All Spring the Kansas City area was bombarded by commercials on TV, radio and print for Stone Canyon Golf Course in Independence, MO designed by Greg “The Shark” Norman. And all these promotions included promoting a $50 preview rate in 2009 before the club went private in 2010! Well, today (6-20-09) Stone Canyon sent out an e-mail saying that as of July 1st that preview was going away Fri-Sun (when anybody can actually take advantage of it)! Pretty crappy of them. First of all, your in Independence – get over yourself. But even if you’re the greatest golf course ever changing this preview rate you promoted heavily for weeks and weeks before you opened on May 15th is crap. I don’t ever remember hearing this was 6 week preview rate….of course I didn’t hear that – that would be pretty weak. Wait…..that’s exactly what it turned out to be. Not a great first impression by the course, pretty crappy quite frankly.
I speculate that they’ve realized there is NO WAY they’ll have enough interest for the course to actually go private in 2010 so they’ll try to increase revenue now as a public course. The thought of this being a private course was a flawed theory all along. It’s Independence, MO – there isn’t the population base with the income levels to support a private golf club. At least I wouldn’t think so. So I don’t expect the course to actually go private next year. But still, promoting a $50 rate all Spring then taking it away after 6 weeks really sucks and could be an indication that this course has horrible ownership/management so I’d be very wary of joining this private course.
I haven’t played it yet – I had absolutely planned to but I’m not sure I will. If for no other reason on principle.
I’d love to hear your thoughts about both the change in the preview rate and if you’ve played the course what you thought.
I find it interesting that they are changing the rate. There was a commercial that aired during the U.S. Open coverage today and I don’t recall them saying anything about a rate change and/or limitations to their offer.
I agree that it is a bad idea to try to create a private course in this economy, especially in Independence. There are upscale areas in that region, but I highly doubt that they can generate enough interest to fill the membership roster.
With courses like Drumm Farm and Winterstone in the area, I feel there are too many choices for a challenging round of golf without breaking the bank.
Sorry for Stone Canyon that they feel their hype warrants the changing of their stated policy. It’s a pathetic means to cash in on a public that cannot afford their membership, but want they possible once in a lifetime opportunity.