Sandhills Golf Season Picking Up

by Hilary Kraus
(Fayetteville Observer)

PINEHURST - More golfers are heading to the Sandhills region this year as the industry's peak season arrives, tourism officials said.

While 2009 was a disappointing year for the industry, early golf vacation bookings indicate things are beginning to turn around.

The number of bookings was dismal in January and February, mainly because of the unseasonably cold winter and a shaky economy, experts said. But as spring arrives, bookings are up 5.7percent from last year at several courses.
Golfers also are taking advantage of deals, said Lorraine Owen, who books golf vacations with Talamore Golf Resort in Southern Pines.

"People feel more comfortable. Last year, people wondered if they'd still have a job," said Owen, who books tee times at 20 courses. "Things have settled in a little more."

Caleb Miles, president of the Moore County Convention & Visitors Bureau, said he sees signs that business is improving.

Golf's busiest season - March 1 through May 25 - accounted for 26 percent of last year's business, Miles said.

"We have heard from some courses that their advance bookings for March and April are ahead of last year's pace, but we don't have this read from everyone, so it's very unscientific," Miles said. "But it's encouraging."
The Sandhills Golf Association - which represents 14 courses, including 10 in Moore County - reported golf vacation bookings from March 1 to June 30 are up 5.7 percent from the same time last year. The number reflects rounds booked as of Feb. 28. There are 34,481 bookings this year compared with 32,629 last year.
Golf vacation bookings are defined as rounds booked by hotels and vacation planners for their customers.

"It's temporarily good news. As of the end of January, (bookings) look good," said Pat Barnhart, office manager for the Sandhills Golf Association.
Golf courses are still recovering from this year's low turnouts in January and February.

The Sandhills Golf Association reported 24,569 golf vacations were booked during that time. That's a drop of 21.7 percent from the same months last year.
This week's inclement weather cost Tobacco Road Golf Club about 300 to 400 rounds, said Chris Brown, president of the Sandhills Golf Association. Brown is the head golf professional at the Sanford course.

Seven Lakes County Club was closed seven days in January and February because of unplayable conditions. In past years, it closed no more than two days during the winter, said Gene Roberts, the club's head golf professional.
"Operationally, for the next nine months, we're going to be digging out of the hole the weather has created for us the first three months," said Mike Spayd, general manager of Seven Lakes County Club. "There's no way around the fact that the economy has an effect on our business, but the weather has been a force to contend with the last two winters."

Spayd said the club had a record year last year for nonmember play. Seven Lakes was named 2010 Sandhills Golf Association course of the year.
Things also are picking up at Pinehurst Resort, said Janeen Driscoll, communications manager at the resort.

Driscoll said the resort is seeing patterns in short-term bookings and value-based package offerings.

"Everyone in our industry is happy to see 2009 in our rear-view mirror," Driscoll said. "The declines we saw last year were significant."
Steve Pattison, who owns a bar and restaurant in Pinehurst, said he feels the same way.

Pattison said business at the Darling House Pub & Grill is down 30 to 35 percent compared with last year.

"The economy, the weather have been killing us," Pattison said. "Without the golfers downtown, everyone downtown loses out."

Pattison said the increase in golf vacation bookings is encouraging.