Golf pros predict game will only grow in 2013

Raise your hand if you’ve been affected by the four-year economic downturn when it comes to golf: played fewer rounds; bought surplus balls instead of the Pro V1s; played that premium course a little less often or even shopped the Web for low prices. Join the club.

So for this monthly installment, I thought a look ahead at the world of golf in Las Vegas for 2013 would be appropriate. But first things first:

We all know bad things come in threes. We narrowly missed two: The world did not end in December as some thought the Mayans predicted, and we had one foot dangling in thin air with the fiscal cliff. What’s next? A zombie uprising?

"Not likely going to happen in 2013," says Mike Monko, owner of the Zombie Apocalypse Store, 3420 Spring Mountain Road. "As for golf, courses will have a good year. Also, there will be a demand for old clubs being modified to be used as weapons against zombies."

Well, I’ll certainly rest easier with that hurdle removed.

Here’s what the experts have to say:

Joe Kelly, director of golf operations for Sun City Summerlin’s three courses, sees the economy continuing to play a major role in 2013. "There’s no major influx of tourists like five years ago. We need to maintain rounds, get the price of rounds back up, not get into a war of pricing, and keep the condition of the course in the best shape."

Andrew Valainis, general manager/head professional at Durango Hills Golf Club, agrees that the economy and the housing market will be big factors in 2013.

"The last four months of 2012 looked better; it couldn’t have gotten much worse," he said. "Specials will be a big part of what we do in 2013."

Dennis Piekarski, director of sales and marketing for the Revere Golf Club in Henderson, sees 2013 as a good opportunity. "We’ve seen an uptick in tourist play. We’ve got to present a great golf experience for both tourists and locals for the rates that we charge. Great service, great conditions and added value will be a key this year."

John Herndon, director of operations at SouthShore Golf Club at Lake Las Vegas, has a more varied task. SouthShore is a private club, and membership is key.

"We had a challenging time in 2012," he said. "We now see a rebound in business and are gaining numbers. I see the daily-use courses coming back a little faster than us. It’s Econ 101; there’s a lot of uncertainty but a lot of opportunity as well. It will take a little while, but the outlook is positive."