Branson Golf and Johnny Morris

[NotJLB]

I have not read past the first post as I recognize the normal suspects.

Yes, Bass Pro Johnny Morris now owns Murder Rock, and with a little common sense will make some common sense out of the Branson Creek/Murder Rock (golf courses) folly. I was just involved in a serious discussion about it today.

As to whether the Branson Creek staff would be let go, that is yet to be seen, as it is yet to be seen whether Mr. Morris winds up with Branson Creek, but it would be a mistake to let the Branson Creek staff go, as the many successful years, even operating without a clubhouse or cart barn, speaks for their abilties.

It's strange how things work out, how one of Golfweek's Top 5 courses in Missouri would be shut down. I think it means that times are still tough, and that appearances can be deceiving, so that even when things look like they are doing good, they may not be. Maybe good, but not good enough.

[ggh]

The 'destination' golf location that everyone has screamed would be so beneficial to Branson, but that the individual golf courses would not agree upon because they were owned by various entities could come to fruition with the golf courses owned by one individual... yet instead of being happy about the possibility, people gripe.

[MNtraveler]

Originally Posted by ggh

The 'destination' golf location that everyone has screamed would be so beneficial to Branson, but that the individual golf courses would not agree upon because they were owned by various entities could come to fruition with the golf courses owned by one individual... yet instead of being happy about the possibility, people gripe.

Conservatives couldn't POSSIBLY have wealth envy... could they??

[NotJLB]

Originally Posted by ggh

The 'destination' golf location that everyone has screamed would be so beneficial to Branson, but that the individual golf courses would not agree upon because they were owned by various entities could come to fruition with the golf courses owned by one individual... yet instead of being happy about the possibility, people gripe.

If you use the Search feature, I believe the Everyone you refer to would be me.

If they were all owned by one entity, there would be no competition, and you would see golf courses being eliminated (stay tuned for that shortly).

There are courses that will never be owned by that one entity, that have the most lodging to offer, and would never allow an outside owner as they are POA-owned and doing well.

The chances of one of them co-oping with the others is slim and none. Assuming MR is toast, or will become part of BC, there are three courses that are must-do's for a realistic Branson play-them-all package, and it is one of those three, and the one with the most lodging.

Heck, the lodging at that place can't even co-op!

The only way that the one entity could become involved with that one key course is as developer, and the owners there have already been burnt by two developers, so they would be very reluctant. I've heard that course is also the main beneficiary of MR closing, as if they needed more events!!!

It would take an act of God, not of ownership, to pull them all together.

All, or most, being owned by one entity would be cause for complaints. Different owners working together would be cause for celebration.

A more realistic answer is that Mr. Morris has bought (is buying) himself a Big Cedar Golf Destination, with no thought of co-oping with anyone else. I will bet it being an Executive Course (TOTR) and a 27 or 36-hole Championship course. This is the natural progression, as I have talked about things needing to be devalued to the point that new money finds them attractive in order for the Branson area to get on the recovery wagon, as other areas already have.

One of the plans for Branson Creek was that it would be an on-site, fly-in golf destination, with John Q. Hammons providing the hotel. Is this not nearly that same plan?

The owners of another of the Top Three, PSGC, are already in business with Mr. Morris, so some sort of alliance with them is not unlikley. It is already aligned with BC with a Dual Play package through the management company.

So, the more realistic answer would be that the tough times we all having been talking about for six years took it's toll, and the person flush with $$$ made his move.

So far, two owner/developers have poured money into the biggest Money Pit in the Branson area, Branson Creek. (There are so many, it should be an honor to be the biggest!) I would think Mr. Morris would have the good judgement to not chase good money after bad. So, most likely he just wants the golf.

In the short term, other courses are/will be benefitting from the closure of MR.

FWIW, it's really tough to make money with a golf course, especially if there is debt load involved.

