The Secret to Public Golf Course Funding? Listening to Your Golfers

When we interviewed Mickey Barker, golf administrator of MemphisParks, his passion for golf and dedication to improving public courses were undeniable. Having played since childhood and later spending 13 years managing The Links at Galloway, he now oversees all seven municipal golf courses in Memphis. Under his leadership, the city’s courses have earned recognition, including 1st Prize for Standard/Value Course in Food & Beverage—an achievement that even he found surprising. 

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But one of Barker’s biggest successes came not in the form of awards, but in securing a substantial amount of public funding for much-needed course renovations. The key to unlocking that investment? Players 1st. 

Turning Customer Feedback into Actionable Data 

For years, Mickey and his team had relied on simple, in-house surveys to gather golfer feedback. While these basic questionnaires provided some insight, they lacked the depth, benchmarking, and credibility needed to advocate for larger improvements. 

“We would send out crude surveys via email, but they weren’t detailed or professional,” Mickey recalls. “It was hard to make a real case for funding when all we had was scattered feedback.” 

That all changed when Players 1st was introduced. With its comprehensive feedback system and national benchmarking tools, Memphis Parks was suddenly able to track golfer satisfaction, compare their performance against other courses, and present clear, data-backed insights to city officials. 

“The biggest benefit is the benchmarking,” Mickey explains. “It shows how we stack up against other courses across the country, and that’s invaluable when you’re fighting for funding.” 

With this concrete, verifiable data, Mickey could confidently approach the city council, demonstrating not only where Memphis’s golf courses were excelling but also where investments were most needed. 

Winning the Fight for Funding 

Municipal golf courses operate within a larger city budget, which means funding isn’t guaranteed. Every request must be justified, and with so many departments competing for resources, golf often takes a backseat. 

But Players 1st gave Mickey the tools to change that narrative. He was able to present real golfer feedback, showing that the community valued these courses and that targeted investments could lead to tangible improvements. 

“When City Council sees positive feedback from the community, it reinforces the value of investing in golf,” Mickey explains. “It’s not just us saying we need improvements—the data proves it.” 

As a result, Memphis Parks secured a significant investment for course renovations, allowing for much-needed updates and ensuring that the city’s public golf courses remain competitive, well-maintained, and accessible to all. 

The insights gained from Players 1st have helped strengthen the community’s connection to their local courses. By actively listening to golfers and making improvements based on their feedback, Memphis Parks has built a loyal and engaged player base.

Advice for Other Clubs 

“You can spend thousands on marketing, but if your customers aren’t happy, it won’t work,” Mickey says. “The best marketing is word of mouth, and Players 1st helps us understand what golfers want—so they keep coming back and recommending us to others.” 

His advice to other municipal golf operators is simple: 

“If you want to grow your course, improve customer experience, and secure more funding, Players 1st is the tool to use.” 

Thanks to Mickey’s leadership and the power of data-driven decision-making, Memphis MCO is proving that public golf courses can thrive with the right insights and strategic investments.