Written by: Stephen Baughn

In a time when the golf market has been in a down spin over the last few years, it is increasingly imperative that golf courses recognize this fact and adjust.  Those courses that are able to successfully realize that they are no longer invincible will be the courses that outlast this turbulence in the market.  

For the purposes of this article and for the fact that this is the holidays the course in question here will remain nameless.  In addition, I will provide alternatives to the negative to show you, the reader and the paying golfer, that there are alternatives to the "smugness" that follows some courses.  

As just about all of you know, our Veterans and Teachers provide an undeniably valuable benefit to our lives.  Their service rarely yields glamorous pay or top quality benefits.  However, what they provide to us in terms of current and future benefit often times go unnoticed and unappreciated by many.  Yes, this was their career choice and yes many could have chosen a different career field that could have led them to greater pay.  However, they felt a calling to defend this country, to protect us from enemies, and to teach and prepare our children for their future.  

Recently, we were made aware of a situation in which a golf course located in Brevard County made public the fact that they offer discounted rates to teachers.  At first thought, you think what a great idea and how wonderful for this golf course to give back to its community, and offer those that aren't able to  possibly afford the game of golf on a consistent basis, a chance to get out and play at a reduced rate.   That is where all of the thought ends.  Did you know that in order to book a tee time at this reduced rate for this golf course, you can not call to book that tee time until one day before you want to play?  I understand them wanting to fill their tee sheet with the most expensive rates first, solid business decision.  However, to advertise that you offer a discount rate to teachers, and then to essentially say to them we will only give you the leftovers of what is left, and if there aren't any tee times, then you are out of luck is ludicrous.  

Now, if the above paragraph wasn't enough to make you upset, then maybe this will.  When this course was contacted regarding this, it took over two weeks for the general manager to respond.  Two weeks to respond to a simple e-mail regarding discounts for teachers, from a paying customer who had played dozens of rounds of golf at his course, shows that this course is not in touch with reality, and it shows that they under no circumstances understand nor do they appreciate their customers.  Even worse, it took two weeks for the general manager to respond to say that he still needed to talk to some colleagues about their discount offerings.  There was no other explanation, and now six days after that reply, a follow up e-mail has yet to be sent.

Being that this is the holidays, I would like to spread some cheer on a course that is doing great things.  Viera East Golf Club, located in Brevard County, Viera, Fl specifically has two special programs it is and has been offering.  Currently, all Active duty Military Personnel receive 15% off of their tee-time from the AM until 2pm time frame.  That is approximately a $5 savings off the most expensive tee-time.  More importantly, they lay it out in plain English on their website under their rates.  There is no qualifier that you can't book your tee time until the day before.  

In addition to this tee-time savings, Viera East has been running a series of FREE golf clinics for Veterans.  This is not publicized enough, and we here at My Golf Conditions applaud what Viera East has been doing.  To show even more, Viera East has a mission statement for these clinics

"Mission Statement: to establish an effective program designed solely around the message "Thank You" to show our veterans how much we appreciate their services and sacrifices."  

For more information on these clinics and Viera East, please visit the page for Viera East dedicated to their Veteran Clinics at http://vieragolf.com/sites/courses/view.asp?id=784&page=43282

Happy Holidays to all!

 My Golf Conditions