Critical mass in the golf industry?

Have we come to the point of reaching critical mass in the golf industry? If central Ohio is an indicator, we might have.

Two private facilities in the area, Dornoch Golf Club and Winding Hollow Golf Club, have both been the subject of intense scrutiny this spring because of fiscal difficulties. Dornoch recently was sold at auction for a little more than $2 million by area real estate developer Ron Sabatino, who says he’ll operate the club this year but hasn’t given any commitment to the future. Winding Hollow, the traditionally Jewish club, is mothballed and the receiver in its bankruptcy is fielding offers on the property. Rumors are rampant about how much the club may the bank.

I don’t know how the rest of the country is going, but here in a hotbed of golf, the industry is in turmoil. Between competition from an overbuilt community of courses to foul weather and a static amount of golf participation, it’s a tough time to be in the business.

Of course, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that two new clubs are opening this year in the Columbus area, and both seem to be doing well. Northstar Golf Resort and Pinnacle Golf Club both are getting members from older facilities that are struggling. So the cycle continues. It will be interesting to see, by the end of this season, the direction we’re going and what key players intend to do about it.