Scott Justman is the PGA Director of Golf Operations at The Landings Club, in Savannah, Georgia.

Scott Justman on the importance of creating new and memorable experiences for your members:

The Landings Club is comprised of six championship golf courses and four practice ranges. The courses were designed by such legends as Arnold Palmer, Tom Fazio, Arthur Hills, and Willard Byrd – each is unique and exciting. With rotated course usage this spring, combined and consolidated golf operations staff, and enhanced health and wellness measures implemented, we wanted to do something special for our members to create an experience that they would enjoy now and remember for years to come. The “Lone Pine Nine” is a temporary par-3 course we built on the driving range of our Deer Creek Course. We had considered undertaking such an endeavor over the years, but there was no time like the present when COVID hit, reducing services and basically throwing a wrench into the Spring of 2020. Carved out of the floor of our Deer Creek practice range, the Lone Pine Nine par-3 course offered holes ranging from 40-90 yards, an enjoyable amenity for our members and a playable alternative for our juniors, families, and members who had just a brief amount of time to spend at the club. Collaborating with Deer Creek head professional, Spencer Scheeler, we created a fun attraction that would help members take their minds off the crisis of the day. The name was a testament to the single tall Georgia pine that sits on the Deer Creek range. When it was time to reopen the Deer Creek Course and its practice range, we didn’t say goodbye to the Lone Pine Nine, just “so long for now”. Our maintenance team continues to maintain the temporary greens and we plan on reviving the unique par-3 layout for special member events and occasions, such as two glow golf events being held in late August. The theme is Bourbon, Beer, and Bacon with tastings in each event, and they’re both sold out!

Scott Justman on the business impact of creating new and memorable experiences for your members:

As PGA Professionals, it is incumbent upon us to provide an exceptional golf experience to our private club members, public course golfers, students, and dedicated patrons of the game. We didn’t stop with the par-3 course – we built some tables and helped instill a bit of normalcy in the lives of our members. Ensuring social distancing and proper sanitizing measures, we made the Lone Pine Nine a place where they could grab two wedges, a putter, and a beer, and enjoy the camaraderie that so many of us are missing at this time. One member took me to the side early on and told me how her husband enjoyed the par-3 layout after not playing golf in three years – they had considered foregoing their membership at The Landings Club, and have since reconsidered after the wonderful experience they’ve had. We are a social club for sure, offering Nine and Dines and other special events – this time has made those efforts more difficult, but great ideas like the Lone Pine Nine have helped make the best out of 2020. Rounds are up on our courses, Lone Pine Nine merchandise flew off the shelves, and members remain happy and committed to their club. We’re glad to reciprocate.

If you would like to email the author of this Best Practice directly, please email scott.justman@landingsclub.com