A change is needed in the way golf is marketed and sold in Bermuda in order to maintain its competitive edge and remain profitable.

Those were the findings of a survey conducted by KPMG, which revealed that almost 90 percent of golf courses in Bermuda and the Caribbean surveyed reported that the recession had a negative impact on their operations.

The accounting firm presented the in-depth findings of its 2009 KPMG Regional Golf Benchmark Survey to industry leaders at a seminar hosted at its Crown House headquarters last week.

Present for the event were representatives from seven of the Island's golf courses, the Department of Tourism, the Bermuda Golf Association, local developers and bankers.

KPMG enterprise director Steve Woodward, who presented the findings, said: "Not unexpectedly, of those courses in Bermuda and across the Caribbean surveyed for the 2009 report 87 percent indicated that the economic downturn had a negative effect on their operations, with 76 percent of golf course operators reporting a decrease in the number of rounds played and 64 percent stating a decrease in revenues as a consequence of the financial crisis.

"Although Bermuda fared well in many areas relative to the Caribbean, recording the highest average number of rounds annually (24,000), as compared to other locations such as Costa Rica, Dominican Republic and Jamaica, overall the results were less than favourable across the board."

Presented in detail, the results prompted considerable discussion as some delegates called for a marked change in the way golf is marketed and sold in Bermuda. All agreed that changes were necessary if the Island was to remain competitive and profitable going forward.

Ideas floated at the session included creating efficiencies around booking systems, freeing up tee times at the more exclusive membership clubs for overseas players and consideration of collective purchasing or other forms of collaboration by golf clubs to reduce operating costs.

"We were very pleased with how the survey was received and KPMG looks forward to facilitating further discussions on the topic; particularly at the board level," said Mr. Woodward

The results for the KPMG Caribbean Golf Benchmark Survey will be presented to a wider audience at the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Investment Conference in San Juan, Puerto Rico, between May 4 and May 7.

A copy of the survey is available from Joanne MacPhee at KPMG on 295-5063 or at www.golfbenchmark.com