New DVC Resorts and Golf Course Rumor

[Dell]

Take this for what it is worth (maybe it should be posted on a Rumor Board) but I was playing golf at Disneys Magnolia Golf Course this past Sat. and was discussing with one of the CM's about the re-intrest in the Eagle Pines DVC resort at Bonnet Creek. His coments on the issue were as follows; (short version)

1.) Eagle Pines DVC is on, BUT, the golf course is going away.

2.) Osprey Ridge will be torn up, possibly rebuilt/redesigned or shortened.

3.) The Palm Course will be gone (Military expansion?? at SOG)

This will all be done by 2010/2011 based on DVC resort building plans. He seems to think (and I may unfortunatly agree) that Disney can make tons of more money on DVC rooms/resorts than they can on golf. Best case scenario would be disney having 3 courses left, Magnolia, Oak Trail (9 hole) and Lake Buena Vista. Eventually (asap) Disney will be out of the Golf business and turn the remaining courses (or whatever is left) to an outside contractor to run. Maybe they could really run it better/cheaper but in most cases this results in a little more Disney magic being sold off for cash.

Sad if this is true since the main reason I enjoy the world is the golfing.

Like I said, this was a knowledgable golf CM at the Magnolia Pro shop and I can't back it up with sound facts yet, but it sounded just too true.

 

[rinkwide]

...this was a knowledgable golf CM at the Magnolia Pro shop...

You weren't talking with this guy, were you?

 

[Cruelladeville]

 

[disney-super-mom]

You weren't talking with this guy, were you?

Alright, THIS actually brought tears to my eyes!

 

[1000th happy haunt]

Do you think it may have anything to do with this?

Four Seasons to Anchor New Disney Luxury Resort

 

[MikeBW]

I don't think the heavy stuff will start for a while - I'd keep playin'.

 

[bmalonef45]

This would be a terrible thing for us golfers. I find it hard to believe but I did hear that the EP DVC was on in Jan. from a starter at OR. With the news of 4 Seasons I'm not sure how to take all of this info. I did think that we would lose one of the courses EP and OR probably combining them into one really nice championship type course at the 4 Seasons. Hopefully Disney guest would still have privelages at this course. This would take 18 away leaving 81 holes. Now if the Palm goes away that would be really surprising. Unless they use the new course at the 4 seasons to help host the PGA event I think they would probably lose that event. And all the money they make off of that.

Its all rumors now but lets keep some hope for the golfers that this isn't true.

 

[Dell]

FYI

Sounds like the Western Way project will be at the new entrance to Disney off Western Way/Hartzog Rd. area. May??? not impact Palm.

 

[Simba's Mom]

DH has already reserved his tee time at EP next month. Sounds like he'd better be prepared to ask lots of questions so I can see what they say about the rumors. I know he'd be so disappointed if Disney loses EP golf course.

 

[tjkraz]

I have a question for the golfers. What sort of rep does Disney have in terms of running the courses? Are the Disney courses well-regarded by golfers or are they just viewed as overpriced adult entertainment at that place with the mouse?

I can't see Disney actually selling the courses outright, but it seems like there could be some advantage to farming-out operations (at least if you follow the way Disney appears to be thinking these days.) In the vein of attaching the Four Seasons name to WDW, would a partnership with someone like Robert Trent Jones raise peoples' opinions of the Disney courses?

 

[bmalonef45]

When we were there they were run well. The customer service from the CM's was awesome. They were friendly and made you feel like you were more than just a normal player on a public course. Kind of like a member at a country club. I'm sure it ins't the most profitable use of the land but one of the reasons I bought into DVC was because of the golf. I wll be extremely sad if it actually starts to go away. I can't imagine it will but who knows.

 

[Gwydion]

You weren't talking with this guy, were you?

Absolutely the funniest thing I've seen today!

 

[Simba's Mom]

I have a question for the golfers. What sort of rep does Disney have in terms of running the courses? Are the Disney courses well-regarded by golfers or are they just viewed as overpriced adult entertainment at that place with the mouse?

