"Most Recommended Advisers" by Golf Inc.

Construction Leaders | Need help? 18 Most Recommended Consultants

Steve Graves, president, Creative Golf Marketing

JULY/AUGUST 2024

DRIVING SUCCESS

LANDSCAPES GOLF MANAGEMENT President Tom Everett

ARCIS GOLF Founder and CEO Blake Walker

BOBBY JONES LINKS CEO & Co-Founder Whitney Crouse

These three third-party management companies are experiencing remarkable growth by redefining the way courses are managed, marketed and experienced.

Most Recommended

Advisers

Whether helping to revitalize slumping membership, rescuing struggling F&B operations or guiding course owners through complex financial transitions, these outstanding consultants have made a difference for their clients.

n adviser is a trusted source in any sector and a true gem in the golf industry. When facing management challenges, considering facility reno vations or thinking about selling a course, owners and operators often seek the insight of consultants with knowledge and expertise in those areas. Consultants can offer lifelines to deal with new technology, develop customized marketing to gain and retain members, determine valu ations and assist with acquisitions. They can also share research that helps understand the dynamics of consumer attitudes and behaviors and develop winning plans to help courses thrive. That’s the power of a good adviser. To determine this year’s list of leading advisers, Golf Inc. surveyed readers about their experiences working with industry consultants. We narrowed the list to 18 standouts who received significant praise for their work. Steve Graves President, Creative Golf Marketing Graves, a former golf professional, has always enjoyed crafting custom solutions for his private club clients. The founder and president of Creative Golf Marketing, Graves is a popular speaker in the industry with a special knack for identifying upcoming trends and helping turn clubs around. He has worked with about 1,300 of the 3,400 member-owned private clubs in the U.S. For 30 years, Creative Golf Marketing has been consulting with pri vate clubs of all kinds, including sports, yacht and ski clubs. It con tinues to focus on the basics to improve club revenues, marketability, efficiency and long-term stability.

By Donna Campbell and Michelle Weyenberg

26 Golf Inc. July/August 2024

Steve Graves, president, Creative Golf Marketing

July/August 2024 www.GolfIncMagazine.com 27

Most Recommended Advisers

Superintendents Association of America. His credentials include certification as a general appraiser in 13 states and licensure as a real estate broker in seven states. In the past year, Hirsh and his team have handled a variety of critical assignments in the industry. They include valuations for potential golf course acquisitions by home owner associations, marketing and valua tion services for municipalities selling golf courses, and financial reporting for private clubs involved with foreign entities. The team has also provided expertise in real estate tax assessments, developed exit strat egies for private club owners, consulted on acquisitions of member-owned clubs, and offered litigation support services for valu ation disputes and estate matters.

Graves’ current focus is on strategic marketing for private clubs that have spent an enormous amount of time and money on their governance models and capital investments. These clubs have con cluded that they must now focus on mar keting their offerings. They have turned to Graves, who has helped with membership growth, membership retention, financial performance, external and internal mes saging, brand enhancement, semi-pri vate to private status and elimination of refundable equity. Graves said he takes great pride in not just discussing these issues theoretically but developing actionable game plans that deliver the desired outcomes for his clients. “By focusing on tangible results, we ensure that each strategy is tailored to the unique needs of the private club, leading to their sustainable short- and long-term success,” he said.

Larry Hirsh President, Golf Property Analysts

Highly experienced in the golf course industry, Hirsh is known for his expertise and diversity of roles. He is a prolific author and sought-after speaker. With a notable career spanning valuation, brokerage and development, Hirsh has worked with more than 3,000 courses across 45 U.S. states and Canada. His achievements include broker ing more than $125 million in golf course properties and leading major development projects. Hirsh holds key memberships in promi nent golf organizations such as the National Golf Foundation, National Golf Course Owners Association and Golf Course

Golf & Resort Properties

left to right JEFF RICE Investment Sales Analyst BRANDON SCHEMPP First Vice President JEFF WOOLSON Vice Chairman/Managing Director BILLY KNIGHT Vice President (Based in Atlanta) DAPHNE HAGAN Senior Graphic Designer

JJ Keegan Strategist and Consultant

Our CBRE Golf & Resort group has expanded with three remarkable additions: Billy Knight, Brandon Schempp, and Jeff Rice. They bring a wealth of experience and fresh perspectives to our team, and will build upon our successful 2023 which included the sale of seven properties totaling over $282 million. Curious about our Golf & Resort group’s latest adventures? Stay in the loop by visiting us at CBRE.com/GolfandResort.

Keegan is a seasoned visionary strate gist and mentor in the golf industry, hav ing more than 30 years of experience and insight brought about through visiting more than 6,000 golf courses in 58 coun tries. As a consultant, he specializes in refining and executing visions for golf course owners, focusing on strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. His approach involves thorough environmen tal analysis and resource assessment, which leads to tailored strategies and implemen tation plans designed to ensure financial success. Keegan emphasizes the multifaceted nature of golf course management, which includes entertainment, dining, special events, athletics and retail, all within one large operation vulnerable to changing weather conditions.

www.cbre.com/golfandresort

golfandresortproperties/

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28 Golf Inc. July/August 2024