Golf equals money in Michigan. How much exactly? Read on and find out how directly and indirectly the precision sport of competition and leisure impacts the state's economy.
The economic strength that accompanies a golf course like
Angels Crossing Golf Club in Vicksburg may surprise those who think golf is simply driving for show and putting for dough.
"The more people you draw, the better it is for the community," says Jeff Rohrstaff, 39, entering his second season as Director of Golf at Angels Crossing, a course that in many ways is a microcosm of Southwest Michigan places to play.
Rohrstaff knows a thing or two about the golf scene in the Kalamazoo area; he was the head pro at the City of Kalamazoo-owned Milham Park Golf Course for 16 years.
"There are so many great places to play within a 30 minute drive of Kalamazoo," Rohrstaff says. "I don't get into the business of ranking our course, but
Golfweek magazine and Golf Digest consistently rank it one of the best public courses in Michigan, and there are so many other great courses around here. Golfers in this area are lucky. And with so many golf courses, it really is a help to the economy."
The golf season in Michigan runs from approximately May to October, yet the state trails only Florida and California in number of golf courses. At last count, Michigan checked in at third with 971, behind the Sunshine State at 1,261 and California at 1,007.
That translates into a lot of money for the state. Michigan's direct golf economy in 2008 was approximately $2.2 billion, according to a
2010 study conducted by the
World Golf Foundation. That's comparable to revenues generated by industries as important to Michigan as motor vehicle steering and suspension components ($2.8 billion), medical equipment and supplies ($1.9 billion) and breakfast cereal manufacturing ($1.3 billion).
There's more. Golf brings visitors to Michigan, drives new residential construction, generates retail sales and creates demand for myriad of goods and services. In 2008, Michigan's golf industry generated a total economic impact of $4.2 billion, creating 56,977 jobs with $1.4 billion of wage impact.
Courses such as The Prairies in Kalamazoo, Milham Park, Olde Mill Golf Club, in Schoolcraft, and Indian Run Golf Club, in Scotts, are just a few of the public courses that help keep the economy humming and golf aficionados happy in the Kalamazoo area. Now Angels Cross is among that number.
The Village of Vicksburg completed its first season of ownership of Angels Crossing in 2010 -- also Rohrstaff's first season as director of golf. The village purchased the course at the end of 2009 for $1.2 million after agreeing to a $200,000 payment plus $50,000 a year.
Generally there are two concerns when a course becomes municipally owned: public funding will mean the municipal owners will be forced to cut corners and the course's quality will suffer; or that taxpayers will forced to foot the bill in order to keep the facility's reputation at a top level.
Neither has been the case at Angels Crossing. In fact, just the opposite is true.
"The golf course itself has been completely self-sufficient, and if you ask the people that play, I don't think anyone will tell you that it falls short of expectations of a great place to play," Rohrstaff says. "And for the price, you can't beat it."
And, what of that price? With greens fees ranging from $39 to $44 including a cart, and seniors playing for a hard-to-believe $29 on weekdays, it can't be beat. With a sterling, links-style course built on Southwest Michigan prairieland, Angels Crossing could command a much higher price. But Rohrstaff is careful not to overcharge.
"You have to make sure you remember who your client base is," he says. "You have to keep them coming through the door. Just like any business, if you do something to get them looking elsewhere, you've got trouble."
Angels Crossing will open even more eyes this spring, as it opens a brand new 4,900-square-foot clubhouse. Ground was broken in mid-March, and plans are to have the facility fully up and running by mid-June. The clubhouse allows for an expanded pro shop with more retail possibilities, a full bar, a "great room" to relax, a stone fireplace, and a full view of the wetlands.
Rohrstaff expects more rounds to be played at the course in 2011 thanks to the attraction of the clubhouse, adding to an already successful year in 2010. The Village bought the course after the previous owner experienced financial difficulties.
Needless to say, a resurgence is under way.
"The clubhouse will really pump up the golf course, and just add to our reputation as one of the finest facilities around," Rohrstaff says. "I'll be teaching more, we'll be selling more beverages, the pro shop will be getting more exposure and selling more clubs and equipment.
"As you can imagine, we're really excited," Rohrstaff says. "We'll have the ability to hold banquets for up to 120 guests. That's quite an addition to a golf course. It's quite an addition to the Village."
Jeff Barr loves stories, to hear them and to tell them. He is the author of "Golf's Best Kept Secrets," and "1001 Golf Holes You Must Play Before You Die." He can be reached at barrj88@gmail.com.
Photos
Jeff Rohrstaff is going into his second season as director of golf for Angels Crossing in Vicksburg where a new clubhouse is expected to boost the already popular course. Photo by
Erik HolladayThe holes at Angels Crossing offer the scenery the best Michigan courses are known for.
Photo by Erik HolladayAngels Crossing sits on a prairie in Southwest Michigan.
Photo provided by Angels Crossing