“I finished reading your book last week and have been meaning to send you a note of congratulations. What a great book for every golf professional or anyone running a golf property in our business! It should be a required book for all PGA members and apprentices. I would have enjoyed a piece like this years ago when I first entered the golf business in 1975. The fundamentals illustrated could be used in any business, but certainly apply to the golf business. I assure you I will use the book as a reference almost daily and certainly during my staff and mentoring meetings. Congratulations on a tremendous resource guide to the business of golf.”
~Steve Friedlander, General Manager and PGA Professional, Pelican Hills Golf Course
“Your book is a very fun, informative read. Thanks so much for taking the time to write such a thoughtful, informative and valuable resource for the golf industry. It’s easy to see that your insights are right on-target, but actual application in the golf industry is sorely lacking. I’m planning on using a lot of your book for our strategic planning session for next year, and integrating some of the stuff you have into our own business model. Your book is a “must read” for anyone in the golf business. I can understand why Clemson wants to use it in the classroom. The knowledge the PGM students will gain from this exposure will be a HUGE benefit to them as they embark on a career in the golf industry.”
~Del Ratcliffe, PGA, President, Ratcliffe Golf Services, Inc.
“Now that it is winter, I have finally had a chance to read your book. In two days I am on page 205 and I can’t put it down. Even though it is not geared so much to private clubs, I can’t begin to tell you how much I am getting out of reading it. I am one of the fifteen Master Club Managers worldwide through CMAA and I have over 5 pages of “take-away” ideas and I am only 2/3 through your book. Bottom line– Everyone in the industry should read this book, new managers in the industry, seasoned veterans, golf pro’s, controllers, and superintendents! Even the board of directors could benefit.”
~Paul Kornfeind III MCM, CCE, General Manager/COO, Tippecanoe Lake Country Club
“As a private club industry veteran, I have managed two golf courses (Nicklaus and Norman design) and served as project manager for the development of two others (one a Palmer design). I wish I had Keegan’s book prior to those positions. Not only does he thoroughly explain the business of golf, but offers a proven methodology for operating a course efficiently and profitably. Using his long experience as a golf operations consultant, the author offers real life examples of how to identify the key issues in an under-performing golf course and how to maximize the financial return of the business.”
~Ed Rehkopf
“Your book is a valuable resource and will pay significant dividends—not only in money made but in less time I will need to spend educating board members on why I do what I do. Your research and experience will do that job for me. First thing was to deprogram the Exec. Dir., Board Members, and Golf Professional concerning key performance indicators. For 5 years, they had been hammered with, and finally convinced that, “Revenue per Round” was the only indicator to be considered. Additionally, I used the information mid-July to demonstrate that I believed price cutting had gone too far, as evidenced by a declining “RevPar/RevPatt”.”
~Allen Parkes, Traditions at Chevy Chase, CGCS Supt/PGA Professional, General Manager
“I talked so much about your approach to the Golf Business. My book is in my office…dog eared, underlined, copied and quoted…so much the Regional VP asked to borrow it… I said “buy your own” and keep it with you and recommend to all the properties to read it! I’m a major fan…. You are my OPRAH!”
~Kate Minnock, Director of Sales/Marketing/Events, The Golf Club at Cypress Head
“I am a member of Olympic Hills Golf Club in Eden Prairie, MN. I was Vice President of the Board and Chairman of the Finance Committee for 3 years. Just prior to assuming the role of President I was asked by the owners to assist them evaluate the business opportunities. The need arose as a result of the ownership transferring to the next generation of family members. I found your book to be very helpful. I agree with many of your observations on the industry.”
~Peter L. Eaton
“I am reading this book along with Joe Fragala our new General Manager. I am learning a lot in this book so far. It is a “textbook” for depicting what successful golf operations are doing and what struggling ones must do. Jim’s book says statistically that 90% of our business will come from a distance of 10 miles or less. I simply can’t see how building golf villas would ever be justifiable for only 10 % additional business. The math just doesn’t work for me.”
~Bob Griffioen, Owner, Island Hills Golf Club
“We found your book and bought one copy and are now buying another to let others in leadership positions read what the “the business of golf” really is about. I have read it and highly recommended we use it as our “text book” to guide the club’s direction and policies”
~Lindsay Harp, Greens Chairperson, Crossings Golf Club