Even Mother Nature pours it on the golf economy

    Golf can be a reasonably inexpensive refuge from the ills of the economy, a pleasant distraction from continuing bad news.  But according to a recent study, total rounds of golf played in the U.S. in the 4th quarter of 2008 were down 6% from the previous year.  
      Where weather was favorable, in key golfing regions like Florida, Southern California and Phoenix, rounds were up as much as 10%, according to the research firm Pellucid.  Where weather was bad, in Texas and the Ohio Valley, rounds were down enough to tilt the scales toward the negative.  Travel golf also had its effect.
    "...destination markets are taking significant rounds hits that aren't related to weather," Pellucid President Jim Koppenhaver, indicating reductions of 9% and 14% respectively in Las Vegas and Hilton Head."
    You can read a full article about the research at WorldGolf.com.