No More Golf Courses Please

According to a study by consultant Roddy Carr, Bermuda needs a new public golf course.

Er, why? Bermuda currently has nine golf courses in its 53 square kilometers, a greater density than anywhere else in the world. Although they're highly scenic and I enjoy playing on them as much as the next person, the last thing we need is another one. There's already enough pressure on Bermuda's limited space.

Mr. Carr believes that Bermuda could earn an additional $19m per year from golf tourism if his recommendations are adopted, which also include urgent improvement work to the existing courses. Even if every cent of that $19m were to come as a result of the new course, that's still less than the Bermuda's notoriously tight-fisted cruise ship passengers spend here every year, and over 13 times less than its air arrivals. It would barely be enough to pay half of the tourism department's annual marketing budget.

Isn't building housing for Bermudians more important than bringing in a few more tourist dollars?

Comments

[JenJoyful on 29.02.04 at 14:52]

Or, if they really feel that the money needs
to be used to boost tourism what they need
to do is help create a wider variety of
activities. Not everyone that visits Bermuda
wants to golf.
I think the nightlife here is in desperate
need of a boost so that they can attract a
younger generation.

[Eric on 01.03.04 at 12:56]

Technically, I am not sure the younger generation has the money to spend to justify trying to cater to them. That said, the ones that are already here would obviously enjoy having something to do. I'm not sure what sort of nightlife scene needs to be added, but it is an interesting point.

I am all for golf courses were they needed - but I honestly can't possibly imagine anyone saying "oh yeah, I was going to go to Bermuda, but it is so hard to find a tee time there... if they had one more public course, then I'd go all of the time".

[SmokingGun on 09.06.06 at 11:56]

Lo and behold - Tourism takes over the public golf courses and the first thing out of the Minister's mouth is Wendell Brown is the head of the course management committee. A civilian no less, which must really piss off the Colonel especially as he will have to answer to him. Not the same WB that just bought SAL and has decided to take it private? Not the same person who is obviously now very privy to what might exactly be what the good Doc Brown has planned for St. Georges but cannot tell us "yet" if it's being hawked off to a private concern. Or as he said to Dave Dodwell: Um, Um, Um, at least "Not at this time."

Better take care of yourself and make your millions today because you won't be able to afford the future. Par for the course for Bermuda today.

[Darkside on 09.06.06 at 12:09]

SG, is Wendel related to Ewart?

[SmokingGun on 09.06.06 at 13:03]

Good question Darkside, but I will have to leave it up to someone else to say yes or no.

[Sleepy on 09.06.06 at 13:09]

Cousins.

[Darkside on 09.06.06 at 13:32]

Thanks Sleepy ... (sigh) ... aren't we all?

[SmokingGun on 09.06.06 at 22:37]

Sure wish I was......