MANAGING A HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL MUNICIPAL GOLF COURSE SINCE 2003

ABOUT COBBLESTONE

Cobb County, located in a suburb of Atlanta, owns Cobblestone, a magnificent course designed by Finger, Dye, and Spann. It is situated in an environmentally sensitive area adjacent to a Federal conservation easement, with 12 holes playing along Lake Allatoona, spectacular green complexes, bunkering, and design elements more akin to a private club than a municipal golf course.

THE BOBBY JONES LINKS DIFFERENCE

In 2003, Bobby Jones Links was selected from ten RFP respondents to manage Cobblestone for Cobb County and now enjoys a third renewal through 2034. The results since then have been substantial:

• Unlike most municipal golf courses, Cobblestone Golf Course is highly profitable today. Net operating income has quadrupled under Bobby Jones Links’ stewardship.
• Total annual rounds have grown from 41,000 to 60,000 per year, making it one of the top 5 courses in Georgia in terms of total rounds played annually.
• The course is consistently rated one of the top 50 municipal golf experiences in the United States, hosting USGA, PGA Tour, and GSGA local qualifiers.
• Merchandise sales have grown by 233% when adjusted for inflation.
• When inflation is not factored in, food and beverage sales have increased by 52% per round.

HOW DID WE DO IT?

• Rebranded the club, expanded its social media presence, and developed a new website.
• Recruited and trained a first-class management team.
• New Champion Bermuda grass greens were planted, and bunkers were renovated.
• Expanded the clubhouse, doubling the size of the course’s grille and snack bar, enabling it to host golf outing groups of any size.
• Upgraded the pro shop, doubling sales and winning the Georgia PGA’s Merchandiser of the Year Award in 2020.
• Consistently surveyed the customer for their feedback and suggestions.
• Implemented dynamic pricing to the tee time platform, increasing the per-round yield.
• Used Bobby Jones Links procurement power to save hundreds of thousands of dollars in major equipment purchases.