Leading sports research company SPORTS MARKETING SURVEYS INC. (SMS INC.) has announced a year on year increase in the number of rounds played during the second quarter.
SPORTS MARKETING SURVEYS INC. has confirmed that the number of golf rounds played in the second quarter of 2015 exceeds that of those played in the same period of 2014. The average number of rounds played has increased by 3.5% in this quarter when compared to last year, and, hot off the heels of a similarly encouraging first quarter, the half yearly total of rounds played is up 6.7% compared to 2014.
In April, all UK regions saw increases in rounds played, with an average of a 6.9% increase compared to 2014. This is perhaps due to the month being dry and according to provisional figures, the sunniest since 1942 across the UK. The overall UK rainfall was 64% of average.
Scotland saw the coldest May since 1996, and the fourth wettest since 1910. Perhaps unsurprisingly then, Scotland saw a decrease of 15.6% in its rounds played compared to 2014. However all other regions saw increases.
The number of rounds played in June was up by just 0.9% nationally compared to 2014. England’s sunshine amounts were 125% of average, resulting in positive results across all regions. Scotland, however, saw 103% of average rainfall, resulting in a decrease of 8.5% of rounds played across the region compared to 2014. There were few major sporting events competing for golfers’ attention, which is a contributing factor to these positive numbers.
Richard Payne, Senior Manager of Sports Accounts at SMS INC. commented, “The amount of golf played in this quarter was up across the UK in contrast to 2014, and a 7% increase at this mid-year point is a fantastic figure. Golf participation numbers have stabilised and going forward we are hoping to see more positive results again next quarter.”
SPORTS MARKETING SURVEYS INC www.sportsmarketingsurveysinc.com
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