| Originally reported by Spectrum News |
Known for its beaches, sea turtles and views of rocket launches, New Smyrna Beach, Florida has never been thought of as a golf destination. Local leaders want to change that.Their pitch? A hidden selling point: The New Smyrna Beach Golf Club is a true Donald Ross design and falls in the same architectural vein as the famous Pinehurst No. 2.
The municipal course, opened in 1956, currently records approximately 50,000 rounds per year, with half of all play concentrated between December and March. The city has hired a consultant to determine whether the course is worth a significant reinvestment – and whether New Smyrna Beach could appeal to the booming golf travel market.
A missed opportunity?
Officials believe the course’s Ross pedigree could attract many more golfers, especially during the slower summer and fall months. If the city could double the rounds this offseason, it would provide a major financial boost.
But to achieve that, the course needs more than name recognition, according to leaders. The evaluation pays close attention to:
– Clubhouse call
– Amenities and guest experience
– Whether the course alone is strong enough to attract golf travelers from out of town
Where the rounds come from
Of the 125 to 150 rounds played daily, about half come from Orlando-area golfers willing to make the hour-long drive. That cohort currently represents the majority of the club’s “tourist” traffic.
A Pinehurst comparison
City officials point out that golfers routinely spend big money to play Pinehurst No. 2, a course Ross also designed. Their thinking: If golfers want to travel to North Carolina for a Ross experience, why not New Smyrna Beach, where it’s warmer and the beach is minutes away?
With its historic architecture, sunny climate and existing traffic from Central Florida, the city believes New Smyrna Beach Golf Club could evolve from a busy local community to a legitimate anchor for golf destinations.
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