

Golf Courses Fight Through Bad Weather ... And Bad Economy

By Andy Hutchison

Golf season is in full swing at the town’s two courses — Newtown and Rock Ridge Country Clubs. The courses have been up and running since late March. As always, rainy, sometimes cold early-season days result in fewer golfers out on the greens and fairways (and yes, the sand traps), but this year golf course personnel not only have bad weather to contend with, but a bad economy as well.

Dealing with crummy weather comes with the territory, but both country clubs have, as an unwelcome change of pace, taken measures to offset the economic downturn.

“We’re all looking for members,” said Rock Ridge Country Club Director Of Operations and 14-year Head Golf Professional Bill Flood.

“Every private club in the state — I think — found that they lost some members due to the economy,” added Paul Miller, golf professional for 15 years at Newtown Country Club.

Flood and Miller both confirmed that courses throughout the area — including his and Newtown Country Club just down the road — are not charging initiation fees for new members as a way to try to bolster business.

Flood said the percentage of members dropped about 20 percent since last fall, but that nearly half of that percentage has come back thanks to the no initiation offering.

At Newtown Country Club, meanwhile, the club lost about five percent of its golfers beginning last fall, Miller said.

“We’re holding our own — we’re doing well,” said Miller, adding that the fact the country club has been around since 1915 and is “a good deal” keeps the numbers up.

Steve Smith, certified golf course superintendent at Rock Ridge, said the country club has had to alter its budget to offset the loss of members.

“You have to modify your labor to get more done with less,” Smith said.

Personnel at both country clubs are counting on Mother Nature lending a helping hand.

Every weekend thus far has been at least partially washed out by rain for the local country clubs. On a not so nice day only a handful of golfing die-hards will come out to the course, but — as April showers give way to May flowers — things are expected to pick up.

“In April you have more bad days than good,” Miller said. “People are chomping at the bit to get out.”

And Flood believes they will continue to come out once they get a taste of golf for the first time this season.

“You hit a good shot and you want to come back for another,” Flood said.

For information about the Newtown Country Club call 426-9371 or visit newtowncountryclub.com.

For information about Rock Ridge, call 426-2106 or visit rockridgecc.com.