What happens when a historic public golf course suddenly finds itself at the center of golf’s biggest spectacle but without any of the spotlight?
If you’re Forest Hills Golf Club, the answer lies in adaptability, grit, and a surprising unsung hero: insurance.
In this article, you’ll discover how Forest Hills not only survives but thrives each April when Augusta, Georgia, becomes the epicenter of the golf universe. You’ll learn how Masters Week reshapes operations, drives seasonal revenue, and amplifies risk. You’ll also see how insurance plays a make-or-break role in keeping everything on course.
Here’s what we’ll cover:
- The historic legacy and modern role of Forest Hills Golf Club
- How Masters Week creates both financial windfalls and operational challenges
- The critical role insurance plays in protecting public courses like Forest Hills
- Why public golf operates under entirely different constraints and what that means for risk management
A Legendary Course in the Masters’ Backyard
Forest Hills Golf Club isn’t just another public course. It’s part of golf history. Designed in 1926 by Donald Ross, the architect behind famed courses like Pinehurst No. 2, it blends strategic complexity with scenic charm. A 2004 renovation by the Arnold Palmer Company preserved its Ross roots while modernizing the layout for today’s players.
Owned by Augusta University and home to NCAA championship-winning teams, Forest Hills balances legacy and local pride. It’s consistently voted Augusta’s top public course. That’s no small feat in a city obsessed with the sport.
When the Masters Come to Town, Everything Changes
Each April, Forest Hills becomes an accidental tourist destination. While the gates of Augusta National stay firmly closed to the public, thousands of golf lovers descend on the city wanting more than just to watch. They want to play.
Forest Hills meets that demand head-on. During Masters Week:
- Tee times sell out months in advance
- Green fees jump from $30–$60 to about $200
- Special packages offer bucket-list experiences for out-of-town guests
That revenue spike plays a vital role in keeping the course financially sustainable year-round. But with the crowd comes chaos and increased liability.
Why Insurance Isn’t Optional. It’s Essential.
Public courses like Forest Hills don’t have the financial cushion of private clubs. Their business model relies on volume, not exclusivity. That means even a single uninsured incident can unravel their annual budget.
To stay protected, Forest Hills and public courses like it need a layered insurance portfolio. Here’s what that typically includes:
| Coverage Type | What It Covers |
|---|---|
| General Liability | Guest injuries, property damage. Essential for daily play and major events. |
| Property Insurance | Clubhouse, pro shop, and facility damage from storms, fire, or vandalism. |
| Equipment Coverage | Theft or damage to high-value maintenance gear. |
| Golf Cart Insurance | A major necessity during high-traffic weeks like the Masters. |
| Pesticide & Herbicide Liability | Environmental risks tied to course upkeep. |
| Errant Golf Ball Coverage | Damage to neighboring property. Especially relevant with increased visitors. |
| Tournament Insurance | Extra protection for event-specific liabilities. |
This type of coverage doesn’t just protect assets. It enables opportunity. Without it, Forest Hills couldn’t risk the open-door policy that makes it accessible in the first place.
Public Golf’s Reality: High Stakes and Tight Margins
It’s a tough time to run a public golf course. According to a 2019 USGA report:
- 17% of public courses in the Carolinas operated on budgets under $250,000
- 47% needed new irrigation systems
- 59% required bunker renovations
Many are playing defense, not offense.
Unlike private clubs flush with member dues, public facilities face aging infrastructure, lean staffing, and fragile revenue streams. Any unforeseen incident, like equipment damage during peak season or a liability claim, can turn into a crisis without insurance.
Masters Week Brings More People. And More Risk.
While the Masters delivers a revenue spike, it also raises the stakes. The influx of golfers means:
- More golf cart collisions
- Higher wear and tear on turf
- Increased slip-and-fall potential
- Amplified demand on staff and infrastructure
A smart insurance strategy isn’t about fearing these risks. It’s about planning for them. Seasonal policy adjustments or higher liability limits during April are a must for courses like Forest Hills.
The Takeaway: Insurance Is the Backbone of Public Golf
Forest Hills Golf Club offers more than a tee time. It offers a historic, accessible golf experience for everyone. But maintaining that mission, especially in the shadow of a global event like the Masters, demands meticulous planning and a strong insurance backbone.
Without it, the club wouldn’t just risk losing revenue. It could risk losing everything.
What Every Public Golf Course Can Learn from Forest Hills
At the end of the day, we’ve all faced the challenge of managing tight resources while trying to deliver exceptional customer experiences. This is especially true for public golf courses operating under unique pressures, from outdated facilities to seasonal revenue swings.
Now that you’ve seen how Forest Hills navigates these challenges, leveraging insurance as a tool for resilience, it’s time to examine your own approach. Are your policies built to handle your biggest weeks, your busiest seasons, and your unexpected events?
If not, your next step is to talk to a specialist who understands golf facility insurance and can help tailor coverage to your needs.