[ggh]

Most golfers who come to Branson recognize that it would be helpful/beneficial to Branson if they could buy a package vs. deal with individual courses. Often they didn't realize all the options available when they flew in, and find out about some of the courses available only after getting to Branson. Dh has been paired up with lots of golfers over the past few years who have ask him if there are packages available, or how to get a deal, folks who have flown in for conferences or other purposes, who would have liked to make it a destination with their friends.

Why the courses didn't cooperate with one another and offer a package is beyond me - it may not be the only reason they are selling out to JM, but a part of it. Can't blame JM for being smart enough to know when to step in, and if he owns the courses, it only makes sense that he should decide which ones stay open, which ones close, and he can determine if he wants to make Branson a golf destination, and line his pockets with a few more $$$ in the process.

It stinks for the courses, the employees and the golfers who may be left behind, but reality is that everything we do has consequences, if the courses had worked together sooner, maybe it wouldn't be this way... we will never know.

[NotJLB]

Guess you've never been part of a POA community that is very proud of itself, and seeks no help/cooperation from others.

[ggh]

Originally Posted by NotJLB

Guess you've never been part of a POA community that is very proud of itself, and seeks no help/cooperation from others.

How's that working out for ya now?

[Writingfool]

"despite what the Chamber(s) and local Politicians would have us believe, Branson is not doing all that well."

That was the only reference to politics in my original post... I edited the AB part out, and that's all...

The point I was trying to make before the Obama and the TEa PArty were invoked was the fact a businessman with a successful track record is buying up properties...

It is reminding me of Vegas... Individuals or small groups of individuals, and the mafia, all owned the casinos until they grew too large for them to handle and were corrupted by greed and mediocrity and nearly ran into the ground... That's when the larger corporations came in, bought up a lot of property, remodeled, renovated and gave Vegas a new image...

It's starting to happen here... Just because someone's father, grandfather or great grandfather was a business owner and a performer doesn't mean they are in any way, shape or form qualified to do either... Everyone wants to keep it business as usual, and that mentality has gotten us to where we are today...

I'd much rather have Morris here than the majority of any other corporation or business magnate simply because he has a proven track record in this area and sees what needs to be done to keep it alive...

The new era is arriving, and the crossroads are in sight...

If you want to continue to walk with the blind sheep then go ahead... My eyes are wide open...

[MNtraveler]

That is what it will take to ensure Branson's long-term survival as a tourist destination. Central Florida was filled with small "mom and pop" attractions... and dieing as a tourist destination... until the big corporations moved in.

[swinslow]

Originally Posted by rjw1991A1

As long as It greatly benefits him!
Such a great civic minded person that he never bothered to re-open the dock at the landing because It wasn't turning enough profit for him.

Sounds like a press release direct from BPS headquarters.

Isn't this what being a business is about? Profit?

Never understood the anti-Johnny Morris crowd. Always upset because of the money he generates. Jealous much?

[NotJLB]

Originally Posted by ggh

How's that working out for ya now?

Curious . . . why do you relate me to POA/COA communities?

Because I talk about them, and what they are like?

That would be illogical logic.

[NotJLB]

Originally Posted by swinslow

Isn't this what being a business is about? Profit?

Never understood the anti-Johnny Morris crowd. Always upset because of the money he generates. Jealous much?

Yeah, jealous came to mind.

Have you noticed how successful people don't waste their time pecking away on meaningless Internet forums, craving attention and something to be a part of?

They may create gossip, but they don't themselves.

[JoseyWales2]

Morris has the money and bought it for market value I would guess. Who cares what he does with it. It belongs to him.

[MNtraveler]

I may be the resident "lib" around here (although I don't think I'm REALLY all that liberal) but I have no problem with people accumulating wealth. Whether it is through hard work or wise decisions (or both), I think it is appropriate that they are rewarded for it. I do have a problem with CEO's who have been removed for their incompetence being rewarded with multi-million dollar "golden parachutes". Somehow being rewarded for failure just seems wrong.

[NotJLB]

I guess I missed the exit, the one this thread took.