NO WORLD PARTY: GOLF VILLAGE EXPERIENCING SPARSE ATTENDANCE

          Before the World Golf Village opened in May, the
     "attraction was predicted to draw 1 million people in its
     first 12 months," but so far it is "on pace to draw only
     240,000 in its first year," according to Mattson & Daniels
     of the FL TIMES-UNION.  Resort officials admit that "it's
     been a tough summer," but they say "business is increasing." 
     World Golf Foundation Exec Dir Ruffin Beckwith: "We
     weathered what, in terms of attendance, will be the worst
     four months of our history.  But we knew that going in." 
     Village officials "had thought" the World Golf Hall of Fame
     would be the site's top attraction, but it "has lagged
     behind IMAX theater attendance."  The hall drew 23,348 paid
     admissions from its May 16 opening through August.  Business
     "has also been worse than expected" at the on-site resort
     hotel and convention center.  Beckwith said that less than
     $1M is being spent on marketing this year, but next year the
     village "will spend close" to $2M on marketing, with golf
     groups adding an additional $4M (FL TIMES-UNION, 10/16).