Golf in Decline

The Gold Rush Ranch developers will tell you the golf course will be an economic boon to Sutter Creek. One need only scan the news (see box at left) to know that the expensive sport of golf is in economic decline. Golf is seeing net negative growth both in new courses built and rounds played. Golf courses and golf course communities are going bankrupt and being put up for sale.

In the 6-year period from 2001 to 2007, 462 18-hole golf courses have closed across the U.S. Since the 2008 housing crisis, even more have gone bankrupt. The numbers of people who golf are diminishing and the number of annual rounds played by people who do golf has gone from 25 to 20 over the last 5 years. This trend is attributed to less interest in golf by younger generations, a weakening overall U.S. economy in the last 10 years, a culture increasingly focused on time constraints and time prioritization, and pricing pressures as the cost of golfing continues to rise.

Is this what we want for Amador County? We already have two struggling golf courses. We don't need a third!