Gallus Golf CEO Jason Wilson opines on the most important things course operators should consider before telling golfers to download a golf app.

It’s undeniable there have been more golf course closures than openings in the U.S. over the past 13 years. But do you realize that more than 720 golf courses have opened around the country during that period? That total, during what’s looked at as a “down period” for the industry, is more than the entire golf course supply in nations such as Scotland, Ireland, Spain and South Africa.

Rockwood Park appeared headed for the same fate as two other Fort Worth municipal golf courses that closed, with no significant capital improvements over its 80-year history and deteriorating conditions that led to declines in revenue and rounds-played. Today, a $5 million renovation project is paying off — both for the city and golfers in the community.

There’s often surprise expressed by journalists, politicians and the general public that a municipal golf course, or system of courses, might actually “lose” money for a government entity. But making money isn’t the primary motivation that drives a municipality to offer golf as recreation for its residents. Still, the reality is that the majority – about 67 percent — of public-agency golf courses and facilities report making enough revenue to cover all on-site operating expenses.

The NGF’s annual Facilities Report provides a comprehensive overview of golf facility supply in the U.S., the world’s best-supplied golf market.