A Hole-in-one and a Duffed approach

**Dave S** · 18-Aug-11, 07:29 AM

I don't know how many of the esteemed members are Golfers or hold office on a Golf committee or Club finance committee?

As I am a Workshop Manager (24yrs now) for an upmarket Country Club I would like to touch base on an equipment level (machinery, etc.) and perhaps start up a blog on the topic?

I have witnessed the demise of a few clubs from an equipment perspective and have seen many clubs building a "scrapyard" of old equipment. I fully understand where this comes from, the fact that equipment is a "Grudge purchase", it constantly depreciates, costs major capital in maintenance and repairs, and then dies. Because the age is extended it can no longer be traded against newer equipment, and the scrapyard begins to grow.

Hopefully this post has whet an appetite or two? Would anyone like to get into a discussion over this and related topics?

**AndyD** · 18-Aug-11, 10:59 AM

I think older people have had problems adjusting their mindset to the disposable society we now live in. A few decades ago machinery cost a fortune but it was over engineered and designed to last a lifetime. It was designed to be functional, models that worked well were rarely updated and parts used to be available for machines that were thirty years old.

Nowadays, as with most things machines are designed around a 5 year lifespan (if you're lucky) by which time spares are not available and three newer and more fashionable models have been released. People used to the old days don't like throwing things away, hence the little scrapyards springing up in the most unlikely places. I know several people who have a 486 or 386 computer still sitting on a shelf in their garage and they will hell throw it away.

**Dave S** · 18-Aug-11, 12:12 PM

Yep, I follow you Andy.

The big problems is those newer models to which you refer don't cost a few pennies anymore, it's now half a Million just to get one mower to mow a fairway, most 18-hole golf courses would need two or three of these units. The units still only have 5-yr lifespans (if you're lucky) and they cost upwards of 18% of their purchase price in maintenance, so clubs don't want to throw them away or buy new ones, which only serves to increase the problem when they finally have no choice but to get new ones, but then what do they do with the old ones? they are virtually valueless after 8-10 years or so.

**Justloadit** · 18-Aug-11, 12:21 PM

It depends on the sale value of the scrap to make the refurbishment a viable proposition. One would also need a well complimented workshop to refurbish these machines, as many parts would have to be made from scratch. It could be a profitable business if planned correctly.

**wynn** · 18-Aug-11, 04:29 PM

I see a business opportunity! get the machinery necessary and contract to the golf courses for 50% of what it will cost them, you can do 5 golf courses in a week with your plant, what do the sums say?