What’s the deal with golfers in the United States and their great fascination with the color green? Why is it that they insist that their home course or favorite course be perpetually green regardless of the weather or the season? It is, I fear, the Augusta National Syndrome. Since the advent of color television when golfers got a look at Arnold Palmer charging up the emerald green fairways of Augusta National, the golfer’s demand for green has had a steady, unrelenting ascent.
This is especially true for courses in the southern portion of the U.S. that remain open all year and must deal with dormant Bermuda grass in the winter time. In order to generate maximum play and get the maximum price the superintendent must overseed the entire golf course or at the very least all tees, fairways and greens. And should it happen that a few scattered patches of dormant grass still remain visible, the course is deemed to be in less than excellent shape and the natives are calling for the superintendent to be put into stocks in the town square. The whole situation becomes a conundrum. If we don’t make the entire golf course green in the winter, then we can’t charge high prices, however, we must spend thousands of dollars on seed, water and fertilizer in order to make every blade of grass green so we can charge high prices. The circle is never-ending.
Could we make the game a little bit more affordable by eliminating the total green factor? Could the multitude of dollars that we spend on “greening” the golf course, be applied to a reduction in fees to play? There is a chance that this might generate more play and, perhaps, create a little more interest in the game.
Comments
Amen, David.
In one respect, the state of our economy might be the best thing that's ever happened in golf in America. Facilities will have no choice but to cut back on spending to feed the "green factor."
Welcome to Team Examiner.
Dave - Thanks so much for the welcome. Let's hope this comes to pass.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!