Junior golf became junior tours and college recruiting programs.
Junior events became about points earned instead of cheesy trophies and medals.
College scholarships for golf, seem to be a status symbol for many now. The pursuit to
earn a scholarship now costs close to the cost of a solid state education at many colleges.
In S California, $60-80 is considered an affordable green fee for a decent course, and tournaments
like JAGS and AJGA are amazingly expensive.
For my part, I charge $125 an hour for golf lessons at the private club I work at.
I did work for 6+ years at a non profit providing lessons for free to kids, but TBH, many have
told me my rate is too low, I just cannot fathom raising it right now, it's already pretty high IMO.
Some of the expectations of money to be made in the game is pretty screwed up.
I've had two close experiences with golf courses out here in Cal.
One, a public course, would raise their prices every time play rates increased. They would lose players,
lower their rates a bit, recapture their customers...rinse, repeat... it was so fucking stupid.
They finally have settled in their price point and are attracting a regular, pretty busy following.
At a private course I dealt with, they make money hand over fist, but seem to always push the envelope trying
to get every penny. A very short term outlook with no long term or back-end gains. There was always an
"acceptable loss" mentality to people they chased away. They hit their tipping point and are struggling now.
WIll be interesting to revisit there next year to see where they are.
My shining example...Goose Creek, MiraLoma, CA.
Built with a great plan, with a long term outlook in maintenance, and giving a product for the right price.
Have executed the original plan fantastically, still provide a great priced product, and are happy making their profits
at the original projections. Never bumped prices to "capitalize" on their spot, have stayed in their sweet spot.