Golf rounds played in the U.S. dipped 0.7% in April 2005 vs. April 2004, according to data provided to NGF by golf course operators around the country. The resulting year-to-date figure is 3.2% lower than the same period last year.
The Northwest region saw the largest decrease in rounds played for the month, down 19.1% against last year, while the Southwest saw the largest decline for the year-to-date period, down 9.1%. The Gulf Coast saw the largest gains for April, posting a same-store rounds played increase of 6.1% over April of last year, while the Mountain region saw the largest YTD gains with a 6.0% increase.
With hurricane season beginning in the Southeast and a major storm already springing evacuations along the Gulf Coast, well have to wait and see if the Wicked Witch of the Weather once again bears the blame for any golf industry struggles.
