KPMG’s new Golf Business Community Web site has gone live featuring golf market intelligence, analysis and news.

The portal features video interviews, expert analysis and new research, plus ‘in focus’ topics each month beginning with ‘Golf and the Economic Downturn,’ the title of KPMG Golf Advisory Practice’s newly published report.

“The purpose of the Golf Business Community Web site is to establish an interactive platform for individuals and businesses in the golf industry to stay in constant contact with the market and benefit from the latest research and information, as well as building relationships,” said Andrea Sartori, head of KPMG’s golf advisory practice for Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

“Each month we will be focusing on specific topics including development, design and the environment and hearing the thoughts and insights of industry leaders. There will also be regular opinion polls to test the temperature of the market on different issues and a regular e-newsletter, which is free to sign up for.”

KPMG’s new report, Golf and the Economic Downturn, now available on the Web site, follows a survey of more than 300 golf courses in 32 countries. Two-thirds of the golf courses surveyed in the EMA region said the financial crisis had impacted negatively on their operations, with nearly half of all courses reporting reduced revenues and profitability.

More than a third of golf courses said they were experiencing lower or stagnant revenues without being able to reduce costs, raising the prospect of unsustainable business operations based on current trends.

Visitors to the Golf Business Community Web site will also find information about the annual KPMG Golf Business Forum, which takes place this year at The Gloria Hotels & Resorts, Belek, Turkey on 12-14 May 2010.