“We’ll recommend another 80 rooms to the next owners.”

Sad to say I didn't catch a minute of the McGladrey Classic Sunday but I did enjoy the shower-inducing Q&A Matty G has posted with point-misser extraordinaire Bill Jones III, the dude who ran Sea Island into bankruptcy in pursuit of five-star status.

When I asked if he felt like President Obama, he said, “I feel more like President Bush--at least the media still supports Obama.”

When I asked him who was responsible for the fall of Sea Island, he said, “I’m the chairman and CEO; I take responsibility. When I took over, I had two options, to sell or to make it better. My goal was always to be the finest resort community in the world. Yes, you can always improve, and I made my share of mistakes, but I’m proud of what we’ve been able to build.”

At one point, before the renovations, the Cloister had dipped to a three-star rating. Both the Cloister and the Lodge have since earned five stars.

When I asked if 140 total rooms at the Cloister and the Lodge were enough to have a profitable resort-business model, Jones said, “We’ll recommend another 80 rooms to the next owners.”

And I'm sure they'll thank you for the advice as they show you the door.

The auction is today!

Comments

[Ky Laffoon's Ghost]

Dick Fuld is probably still wondering what happened to "his" company, too? Where it all went? But, hey, Bill III got his five stars back. So he has that going for him. Jeebus.

[Jilly]

McGladrey. I thank the PGA Tour for making me aware of companies I'd never heard of.

[Del the Funk]

"Point-misser extraordinaire"....what a great characterization! Geoff, you nailed it.

Ky did you attend the tourney? How were the crowds?

[Ky Laffoon's Ghost]

@Del: No, but I would have if work had not intruded. LOL. I have talked to several friends though. Attendance was supposed to be limited to 7500 and it didn't look to them that they came close to that number. It is college football season in Georgia; people have other things to do, like stay on the warpath about current UGA football fortunes (2-4).

[Stars over Mad Ave]

The bodacious spread at the 21 Club (huh?) would have been a not-too-subtle hint of impending doom to anyone paying the least attention.

[Del the Funk]

Ky, I watched the highlights on Golf Central. When Heath Slocum made what turned out to be the winning putt on the 16th hole there were exactly 2 fans, and 1 marshall, visible on the tape. Several shots of the leaders revealed no fans at all in the background. If the private party model is what the sponsor and the tour have in mind it looks like they've met their goal!

[jb]

The finest (bankrupt) resort in the world or at least along the Georgia coast but when you bulldoze a Colt-Allison golf course, as Bill Jones and the developers did, it makes me wonder what kind of crystal, china and silver this fine resort has. I have a lot of good memories at Sea Island but now all old memories, and it will be some time - with many good reports from those who have been there - before I go there again.

And in watching a few minutes of the tournament I'd agree with Del the Funk and say there were no more than a few hundred fans there, maybe not even 1000.

jb

[RM]

I was there. Certainly small galleries, but probably not as bad as it looked on TV. Most holes could only be viewed from one side because of the way it was roped off and all of the marsh areas. There were people on 16 green when Heath made the putt, but only on the right side between 16 green and 17 tee. There would be no reason to view from the other side which is probably the angle TV showed. I heard the roar from 17 green when he made it, so there were people there. 17 green had a good gallery as well as 18 Davis Love III had a big gallery every round!

[pdq]

Was there for final. Estimate 5000 attendance. Other than lite turn out due to reasons aforementioned, the event was on par with most PGA events relative to course , venue, organization, etc. This event will be huge in years 2 & 3. The hospitality by the local volunteers is priceless. Well done.

[Del the Funk]

pdq, I've also heard the event was extremely well run and popular with players and fans alike. But I'd be willing to bet that there were not 5000 people there on Sunday (or any day) and even if we gave them credit for that number to do so you'd have to include all the volunteers, players, tourney staff, clubhouse staff, and all the fishermen within 5 miles of the place!! I bet they didn't top 15,000 people for the entire week -- that's just pitiful.

If this event goes past McGladrey's 3 year commitment I will be very surprised.

[pdq]

DTF,
Well, using the following as one estimate. The airport parking which was general admission only + staff, was a ton of cars.... Like 40 rows x 40 cars = 1600 cars x 2.5 people on avg. = 400 . Plus add in VIPs bused in or dropped off at the club. That was 500+. Then you had a lot of folks that walked or rode their bikes. Btw...volunteers, they were spectators too. So up to 5000 is a believable number. The course is not a stadium course so it was hard too see large groups of spectators other than at the 9/18th grand stands and hospitality areas and then the intersection of 16/17/18.

It was really nice to see all of the TV screens through out the course. Great media job.

Would be good to see more top 50 ranked pros next year. They will come as the word gets out.

One amazing aspect was the security which was what u might expect but the people were just so nice. There was no whiff of arrogance by any of the staff or vendors.

For 4 hours of viewing great golf talent and fun, the $30/day price was right too!

I bet the sponsors are happy with the inaugural outcome! I've been to other tournaments and one felt crowded rushed hassled and couldn't get close to the tees and greens and then paid 3 times the price for admission, souvenirs and food/drink.

Let's not be too crazy with expectations.