By Greg Halbleib
GIBSON CITY – Golf courses have generally been known as 9-hole or 18-hole layouts, but the re-opened layout in Gibson City is neither.
Railside Golf Club opened a month ago as a 12-hole course. The in-between number of holes may be a trend according to Guy Percy, one of Railside’s new owners.
“People are busy. They just don’t have time,” Percy told WJBC’s Scott Laughlin and Patti Penn. “So, you know what we thought? We’re going to have a front six and a back six, and six times three equals 18 just like nine times two does, and you know what? It works.”
Railside was an 18-hole course that closed last year, but re-opened in May under new ownership. Percy said the flexibility of 12 holes is more attractive than 18 holes.
“It takes too long and it might cost a little bit too much,” Percy said of 18-hole layouts. “With the 12-hole deal, there’s still a lot of satisfaction. There’s time to get momentum, there’s time to end your momentum, I’m done, I’m not sore yet, I still have a little money left, but most of all it’s a time issue.”
Percy says the length is also good for charity events.
“These groups are excited,” Percy said of the charities interested in hosting golf events. “The people that want to play are excited. They didn’t sign up to help them raise money and give them an entire day. They’ll come out and play their round in three hours, have a steak dinner or a hamburger and go home.”
Greg Halbleib can be reached at [email protected].
