Sun-Up to Sun-Down: The Lives of Golf Course Owners - Hardcover

These stories focus on the entrepreneurs building or acquiring golf courses, their biggest achievements and challenges, and their perspectives on past, present and future trends in the golf industry. These stories attest to the perseverance, breadth of skills, and passion for the business and game of golf, and are as varied as the personalities of the people themselves.

In addition to the owners oral histories and summations of the lessons they have learned, this book reviews the history of the game of golf and its playing fields, the strengths and challenges of the golf industry over the past 10 years, and resources directing readers to the most influential trade associations leading the industry.

Until Tom Franklin started working on this book, there were no books on golf facility management or ownership. There are numerous books on golf history, agronomy and the responsibilities of golf course superintendents, golf course architecture, playing the game, tourism and the entertainment side of the industry. Sun-Up to Sun-Down aims to correct this void and provide insight into the roles played by those who have taken on this often frustrating but exciting business.

Inside this book, you'll find wisdom collected from 18 different golf course owners covering all aspects of the business, including the following: Financing and Budget Planning, Golf Course Design and Construction, Customer Service, Managing Staff, Being a Community Asset, The Joys and Perils of Partnership, Meeting Guests, Expectations of Quality, Seeking Advice from the Right Sources, Making Mistakes ... and Learning from Them, Too, Types of Ownership, from Multigenerational to Start-up Courses, from Corporate to Independent Mom-and-Pop Ownership, Emerging Trends in the Industry. You will also find a forward by Mike Hughes, CEO of the National Golf Course Owners Association.