This was posted on the Golf Course Management Blog about the opening session at the GCSAA National Conference and Show. Although I am not attending the show this year I found it interesting how Judy Rankin, a former LPGA player now commentator, spoke about how important 9-hole golf is for the recreational golfer.
Opening this morning's General Session with the statement, "It's been an extremely tough period for the golf industry," GCSAA's newly appointed CEO, Rhett Evans, went on to introduce several speakers who had some good news and some good advice for the industry.
The superintendents and others gathered to hear last year's Old Tom Morris Award winner, Judy Rankin, talk about her career as a touring pro with the LPGA and her second career as a commentator for televised golf gave her a round of applause when she stated, "I think I'm the only golfer who does NOT consider (herself) an architect." Nevertheless, she added, "I find it difficult to believe you can't tweak four or five holes on any course and make them relevant (for today's long hitters)."
Declaring that she was "personally weary of back-breakers," Rankin went on to describe what she called the "simple joy of hitting golf balls at a facility," and added that since "the best players in the world often love to play a quick nine holes," golf course operations should "have more respect for the nine-hole golfer" and offer better teaching for people who want to play recreationally.
Rankin's comments dovetailed neatly with a presentation by Cathy Harbin, director of Golf 20/20, of that organization's "Get Golf Ready" initiative. Because the initiative has completed its second year, Harbin was able to offer some of the good news regarding new player development the industry is looking for. Based on a recent survey, she said, "For every golfer, there's a person out there what wants to play golf. That's exciting for us." "Get Golf Ready" participants played an average of 24.5 rounds over the last two years, and the industry gained $19.9 million in revenue. For those organizations that support the initiative, she added, "For every dollar spent on the program, there were $14 spent in the industry." Ted Bishop, vice president of the PGA of America who followed Harbin to the podium, commented, "Every time I see these numbers, I get really charged up -- even at this time of the morning."
Rankin, too, gets charged up about making golf more accessible, especially for women. Although she believes that much has been done over time to accommodate women golfers, she doesn't think that par is realistic for them. "Besides (golf) being a hard game to learn, the goals need to be realistic," she said, and encouraged golf course managers and operators to make appropriate label adjustments to teeing areas. Rankin also provided a glimpse into her first career as a touring pro and an even longer look at her career in sports television. In concluding, she asked the superintendents to give her "some good advice" and thanked them for the job they do. "I respect what you do; what patience you must have. You make everything I've done partially possible," she said. "And I thank you for all the beautiful golf courses I have walked through the years."
Opening this morning's General Session with the statement, "It's been an extremely tough period for the golf industry," GCSAA's newly appointed CEO, Rhett Evans, went on to introduce several speakers who had some good news and some good advice for the industry.
The superintendents and others gathered to hear last year's Old Tom Morris Award winner, Judy Rankin, talk about her career as a touring pro with the LPGA and her second career as a commentator for televised golf gave her a round of applause when she stated, "I think I'm the only golfer who does NOT consider (herself) an architect." Nevertheless, she added, "I find it difficult to believe you can't tweak four or five holes on any course and make them relevant (for today's long hitters)."
Declaring that she was "personally weary of back-breakers," Rankin went on to describe what she called the "simple joy of hitting golf balls at a facility," and added that since "the best players in the world often love to play a quick nine holes," golf course operations should "have more respect for the nine-hole golfer" and offer better teaching for people who want to play recreationally.
Rankin's comments dovetailed neatly with a presentation by Cathy Harbin, director of Golf 20/20, of that organization's "Get Golf Ready" initiative. Because the initiative has completed its second year, Harbin was able to offer some of the good news regarding new player development the industry is looking for. Based on a recent survey, she said, "For every golfer, there's a person out there what wants to play golf. That's exciting for us." "Get Golf Ready" participants played an average of 24.5 rounds over the last two years, and the industry gained $19.9 million in revenue. For those organizations that support the initiative, she added, "For every dollar spent on the program, there were $14 spent in the industry." Ted Bishop, vice president of the PGA of America who followed Harbin to the podium, commented, "Every time I see these numbers, I get really charged up -- even at this time of the morning."
Rankin, too, gets charged up about making golf more accessible, especially for women. Although she believes that much has been done over time to accommodate women golfers, she doesn't think that par is realistic for them. "Besides (golf) being a hard game to learn, the goals need to be realistic," she said, and encouraged golf course managers and operators to make appropriate label adjustments to teeing areas. Rankin also provided a glimpse into her first career as a touring pro and an even longer look at her career in sports television. In concluding, she asked the superintendents to give her "some good advice" and thanked them for the job they do. "I respect what you do; what patience you must have. You make everything I've done partially possible," she said. "And I thank you for all the beautiful golf courses I have walked through the years."
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