from the publishers header
Media Mulligan As the owner or partner in several businesses in my professional career, including golf retail, I’ve learned that “naysayers” or “negative nellies” don’t have to sell to make it work. Where I’m going with this is the recent NGF (National Golf Foundation) report on Media coverage on the demise of golf. Anybody who thinks golf is on the decline is short-sighted and not looking at the ‘big picture.’ The game of golf is strong and is poised to get stronger. Anybody who feels otherwise needs to check the facts. The statistics don’t lie. While we in the golf industry admit that there are not as many golfers as we would like, that’s just a sign that we are not content with the status quo. It’s great to be a golfer – always has been and always will be. Did you know that golf is a Top 20 sport? Yes, golf – with more than 25 million players -- is the 18th most popular sport in the U.S., according to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA), which studies participation rates in 100+ sports in this country. Did you know that there are more golfers than participants in any team sport? Nobody is saying that basketball is on the decline, yet it only has 23 million participants. Did you know that there are more golfers than the combined number of participants in skateboarding, ice hockey, tackle football, lacrosse, and triathlons? Did you know golf is a great fitness outlet, especially for fans? How many fans in any sport really get to walk alongside the greats in the game and actually interact with them during competition? I don’t recall anybody getting that close to NFL QB Tom Brady or former Yankee great Derek Jeter during actual games, but people do remember things said to them over the years by Arnie, Lee, Jack, Phil, and Tiger! As for the role that golf plays in raising money for charity, it’s in a class by itself. Nearly $4 billion a year is raised for charity through golf. And, the game’s impact on the economy is huge – more than $70 billion a year. This is why golf is a sport which is second to none. And whatever sport is in second is a distant second. There are two issues which do impact participation: darkness and temperature. I’m looking forward to the creation of more indoor golf facilities. Like the old adage, “If you build it, they will come,” has never ringed truer. The fun and beauty is being involved with a sport that raises money for charities. Also a sport that can be played as long as you live and not confined to sitting in the stands or watching from a bar or at home on television. It’s glorious to be outdoors playing the game you love with beautifully maintained golf holes, thanks 2009 North Florida PGA Amateur of the Year to the GCSAA professionals. 4
Volume 15, Issue 7 Publisher: Terrie L. Purdum Editor in Chief: Shannon Coates Tennessee Golf Central Publisher: Glenn Makin, golfnews4friends.net
Regional Partner: Doug Hollandsworth, Founder-Georgia Golf Trail Executive Editor: Joel Jackson–Director of Communications for the Florida Golf Course Superintendents Association Executive Administration: Angi Perretti Photographers: Lynn Pelham, Brion Price, Peter Hakansson Tres Fenton, Mike Coonan, Jess Regan
Public Relations & Social Media Director: Green Gazelle Marketing Senior Correspondent: Rick Harris, Sr. Contributing Writers: Jay Golden, PGA; Greg Wise, Bob Bolton, Elisa Gaudet, Mike Jamison, Mike May, Chris Thompson, Katie Hatfield, Ron Heller, Chuck Cavalaris, Mitch Sadowsky, Lisa "Mickie" Clark Graphic Design: Melahn Cable, melahn@mac.com Website Design/Network Support: ryjo.com
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Florida Golf Central • Volume 15, Issue 7