Park Golf Course a Success Story, not Duffer's Tale

By Charles Phillips       

When Wayne Kauppi's company Global Golf Management took over the operation of the Golden Gate Park Golf Course (GGPGC) in March of 2001, the place had fallen upon hard times.

Years of neglect had left both the course and clubhouse in rough condition and business was slow. During the preceding year, about 48,000 rounds of golf were played, food service was almost non-existent and equipment sales limped badly. Nevertheless, Kauppi and the tight-knit group he gathered around him have transformed the Golden Gate Park Golf Course (a par 3 course on the western edge of the City) into an oasis for golfers of all ages, sizes and abilities.        

When Kauppi and his partner Bruce Olsen took on the job, they knew the place needed a lot of work. Mostly it lacked players and revenue to cover the cost of badly-needed improvements. They decided that the way to get more revenue was to develop a solid customer base by bringing in more golfers. This meant instruction and a specific area for teaching and practice. During their first year of operation (while operating on a month-to-month lease), and at their own expense, they erected a nine stall, net-enclosed driving range - just the place to offer individual and group instruction.

At the same time, they revamped the clubhouse, offering golf club rentals with a variety of equipment and golf merchandise for sale. Food service was re-vitalized with hot dogs, coffee, cookies and cold beverages again being made available.

The next steps were to assemble a staff of qualified instructors and to schedule and vigorously market adult and junior programs. What followed were tournaments, camps, newsletters, leagues, barbeques and orientations.                                               

But a major key to the turnaround was the well-qualified staff that was assembled. These are the folks that made it happen:

• Wayne Kauppi - Partner and director of golf. An engineering graduate of Cal Poly, he has been actively involved in the recreation business for 15 years (sailing, sports publication and of course golf);                      

• Bruce Olsen - Partner and director of instruction. Besides California, he has experience in Texas and Minnesota as an instructor and club pro. Olsen is a Professional Golf Association (PGA) pro and a certified member of the Golf Course Superintendents Association;

• Steve Porter - From a golfing family, Steve is a PGA pro, as is his father. He grew up working and teaching at clubs in the northwest and southwest. The experience he gained and the success he had with both adults and juniors at GGPGC helped him become the head pro at the Metropolitan Golf Club in Oakland last October;

• Keith Lent - A native San Franciscan and a municipal golfer for 32 years, Lent is in charge of junior programs. He knows his way around the city's golfing scene. His business experience (sales service and marketing) is an extra that he brings to the park golf course. He hopes to join the PGA ranks in the future;                

• Larry Monroe - Monroe is behind the counter at the pro shop. He has worked at all city courses at one time or another because he has a welcoming manner and pleasant tenor voice. He often joins his cronies ("the syndicate") for a round of golf after his shift; 

• Joe Faulkner - While Joe is not on the staff of Global Golf Management, he is a vital member of the team. As a city gardener, he functions as the greenskeeper for the course and has made a huge contribution to the venture. A player of some note himself, he has special insight into what golfers look for on the course.                              

By the summer of 2004 it looked like the gamble of money, time, planning and sweat was beginning to pay off. During that summer, about 400 juniors had attended golf camps and more than 300 adults had taken part in beginner golf programs. All of the instructional activities were set up and supervised by PGA professionals and adhered to PGA standards.

The food service program was beginning to flourish, with kids sitting under umbrellas eating hot dogs, hamburgers and pizza while downing soft drinks.

Additionally, adults were enjoying the Nine and Dine Program, a nine hole scramble tournament followed by a gourmet cookout. Families were taking part in monthly golfing get-togethers for moms, dads, aunts and uncles and others on holidays and weekends.                         

In September, 2004 Global Golf signed a seven-year agreement with the SF Recreation and Park Department and is now working on strengthening existing programs while planning to introduce new ones. By the end of 2004, the annual rounds of golf are expected to exceed 58,000, a healthy increase considering that golfing is down 8 percent nationally.

When Kauppi was asked if he was looking for other golf courses to operate he said, "We've got a lot to do here, we've only scratched the surface." He can already smell the fresh baked pastries and barbecued ribs that will be added to the menu. And, as a dedicated do-it-yourselfer, he is itching to start construction on a brick paved terrace to accommodate more tables, umbrellas and people.                                 

Olsen, on the other hand, is researching a plan to upgrade the practice facilities and is organizing some golf-associated outings while Lent is introducing kindergartners to the joys of golf and searching for pint-sized golf shoes to go with the five sizes of junior clubs already in stock. Meanwhile, Faulkner is sitting on his mower dreaming of lushly-turfed tee boxes and planning his war on deadly fungus, the constant challenge for all greenskeepers.                                                                                                                                                            

The words Global Golf Management may have a grandiose ring, but the result of the group's work has brought tangible benefits to youth and the community at large.