NEW SEASON, NEW HOPE FOR THE COSTA DEL GOLF

As the summer season draws to a close, with its bargain basement greenfees, local courses are preparing for a winter high season anticipating an increase in the numbers of visiting golfers between now and May 2009. This despite prophecies of worldwide economic gloom. In order to achieve this, many of our golf course administrators have at last taken heed of feedback from the people who really count (i.e. the people who pay to play) by pegging back greenfees, many of which have stayed at 2005 levels, but also by improving the level of quality, both of service and condition of golf courses. The latter has been apparent in the form of maintenance work being carried out during the summer, while greenfees are at their lowest, instead of waiting until paying clients are being charged the highest rate, while having to putt on temporary greens, or at best, on recently wcarified greens.

Many golf clubs have already set up a plan B, by offering residents club membership, which at least assures a regular income, should golf tourism not meet anticipated targets. However, it is in the interests of the Costa del Sol generally that golf tourism succeeds over the next few years, as it is solely responsible for the area’s wellbeing during the long winter months.

Tags: Costa del Golf, Costa del Sol, Golf Courses, new season