Davey Tree Flipbooks

18 The Davey Bulletin | May/June 2017 FOR DAVEY GOLF GROWTH, COLLABORATION IS KEY Davey Golf operations has experienced exceptional growth since 2015, in both maintenance and full course management contracts, thanks to the power of Davey service lines uniting for a common good. Ben Cavey, operations manager, Davey Golf, credits the breadth of Davey's capabilities, from grounds keeping, to tree care, wetlands restoration and marketing, with helping to grow golf services. In July 2016, Cavey and his team assumed managment of a 54-hole, 70,000-acre property in Kenton County, Kentucky, home to three golf courses: Fox Run, The Pioneer and The Willows. "This one opportunity has grown from taking over the golf courses to having Davey's Residential/Commercial services complete grounds maintenance and tree care, Davey Resource Group addressing wetland issues, to Davey Golf's business and marketing teams running operations and programs – all in seven months," Cavey said. Most private entities interested in taking over management of golf courses from municipalities have simple long-term planning goals, like a club house remodel. They can't come close to the scope of a complete renovation the likes of what Davey can offer, Cavey said. Through collaboration, Davey Golf has transformed the Kenton courses into a showcase highlighting how Davey is a one-stop-shop for golf course maintenance and management. "We do everything there," Cavey said. "We mow the grounds, collect the course fees, run programs, staff the club house and create marketing efforts," Cavey said. The only aspect they outsource is food and beverage operations. A SIMILAR SUCCESS STORY Similar to but before the Kenton County courses, Marty Young, golf operations director, Davey Golf, secured a full-course management contract close to Davey's home roots in Ohio. In the spring of 2016, Hawthorne Valley Golf Club in Solon, Ohio, was about to close permanently. Young saw it as a perfect growth opportunity for Davey. "Being that it's in Northeast Ohio, it seemed like a natural fit," Young said. "The golf business is changing and it's challenging. Owners are looking for a different solution, so outsourcing management is a growing trend throughout the industry." Once again, unlike other companies, Young had the power of all Davey's service lines to help him conquer this new venture. "It's an older golf course with lots of mature trees," Young said. This immediately created an opportunity for collaboration between Young and the East Cleveland R/C office to inspect the 18-hole, 150-acre property's trees. "It's a growing process trying to find the right opportunities," Young said. "It's about getting all the other service lines involved, like Kenton County has. It's more than just golf." AN EVOLVING SERVICE Davey Golf's client solutions didn't always include full course management. In 2000, when the golf division was established, Davey merely offered MY DAVEY Davey Golf manages several high-end golf courses in Michigan, including Paint Creek Country Club in Lake Orion, Michigan.

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