I plan on making a more detailed response later, I will say now that thus far your and Bill Romano's statements make more sense than the majority of  responses thus far. One reason for golf course decline is we are still in a recession, unemployment is high and OP is defined as a resort etc. Also if anyone took the time to ask former golfers at OP why they find it feasible to drive longer distances (gas prices are still high and time constraints) and frequently pay higher fees. The obvious answer is miss management. More later!

Frank