The True Cost of Golf Course Operations

Professional risk management, incident documentation, and legal readiness — priced as an operating decision, not a per-incident expense

PGI Risk Essentials™ Cost Analysis

Complete training, incident documentation, and attorney review

Course-Covered Certification

Annual Cost

$1,299

Complete PGI Risk Essentials system

Unlimited staff certifications

Monthly Cost

$108

Full training, documentation, and attorney review

Less than one hour of outside counsel

Daily Cost

$3.56

Professional risk infrastructure

Negligible daily operating cost

Individual Certification

Annual Cost

$699

Complete PGI Risk Essentials system

Platform access + individual certifications

Monthly Cost

$58

Full training, documentation, and attorney review

Base platform cost

Daily Cost

$1.91

Professional risk infrastructure

Base platform cost per day

Time Investment: With vs. Without PGI Risk Essentials

Without a Structured System

Staff handling per incident: 30-45 minutes

Manager review & follow-up: 15-30 minutes

Total: 45-75 minutes per incident

Documentation quality inconsistent
No verifiable proof of training

With PGI Risk Essentials

Staff reporting (SimpleSafe™): ~90 seconds

Manager review: 5-10 minutes

Total: 7-12 minutes per incident

Timestamped, standardized records
Certified training documentation

Annual Time Savings

Conservative estimate (30 incidents/year): 16-31 manager hours saved annually

Estimated value (@ $24/hour): $384-$744 in time savings

The Legal Reality

When incidents escalate, the key question is not what happened — but what systems were in place.

PGI Risk Essentials provides:

• Documented staff certification
• Consistent incident reporting via SimpleSafe™
• Attorney review of documented incidents
• Exportable records for insurers or counsel

Annual Cost with PGI Risk Essentials™

Course-Covered: $1,299/year
Individual Certification: $699/year (+ staff certifications)

Both options provide the same system standard: documented staff training, timestamped incident records, and access to attorney review when incidents warrant it.

When Incidents Escalate

Legal defense costs commonly reach tens of thousands of dollars, even for claims that are ultimately dismissed or resolved early. Costs increase significantly when incident documentation is incomplete, staff training cannot be verified, or timelines are disputed.

Insurance Industry Reality

Claims supported by clear documentation and verified training typically resolve faster and with lower overall cost. Timestamped records and certification documentation allow claims evaluators to assess liability objectively rather than relying on contested narratives.

The Break-Even Reality

Avoiding even one legal escalation during a general manager's tenure can justify the investment many times over. Annual risk management costs are predictable; legal defense costs are not.

Training & Certification Value (Included)

All professional training and certification below is included in PGI Risk Essentials.

Informal Training Model

GM orientation: ~$48
Shadow shifts: ~$96
No standardized curriculum
No legal documentation

Total: ~$144 per employee, every season

PGI Risk Essentials Training

Standardized certification modules
Consistent training for all staff
Annual recertification included
Verifiable duty-of-care documentation

Unlimited staff covered annually

Municipal & Public Course Considerations

FOIA / Open Records: Digital exports reduce staff time and disclosure risk

Insurance Renewal: Structured documentation supports underwriting review

Oversight Accountability: Demonstrates proactive governance

Turnover Reality

Seasonal turnover commonly exceeds 40-60% annually. PGI Risk Essentials ensures consistent training and documentation regardless of staff changes.

Bottom Line: PGI Risk Essentials

For roughly $3-4 per day, PGI Risk Essentials delivers professional training, documented incidents, and legal readiness that withstands insurance review, public scrutiny, and post-incident escalation.

SimplePace™ Cost Analysis

Operational pace management that reduces friction before incidents occur

Standalone

$750

Per year

$2.05 per day

With Risk Essentials

$400

Per year

$1.10 per day when bundled

SimplePace helps marshals manage flow, reduce golfer frustration, and prevent tensions from escalating into incidents.