Gambling Directory

Total Golf Reports Business Upswing Compared to Sand Trapped Golf Industry

1/22/2004

In a year when many Michigan golf courses fought for their survival as a result of years of nation-wide economic decline hurting memberships, corporate spending on golf outings and recreational spending, Milford, Mich. based Total Golf, Inc. reports a banner year with a nearly twenty percent revenue increase.

Milford, MI - February 22 2004--In a year when many Michigan golf courses fought for their survival as a result of years of nation-wide economic decline hurting memberships, corporate spending on golf outings and recreational spending, Milford, Mich. based Total Golf, Inc. reports a banner year with a nearly twenty percent revenue increase.

Total Golf”s business has been on an upswing with the purchase of two properties, capital improvements within new and existing properties, new contract wins and renewals, industry accolades issued for many of its properties and increased revenues. At the same time, the Detroit golf market, faced with an abundance of golf courses and a stagnant economy has seen not only a decrease in revenues and rounds played, but also a decrease in the number of available golf holes as several facilities have been sold to housing and other commercial developers.

According to Golf Datatech, in the Detroit market rounds played were down 9.3 percent in June from June 2002. Year to date rounds were down 13.5 percent.

“Like many areas of the country, the Detroit market has faced an abundance of golf courses, the result of advice from the National Golf Foundation, in which many developers embarked on new projects throughout the 1990”s. This resulted in the market becoming saturated with new facilities as the economy declined, along with the number of golfers and rounds played. Consequently, the new facilities ended up cannibalizing the existing market share,” states James R. Dewling, President of Total Golf, Inc. one of the industry leaders in providing professional development, property management, consulting, financial and management solutions to the golf industry.

Earlier this year, Dewling purchased Mystic Creek, located within Camp Dearborn in Milford, Mich., from Golf Trust of America, Inc. Since purchasing Mystic Creek the golf course has been honored with being ranked 46 in a ranking of the best 50 U.S. golf courses for women by Golf for Women magazine. The magazine also honored Mystic Creek for being one of the best of the best for best value in the country.

Dewling and an investment group also purchased Oxford, Michigan”s Boulder Pointe Golf Club and Conference Center earlier this year. Since the purchases, both courses have received accolades ranking them as top Michigan public courses. Under Total Golf”s management, the courses have undergone several course and facility up-grades that have contributed to revenue increases and corporate and private bookings for both the 2004 and 2005 seasons.

Dewling and his Total Golf team have been consulting course developers, managers and owners for over twenty-five years. In addition to being involved with both the ownership and management of Mystic Creek, Boulder Pointe and several other golf properties throughout the state of Michigan, Dewling and his team provide turn-key solutions for course and range developers, managers and owners and have won several contracts and contract renewals over the past year to oversee course management, development, acquisition and marketing.

New contracts include a management agreement for Mulligan”s Golf Center in Auburn Hills, consulting for the Carlisle Group of Washington, D.C., and a consulting agreement with Forest Dunes Golf Club of Roscommon, Mich. A recent private club success includes Boulder Lakes of Chesterfield Township where under Total Golf”s management the club has seen significant membership growth, positive cash flow, internally funded capital improvements to the property, key personnel retention and aggressive reduction of debt structure.

A key factor in Total Golf”s success over the past year has been in the re-structuring of owned and managed properties. Total Golf has been able to help its properties achieve membership and rounds played increases, increased or realized profitability with positive cash-flow, capital improvements funded internally from positive cash flow positioning, retention of key personnel, reduction of debt structures through accelerated payments and negotiations, and the creation of ancillary revenue streams through merchandising, marketing and cross-promotional programs.

About Total Golf, Inc.
Located in Milford, Mich., Total Golf, Inc. has earned the reputation for providing sound, profitable answers to individual economic and management issues confronting golf courses and clubs today.

With over 25 years of experience in all phases of operations, course developers and managers select Total Golf, Inc. because it provides total service from initial concepts to ground-breaking, construction, opening and day-to-day management. As a single-form entity, Total Golf, Inc. offers turn-key operations that address every possible need for golf course and facility design, construction and management. Services include: administration, clubhouse, support services, promotion and marketing, research, course design and development. Total Golf played an integral role in the development of the Michigan Grand Golf Trail. Total Golf = Total Solutions.

Gambling Directory - Gambling Partners 1