Did anyone happen to read the September Newsletter? It included the survey results from the 489 golfers that responded to a June survey.

Highlights:
A+ for affordability
A's for location & overall value

Lowlights:
C- for pace of play
C- golf course design (too hard for many I guess)
C- Food & Beverage

F- Amenities (Clubhouse, pro shop, locker room)

These letter grades are based on comparisons with other premium golf courses nationwide.

They are said to be focusing on the areas that respondents said were most important. So while the Overall Quality of the Golf Shop was given a "D" , only 5% of the respondents said that it was "important" to them.

I participated in the survey and received an e-mail with the results. I was astounded at some of the low ratings. I guess the other respondents play a lot classier courses than I.

I don't think they should be comparing themselves to "premium" courses. That's not what the Links is or ever will be. It's a municipal course...and a great one. If you want to drop some coin on a round there are plenty of options in the Chicago area with fancy clubhouses and courses that will require 3 sleeves of balls.

Look at our neighbors to the west. Arrowhead has a shiny new clubhouse, but their golf course isn't in the same league with the Links. Just my opinion.

Pace of play definitely needs to be addressed, but that could be said of the large majority of tracks out there.

Until I make "GE Fan Money" and go private the Links is the best deal going.

quote:

Originally posted by GE Fan:
I've always had nice experiences at the Links...

Liar! Didn't you miss state or something by one stroke there, not to mention other agonizing memories... Your posts are quickly becoming less credible.

Oh Fan, your relapse came long before this thread. Please remember your mantra and continue to focus on the future!

The Links does golf REALLY well. And, for Glen Ellyn residents, it is a great value for the money. Can it be more? Clubhouse, food and pro shop are largely fixed expenses - how can revenues be maximized with those services so that more money can be invested in the golf course, marketing (rounds played are still trending down,) at least minor repairs to the building, etc.? For example, internet connectivity could allow for small business meetings and fantasy drafts to be held there. Golden Tee or a golf pin ball game could offer some fun and some cash inflow.

On another note, two groups of seniors tell me that they travel up to Indian Lakes to play as the course is rated the same as the Links, but the round and cart cost much less, and they are treated like gold. Interesting...

4mp, those seniors are crazy. The courses are not even comparable. Maybe the 9 hole is comparable to Indian Lakes, but that is where the comparison ends....

Yeah - I'm not fan of IL. The new course is nowhere near as good as they pretend it is, and the old one is just a cow pasture.

Not even on my radar of courses in the area I like to play.

Fan - what is your objection to 15? I prefer it to 16 as a 5...

He is probably a little long and hits that bunker in the fairway, or his power fade hits the water...