The timing was ideal for the creation of Empire Golf Management Services, a new division of Empire Golf Management, says Don Carpenter, the division’s director. The division will focus on third-party management services, acquisitions and leasing, as well as performing selective consulting.
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“The reality is that there are an awful lot of golf courses and clubs that have been struggling for a few years,” Carpenter says. “That has happened for a variety of reasons - overbuilding, the economy and the fact that not as many people are joining clubs or playing golf. And some clubs have been under managed as well. Clubs are looking for help and that can come in a number of ways, from an outright purchase to managing or some kind of joint venture.”
Empire Golf Management, a subsidiary of Bergstol Enterprises, owns and operates nine championship golf courses in New York, New Jersey and Florida.
“Our clubs enjoy a certain reputation in the industry because we have a formula that works,” says Eric Bergstol, owner of Empire Golf Management. “We stress conditioning, service and efficient operations and that pays dividends. We now are working with other clients to expand our reach and philosophy.”
Carpenter was formerly Empire Golf’s director of operations. His experience includes a stint as vice president of management services for American Golf Corp. and chief operations officer for National Fairways. He believes Empire’s experience in the golf industry is a plus.
“Eric Bergstol has designed, built and managed great and successful golf courses, as well as clubhouses, so his company knows the business from start to finish,” Carpenter says. “Those on our staff have strong backgrounds in the golf and business world. We’ve run everything from low-end clubs and courses right up to Bayonne Golf Club (a recently opened, premier Empire Golf property in New Jersey).
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Empire Golf Management Services can be successful in a competitive field already populated by high-profile management companies such as Billy Casper Golf, Kemper Sports, Arnold Palmer Golf, Troon Golf and American Golf, Carpenter says.
“One of the things Empire brings to the table is that ability to be a full-service company,” he says. “Eric has 11 golf courses under his belt, and we can provide anything a client might demand, whether that’s conducting a feasibility study on whether or not a client should build a golf course, to hiring an architect and actually building the course and clubhouse. We feel there’s a niche for us in the marketplace.”
Empire Golf Management Services is in negotiations with a half dozen potential clients.
“We’re in this to find ways to help make struggling clubs financially viable,” Carpenter says.
For more information about Empire Golf Management Services or Empire Golf Management, visit www.empiregolfmanagement.com or call 877-425-8269.