I can't see Disney actually selling the courses outright, but it seems like there could be some advantage to farming-out operations (at least if you follow the way Disney appears to be thinking these days.) In the vein of attaching the Four Seasons name to WDW, would a partnership with someone like Robert Trent Jones raise peoples' opinions of the Disney courses?

DH has golfed at lots of different places, and at WDW, he's always been favorably impressed with the friendliness, condition of the course (except when playing near overseeding times, not normal), etc. He's told me of many little instances-like being on Magnolia, wanting a type of sandwich like he'd seen the cart person at Palm selling, so immediately the lady called on her walkie-talkie, then drove over to get it for him. And so often when he hits range balls, because of a 55 yo back, he gets to the course extra early to warm up. The pro shop always made sure he had a few extra range balls. He had lots more little instances like this.

 

[ADP]

Maybe I'm being Nieve, but I just don't see the Palm and Magnolia courses going away since they host a PGA event every year in the Fall. Although, I guess they could play the tournament on one course vs. two courses.

 

[goofy4dvc]

Disney courses are well maintained and CMs are great. DH's favorite courses are Eagle Pines and Osprey Ridge. With our DVC discount, the courses were a good deal.

It was only because of EP and OR that I was able to talk DH into purchasing two add-ons. Now, he's talking about selling them and going somewhere else. I'm really bummed about the news.

About half of our trips to WDW are golf vacations and we don't even go to the parks. The other half, I go to the parks (by myself or with our guests) and DH golfs during the day and joins us in the parks at night.

So this news really impacts us and the way we use DVC.

 

[sratay]

Disney golf has always been excellent. Osprey ranks as one of my favorite courses to play in the country and the others are fine too, always well kept and great service from the CM. I'm with a few others in the fact that I joined the DVC because of the excellent golf available at WDW. It will be interesting to see how this turns out after all the smoky rumors clear away.
Steve in Iowa

 

[drusba]

From above: "Unless they use the new course at the 4 seasons to help host the PGA event I think they would probably lose that event."

You may not have been aware but right now this may be the last year for the Fall pro tournament at Disney (Nov 1-4 this year). It is not a result of any Disney decision to do away with courses. The PGA went to its new playoff system this year where the top pros will be competing after the PGA Championship in four events ending with the Tour Championship in mid-September with the player with the most points from the events getting $10 million. Though they will have tournaments after mid-September, those will likely have mostly pros that are not in the top group and many will be those trying to save their cards. The Disney tournament ended up in that "not ready for prime time players" group, with the result that Funai withdrew its sponsorship and no new sponsor has been found. Disney is the sponsor this year and if it cannot find a partner for it (which is looking unlikely because who wants to sponsor the low level tournaments), the tournament will likely be gone after this year.

 

[bmalonef45]

From above: "Unless they use the new course at the 4 seasons to help host the PGA event I think they would probably lose that event."

You may not have been aware but right now this may be the last year for the Fall pro tournament at Disney (Nov 1-4 this year). It is not a result of any Disney decision to do away with courses. The PGA went to its new playoff system this year where the top pros will be competing after the PGA Championship in four events ending with the Tour Championship in mid-September with the player with the most points from the events getting $10 million. Though they will have tournaments after mid-September, those will likely have mostly pros that are not in the top group and many will be those trying to save their cards. The Disney tournament ended up in that "not ready for prime time players" group, with the result that Funai withdrew its sponsorship and no new sponsor has been found. Disney is the sponsor this year and if it cannot find a partner for it (which is looking unlikely because who wants to sponsor the low level tournaments), the tournament will likely be gone after this year.

That is interesting and makes sense. I still hope all these rumors are not true and or they can find a different time to hold a tourney at WDW. I know from interviews I've heard that the pros enjoy this stop as a chance to bring their families and friends along and enjoy the parks.

 

[ADP]

That is interesting and makes sense. I still hope all these rumors are not true and or they can find a different time to hold a tourney at WDW. I know from interviews I've heard that the pros enjoy this stop as a chance to bring their families and friends along and enjoy the parks.

I think that when Tiger Woods opted out of the tournament last year (even with having a contract with ESPN) that opened a lot of peoples' eyes about the status of the Funai event.

 

[BCV23]

I hope this rumor is wrong. My guys love those two courses.