The Rob Report

So Far, So Good

WHILE I TRY TO make a point of looking forward and not dwelling on the past, six months seems like a prett y good ti me to take a peek back at the year thus far.

January is always the start of our busy travel season, which opens up in Orlando, Fla. for the PGA Merchandise Show. This is a great opportunity to chat with Head Golf Professionals from around the country to see what they’re going to be stocking in their Pro Shops once Fall/Winter rolls around. Because COVID numbers were spiking in the Sunshine State, I decided to take a pass on an in-person visit but followed along virtually. I vow to have boots on the ground in 2023.

Joe Barks, who took on the role of Editor Emeritus, penned the club feature on Catt ail Creek Country Club for the January issue. The Glenwood, Md. club recently unveiled its completely renovated clubhouse that enti ces members to visit more frequently and off ers myriad reasons to sti ck around a litt le longer.

The opening issue of 2022 also included the much-anti cipated Club + Resort Chef Cookbook and a special report on the Leaders in Clubs + Resorts. Needless to say, it was a big producti on to kick off the year … and my ti me as Editor.

We previewed the CMAA World Conference and Club Business Expo in our February issue. Having fl own out to San Diego, Calif. for the GCSAA Conference and Trade Show a couple weeks earlier, it was a bit of a stressor hopping on another crosscountry fl ight so quickly. If you’re “keeping score” at home, you’ll remember that airplanes became an unexpected hurdle in my life in December 2019. The trip, of course, was worth it and we gleaned so much valuable informati on from booth visits and the annual Idea Fair.

Joe, again, penned our club feature— this ti me on Rogue Valley Country Club in Medford, Ore. The private club stands out for many reasons, but a few more-notable diff erences are batti ng cages, sand volley-

It’s July, which marks the six-month period of my role as Editor of Club + Resort Business. Thankfully, working closely with Joe Barks from the time I joined the magazine, we were able to make a fairly smooth transition.

ball and full-court basketball. Sounds like my kind of club!

We said hello to Top Ranked 2022 in March. Culinary Experiences led the way and we gathered valuable data from clubs across the country. For instance, 52% of clubs have a F&B minimum, 67% have a Sommelier on staff , and the average food cost in Top Culinary Clubs is 42%. How do these numbers match up at your club?

Joe profi led Grand Harbor Golf & Yacht Club in Ninety Six, S.C. for this issue. Grand Harbor sits on the shores of an 11,400-acre, man-made lake and boasts a popular pizzeria. The Davis Love IIIdesigned golf course features replicas of Revoluti onary War-era forts and structures … and even a moat.

Top Ranked Fitness & Wellness Faciliti es highlighted April and we, once again, learned a great deal about the industry. The average size of fi tness faciliti es was a litt le more than 20,000 sq. ft . and 83% of clubs included spa faciliti es. Also, the average club has about $440,000 in equipment, while Addison Reserve Country Club led the way with $2,000,000.

Joe said goodbye with his fi nal club feature … this ti me shining the spotlight on The Springhaven Club in Wallingford, Pa. The suburban Philly property has a wonderful new Athleti c Center and an enthusiasti c band of members and staff to drive the club, which was founded in 1896.

Did you know the average size of Top Ranked Aquati c Centers & Pools is a litt le more than 34,000 sq. ft .? You would if you read our May issue. You’d also know that Bald Head Island (N.C.) Club received the highest grade of those who submitt ed data.

I’m hesitant to delve too deeply into the June issue since it’s so fresh, but I will extend kudos to Woodfi eld Boca Raton (Fla.) for being given the Top Ranked Racquet Faciliti es crown. Congratulati ons! It was also our always-popular Ideas Issue. This year didn’t disappoint as clubs conti nue to innovate.

What does the rest of 2022 have in store? Stay tuned. We’ll conti nue our Top Ranked series and visit more properti es to share what your peers are doing to keep members and guests happy, healthy, and ready for more. I’ve got a couple holes in my schedule. Give me a good excuse to feature your property.

Rob Thomas • Editor

rthomas@wtwhmedia.com