Doug Robb, the new general manager at the Osoyoos Golf Club, made a presentation recently to the Rotary Club of Osoyoos discussing the numerous challenges facing the golf industry since the worldwide recession a decade ago. After two decades of unprecedented success, the industry has had to adapt, but it still remains a $14.3 billion industry in Canada. Robb is shown with Rotary Club president Lynda Bliss. (Keith Lacey photo)

Like so many other industries that failed as a result of the worldwide recession in 2008, the golf industry has struggled to retain its market share since the largest financial crisis since the Great Depression back in the 1930s, said the new general manager of the Osoyoos Golf Club.

During a recent presentation to the Rotary Club of Osoyoos, Doug Robb said after an historic extended period of growth and success, where thousands of new golf courses were being built across North America in the 1980s and 1990s, things changed forever following the 2008 recession.

“Since 2015 alone, more than 50 golf courses in Canada have closed,” said Robb.

Throughout the 1990s, golf courses continued to be built at a rapid rate across the country and the industry enjoyed remarkable growth and success, he said.

“But then came 2008 and everything went sideways,” he said. “We were overbuilt.”

For more than 20 years prior to 2008 with the game enjoying unprecedented success due in large part to historic television ratings and the success of Tiger Woods, “people were running through the door and buying equipment.”

Retail outlets specializing in selling golf clubs and equipment were opening up every other day as businesses like Nevada Bob’s and Golf Town became hugely successful, he said.

While golf remains a $14.3 billion industry in Canada, the fact remains that many courses are struggling to remain viable, he said.

Because the game of golf continues to balance the consumption of time and money, golf course operators have had to look at changing the traditional business model, said Robb.

A number of 12-hole golf courses have opened up across North America as many busy people find committing to playing 18 holes too expensive and/or taking up too much of their time, he said.

The good news is that facilities like Osoyoos Golf Club, with its rare 36-hole layout covering two distinct 18-hole layouts, can succeed if properly managed and marketed, he said.

“The challenges here in Osoyoos are not unlike that facing the rest of the industry,” he said. “We’re fortunate to have a beautiful property with 36 holes, which is very rare.”

To generate additional revenue, many golf courses have expanded their business plan to include weddings and private corporate functions and this will continue at Osoyoos Golf Club, he said.

“We’re always looking at different ways to generate revenue,” he said.

While there are serious challenges, the fact remains golf is still a $14-billion industry in Canada and one that employs tens of thousands of people, he said. Golf tournaments also remain the most successful generator of revenue for non-profit organizations in Canada, he said.

After a few difficult years, business has improved at Osoyoos Golf Club over the past couple of years, he said.

“In 2016, we saw a bit of an uptick … and we didn’t see a decrease in the number of rounds played,” he said.

It has become imperative that golf courses continue to attract female members as well as juniors, he said.

He grew up caddying for his father and there were always tons of junior players falling in love with the game at a young age, “but those days are gone … it’s become very difficult to motivate and get youth to play. It’s a real challenge.”

The challenge to offer a quality sporting and recreation experience at a reasonable price that is affordable will never go away, said Robb.

Since starting his job a couple of months ago, Robb said he and his wife and family have come to feel right at home in Osoyoos and he’s counting down the days until the 2018 golf season can begin.

“We’re just waiting on Mother Nature right now,” he said. “I’m excited about the coming season and my wife and I are excited to be here.”

KEITH LACEY

Osoyoos Times