Local Experts Discuss Future of Golf, Country Clubs

There is looming uncertainty over the viability of country clubs and the sport of golf itself, although one thing is certain:

“The game isn’t growing from the youth on up as it was in the past,” said Tom Rhoads, an associate professor at Towson University and expert in the field of sports economics research. “The game is not getting any larger.”

Patch reached out to Rhoads—who has spent 15 years in the field of applied microeconomics relating to sports issues—to discuss the future of the sport in the wake of Chestnut Ridge Country Club’s Sunday closing.

The club planned to shut down operations, , after decades of providing an upscale private course to the people of Baltimore County.

Rhoads attributed a lack of interest in the game at the youth level, as well as an uncertain economic climate to the challenges these private clubs, like Chestnut Ridge, now face.

“Tough economic times, people are pinching here and pinching there and a country club membership is one of those places where I’m sure people would likely try to save some dollars with the family budget,” Rhoads said.

The Towson University professor said there was a boom in popularity for golf in the early 2000s, when the economy was solid.

“So the economy was going strong, the golf game was growing, more and more people came onto the scene at country clubs,” he began. “Now that the game is slipping in popularity, now the economy is sliding down a little bit, you’re going to get those people who came into the golf scene, those are probably the ones who are getting out right now.”

In Lutherville, dozens of Chestnut Ridge members left the club in April because the club was “” financially, according to an attorney representing the members in a civil suit.

Rhoads said that the clubs that invested heavily in site improvements during the boom era are now more at risk.

“If these country clubs started to grow and make expansions with their operations, based on those numbers to keep strong, those are the ones who are in trouble, I think,” he said. “It’s just like with certain business, if they over expanded, they run into problems when there is tough economic times.”

The game has changed for the clubs that are seeing fewer members and more bills. Instead of offering some of the more refined additions to the club, Rhoads suggested that clubs put off any sort of capital projects and instead focus on growing the base.

Joe Rahnis, director of golf operations for the Baltimore County Revenue Authority, said the county has recognized the negative effect the economy has had on the sport and are now trying to fight if off with incentives.

“The economy has certainly affected the entire golf industry. I don’t care if you’re a resort, public or private [course],” Rahnis said. “We try to take advantage of those golfers who may have to leave their clubs or have to cut down on the number of times they’re playing golf by coming up with creative programs like our Four Star Club Membership.”

The special membership is a flat fee, which allows year-round access to county-managed courses. Conversely, private clubs have traditionally set dues assessments, which can fluctuate based on the club’s needs and the type of membership.

Rahnis said he was unfamiliar with the issue facing Chestnut Ridge, although he expressed his sympathies as a golf enthusiast

“It’s a club that’s been around for a long time and it’s unfortunate that they’re going through what they’re going through,” he said.

“Nobody in the golf industry likes to see a golf course, especially one that has ties to the community like they have, going through what they’re going through right now," Rahnis said. "I feel for them and their membership.”