Press Releases
Positive Outlook for 2011
Gaylord Golf Rounds Up in 2010
Gaylord, MI –
The Gaylord golf courses enjoyed a positive year in 2010 with rounds
increasing 4% from the previous year, according to the annual Gaylord
Golf Mecca Rounds Report issued in January.
For the
first time in five years the area courses saw golf rounds move upward, a
sign that the Michigan golf economy could be turning around. Though
rounds were not up significantly, the numbers are encouraging, since the
past five years saw rounds decrease steadily.
The
Gaylord Golf Mecca courses are comprised of five resort destinations and
a total of 21 courses that make up the golf destination in and around
the alpine village of Gaylord, Michigan. The courses collectively did
over 260,000 rounds from mid-April through mid-October.
“The golf industry has been a rough ride over the past five
years for golf courses and resort destinations due to the tough Michigan
economy”, said Paul Beachnau, Executive Director of the Gaylord
Area Convention and Tourism Bureau. “We are optimistic that the
uptick in rounds is a positive sign that the Michigan economy and
consumer confidence is improving.”
The
Gaylord area courses out performed the State of Michigan overall rounds
played, which were still down 1.6% from the previous year, as well as
national rounds, which were down 2.3%, according to Golf Datatech, a
golf industry research firm based in Kissimmee, Florida.
Beachnau
sights several factors that positively affected the Gaylord rounds.
“With the Michigan economy and confidence somewhat
improving, consumers are looking for great value when taking golf trips
and our courses have been offering great value. Consumers are also
staying closer to home versus taking a golf trip to out of state
destinations like Myrtle Beach, Pinehurst, or Florida, which will
benefit not only Gaylord, but other golf destinations in Michigan as
well.”
Kevin
McKinley, director of Golf at Treetops Resort, who serves as the
Chairman of the Gaylord Golf Mecca, believes factors such as the auto
industry rebounding and the Pure Michigan campaign having a positive
affect on rounds.
“The past few years saw the auto industry reach an all time
low, which negatively affected the Michigan economy and our golf
business in Gaylord, which has been dependent on the big three and its
suppliers for over twenty years”, said McKinley. “Last year
we saw the auto industry stabilize, GM make a comeback, and jobs
starting to return, which we believe is improving consumer confidence
and getting people back out traveling, even if it is within Michigan and
closer to home.”
“We also believe the efforts of Travel Michigan and the Pure
Michigan golf campaign over the past few years, including the use of
local Gaylord footage in national media buys, has helped to increase our
out of state golf business, which is higher then it ever has
been”, continued McKinley.
The golf
industry in the Gaylord area is one of the leading economic industries
employing 1,077 employees with payroll over $10.5 million, and property
tax contributions of over $1.1 million. Not bad for a small northern
Michigan county with a population of 3,600.
For
more information about the Gaylord Golf Mecca, visit www.gaylordgolfmecca.com or call (800)
345-8621.
Media Contact:
Fusion Media Strategies
Kevin
Frisch
(989)
614-0241
33.0° Gaylord, MI
