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Alternate use for golf course

12 posts
  1. Pamela Smith
    Pamela Smith avatar
    0 posts
    7/5/2016 5:07 PM
    Hello,

    I have been asked to look into temporary alternative uses for the golf course such as a festival, carnival, concert, etc. Does anyone have any experience with this? I can speculate and "what if" with the best of them so I am seeking constructive feedback from anyone who has actually experienced this type of temporary alternative use. Cross country meets are not a big deal as we have accommodated these.

    Thank you and appreciate your feedback.

    Pam Smith, director of agronomy
    Denver Golf.



  2. Clay Putnam
    Clay Putnam avatar
    33 posts
    7/5/2016 5:07 PM
    I have seen golf courses used...

    As a parking lot.
    As a fireworks display location.
    As a cross country track.
    For an outdoor wedding and reception.



  3. Stephen Ravenkamp
    Stephen Ravenkamp avatar
    1 posts
    7/5/2016 9:07 PM
    We've used our practice area to hold outdoor concerts.



  4. Charles Lafferty
    Charles Lafferty avatar
    0 posts
    7/6/2016 11:07 AM
    Movie night. blow up 50' screen somewhere close to clubhouse. Huge hit here



  5. Ronald Conard
    Ronald Conard avatar
    4 posts
    7/6/2016 4:07 PM
    Ours are used as ashtrays.



  6. Peter Grass
    Peter Grass avatar
    0 posts
    7/7/2016 7:07 AM
    Movie night was mentioned but we add an annual family campout on our 9th hole with a movie as part, next weekend as a matter of fact. Bring your own tent or sleep open air, blowup beds usually. Games and activities on the fairway that don't really mess anything up other than we give them a bunker to play in. Build a bonfire in the rough and resod it after. Have had several non hardcore golfing families say they keep their membership partly because their kids love the event.

    Clubhouse is close for restrooms and concessions for movie, breakfast buffet in the am. 4th year coming up and participation is up each year to over 140 now. Just remember to turn off the irrigation in that area !!

    Pete Grass, CGCS
    GCSAA President
    Hilands Golf Club
    Billings, MT



  7. Gary Carls
    Gary Carls avatar
    20 posts
    7/7/2016 12:07 PM
    Although I have no personal experience several courses in the Monterey area do upscale car shows on a few of their fairways each year.

    Gary K. Carls, CGCS, President - Oakland Turfgrass Education Initiative

  8. Chris Cook
    Chris Cook avatar
    0 posts
    7/12/2016 2:07 PM
    Peter Grass, CGCS said: Movie night was mentioned but we add an annual family campout on our 9th hole with a movie as part, next weekend as a matter of fact. Bring your own tent or sleep open air, blowup beds usually. Games and activities on the fairway that don't really mess anything up other than we give them a bunker to play in. Build a bonfire in the rough and resod it after. Have had several non hardcore golfing families say they keep their membership partly because their kids love the event.

    Clubhouse is close for restrooms and concessions for movie, breakfast buffet in the am. 4th year coming up and participation is up each year to over 140 now. Just remember to turn off the irrigation in that area !!

    Pete Grass, CGCS
    GCSAA President
    Hilands Golf Club
    Billings, MT


    Great idea Peter!



  9. Pamela Smith
    Pamela Smith avatar
    0 posts
    7/22/2016 3:07 PM
    Thank you all for the information. I am glad to see there is some experience out there. I hope you don't mind if I were to contact you personally for some words of wisdom as I get closer to working with this alternative use.

    Thanks
    Pam



  10. Jonathan Pokrzywinski
    Jonathan Pokrzywinski avatar
    0 posts
    7/23/2016 8:07 AM
    We've done a whole lot of events. Nervous at first, but these events have gone over pretty well. The fact is, we each have 120-200 acres of land that can be used for other things than golf.
    We have had:

    A drive-in movie night using golf carts on the course using a big screen
    Camp outs (really big annual event now)
    Several weddings every year in different areas of the course
    Cross country meets
    Antique car show
    My annual course tour (really popular event but really just an excuse for the membership to socialize)
    Fishing tournament with the membership



  11. Steven Huffstutler
    Steven Huffstutler avatar
    11 posts
    7/23/2016 8:07 PM
    A contest to see who can contract Zika first?



  12. Melvin Waldron
    Melvin Waldron avatar
    43 posts
    7/24/2016 8:07 AM
    I do know of a course that has a polo field. It also serves as the driving range. Club was actually built for polo, and they decided to try out this new fad of golf and put a golf course on property as well.

    Mel

    Melvin H. Waldron III, CGCS, Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield/Greene County MO

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