Divot Mix

"No matter how excellent may be the distances; how cunningly placed the hazards, or how carefully considered has been the distribution of shots--if the greens themselves do not stand forth impressively the course itself can never notable." A.W. Tillinghast

Play Golf America celebrates five-year anniversary

Play Golf America was launched in 2004 as an industry-wide marketing campaign designed to introduce people to golf, plus improve their ability to play and enjoy the game.   As a result, millions of players nationwide have taken advantage of free and low-cost Play Golf America programs delivered by PGA and LPGA Professionals.

More than 3.4 million people have participated in group instruction at the grass-root level, for an average of 678,000 students per year during Play Golf America's five-year history.  Branded Play Golf America programs have reached 1.28 million consumers since 2004 through participation in Play Golf America Days, special events and National Promotions such as PGA Free Fitting and Trade-Up Month, PGA Free Lesson Month, American Express; Women's Golf Month and Family Golf Month with Take Your Daughter to the Course as its cornerstone.  In addition, an average of 5.5 million golfers participated in leagues and outings per year during that same time frame.

"We are certainly excited that so many golfers, including families, are taking advantage of the programs that Play Golf America offers," said PGA of America President Jim Remy. 

Program highlights include:

• 3.4 million consumers participated in group instruction, including lessons and clinics over the last five years
• 1.28 million consumers reached through branded National Promotions, Play Golf America Days and special events throughout the last five years
• A total of $69 million generated from group instruction revenues over the last three years (stats began in 2006)
• Since 2007, national promotions have accounted for a $37.5 million impact to the golf economy over the last two years
• 40,000 unique programs have been promoted on PlayGolfAmerica.com throughout the past five years
• 7.3 billion media impressions were made with a value of $138 million in the last five years

It is projected that national promotions, such as Free Fitting & Trade-Up Month, Free Lesson Month, Women's Golf Month and Family Golf Month accounted for a $20.7 million impact in 2008 and $16.8 million impact in 2007 to the golf economy. On the local level, program coordinators reported that hosting these promotions generated a gain in their revenues. 

More than 75 percent of new golfers report that one year after participating in a Play Golf America experience, they had played an average of 17 rounds, spending $1,695 on golf-related items. Existing golfers reported playing 44 rounds per year, spending $3,559 on golf-related items

It is projected that nearly 100,000 women participated in a variety of 2008 Play Golf America initiatives, including branded national promotions, Play Golf America Days, special events and programs targeted specifically for women.

Established as a comprehensive marketing campaign in 2004, Play Golf America has evolved into a multi-dimensional initiative, including various programs, resources, and educational tools as well as a marketing campaign to increase participation among new and existing golfers.  It has received continued support from Executive Women's Golf Association, Golf Range Owners Association of America, Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, National Recreation and Park Association, Golf Course Builders Association, the International Association of Golf Administrators, and The First Tee.

The "Play Golf America Five-Year Report: 2004 to 2008" can be read here.

California team wins John Deere World Championship

The 22nd John Deere World Championship brought 71 teams to Grande Dunes in Myrtle Beach, S.C., Nov. 6-8, and the Southern California team led by Andy Means of AA Equipment emerged victorious.

The annual event consists of three rounds of golf and a shootout where nine flight winners advance to the shoot-out where a closest to the pin contest determined the overall champions.  Players from around the world participated in the event, including representatives from the United States, Canada, Sweden, United Kingdom, Argentina, Norway, Switzerland, South Korea and Czech Republic.

"For more than two decades, this tournament has been a great way to bring together golf course management staff and John Deere personnel from all over the world," said Cory Niehaus, tournament director.

With a score of 157 and closest-to-the-pin at 6 feet 3 inches, the winning team included Means; Mike Snyder, GCSAA Class A superintendent at Sun Lakes Country Club; Ian Sturge, GCSAA superintendent at Hidden Valley Golf Club; and Ron Benedict GCSAA superintendent at Newport Beach Country Club.

IGF presents case for Olympic golf

Representatives of the International Golf Federation formally presented their case for golf to become an Olympic sport during a meeting today with the International Olympic Committee Programme Commission at the IOC headquarters in Lausanne.

Making the presentation were Peter Dawson, chief executive of The R&A and joint secretary of the IGF, and PGA Tour executive Ty Votaw, executive director of the IGF Olympic Golf Committee.

Among the key points they highlighted were golf’s worldwide participation and diversity; the sport’s economic and charitable impact; and its commitment to the youth of the world. Golf, they noted, has grown significantly in these three areas and would continue to grow as an Olympic sport, thus influencing the relevance and attraction of the Olympic Games.

"Golf truly is an international sport, with 60 million people playing the game in nearly 120 countries," Dawson noted. "And it continues to grow with new initiatives being implemented all over the world to teach the game to both young and old. We believe the time is right for golf to be brought back to the Olympic Games."   

During the presentation, the IOC Programme Commission was shown a series of short films that featured top players expressing support for golf’s bid.

"We felt it was critically important to show that many of the game’s biggest stars are saying supportive and positive things about golf's bid for the Olympics," Votaw said.

A special element in the presentation was the actual trophy won by Canadian George Lyon in the individual stroke play in 1904 in St. Louis the last time golf was an Olympic sport.

The next step in the process is to submit responses to a detailed questionnaire in March that will constitute the formal and technical bid.

Each of the seven sports being considered for inclusion starting with the 2016 Games made a presentation. Also under consideration are baseball, karate, roller sports, rugby sevens, softball and squash.