Long drive: Golf traffic steady despite gas prices

Gas prices are up. The economy is down. Despite that double dose of bad news, golfers are still hitting the links.

Golf notes: Mesa's Watkins leads Gateway tourney

Research performed by the National Golf Foundation shows participation in golf around the nation is nearly equal to last year, and increased in April by 2.5 percent from the same time in 2007.

No numbers were available for Arizona, but anecdotal information suggests a similar pattern in the state.

For example, Brett Greenwood, the general manager at Eagle Mountain in Fountain Hills, has seen a 2 percent increase in rounds this year compared to the same period last year.

It's the way Arizona courses are attracting business that is something new.

"(Normally) our local golfer would take this time to play all the places that you can play in the summertime with a pretty good value," said Jay Larscheid, director of golf at Longbow Golf Club in Mesa. "They wouldn't have a problem driving to those locations."

But with the rising price of gas, golfers are becoming more economical.

"The golfers are smart," Larscheid said. "They do their homework, they know what's out there. They know who's in good shape, who's not in good shape. You have to be real active to stay in front of (the competition)."

Rob Bartley, director of golf at Camelback Golf Club, understands the hit his customers are taking all too well.

Each morning, Bartley drives his car 30 miles from Cave Creek to the golf course in Paradise Valley, and 30 miles back each night.

In this climate - with gas prices skyrocketing - it's no relaxed cruise.

Since Bartley hated doing it for work, he knew some of his golfers would think twice about making the drive for leisure.

So as an added incentive, Bartley instituted Fill-Up Fridays. Every time a golfer plays a round at his course, they get entered in a weekly drawing for a $200 gas card from Shell.

"Everyone has a certain amount of money," Bartley said. "I'm not crazy. I certainly understand people are spending more money now on food and gas. (This promotion) allows us to hold our own or gain a little."

Another unexpected way that courses have offset any decline in local participation has been an increase in foreign customers.

The weakened dollar has made the United States more attractive, and Canadians especially are making the trip to Arizona.

"We had many more Canadians this spring," said Ryan Stemsrud, director of golf at Sedona Golf Resort. "An amazing amount."

"We have a strong Canadian contingency, and it was more so this winter," Larscheid added.

With a resort atmosphere in a place like Sedona, Stemsrud's course is undoubtedly a destination point.

While the Canadians are making the trek, a worry for golf courses in that same mold would be a decrease in American family vacationers to the area.

However, Stemsrud said it could actually be a benefit. He's hoping fewer long vacations translate into more weekend getaways.

"A lot of time we get a lot of heavy weekends with people trying to beat the heat (from the East Valley)," Stemsrud said. "It's a continued selling point.

"Gas is a problem, but it's probably not going to be more than $10 (extra) or so. I think it's still a good situation."

No one is sure what the rest of the summer will bring.

Promotions and unplanned spikes in certain clientele are quick fixes, but mostly, golf course directors are crossing their fingers for an early fall.

"We'll just have to wait and see," Greenwood said. "Sometimes, you just have to hope you have a good enough winter to sustain."