Archive for April, 2009

Enriching the lives of Women through the Game of Golf

April 24, 2009 · Filed under Drive for Dreams, EWGA · Tagged , , , , , , , , , , ,

Think about the vision of the EWGA: Enriching the lives of women through the game of golf. They can appear to be nothing but virtuous words. However, twice in recent weeks, events have taken place that prove these words are more than just words. In fact, the recent events brought the vision of the EWGA to life. There are many who live the organization’s vision every day. There is little doubt that the concept of “paying it forward” comes naturally to EWGA members, and is practiced often.

Here’s what happened: In Tampa, FL a week ago, thousands of women gathered at the national convention of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD). Annika Sorenstam made a keynote presentation to the attendees. During this event, the EWGA received a very prestigious award from the National Association of Girls & Women in Sport (NAGWS). This honor is the most prestigious award presented by NAGWS to an individual or group that “exemplifies the spirit of devoted service to girls’ and women’s sports and who have by their leadership and industry made an outstanding and noteworthy contribution.” And yes indeed, the EWGA has certainly done just that. With more than 100,000 women participating in EWGA programs since our inception in 1991, we certainly have promoted the game of golf to women and helped them learn the game.

While I was glowing with pride in the organization’s recognition with this honor, I received an email from our friend Rose in Kenya. She was quite excited and wanted to provide us with an update on her girls:

The girls from EWGA’s Drive for Dreams are doing well. The girls from the first group are now big and shaping up well in golf. We are very excited because 4 of them have been invited to visit and play golf at St Andrews in Scotland.

St Andrews, Scotland

We leave for Scotland on 11th July and return to Nairobi on 1 August. We thank you for opening the door for us as through your invitation to attend the 2007 EWGA conference that I secured this great sponsorship. St Andrews Links will pay for our flights, accommodation and all other expenses! I will be leaving my current job at the end of this month to concentrate on the girls program as I have taken on more children and this will need my full-time commitment.

Together, we truly achieved a milestone by assisting Rose and her girls. This is the EWGA vision come to life! You never know what impact an action you take will have on someone else. When you hear the daily news, read the negative headlines, isn’t it nice to know that there is still a great deal of good going on in our world? Who knows, one of Rose’s girls may be a future golf star! Let’s keep this positive momentum going and continue doing good whenever and wherever we can!

Leave a comment »

Celebrating National Volunteer Week April 16-26th

April 20, 2009 · Filed under EWGA · Tagged , , , ,

“We are recognizing and thanking our volunteers throughout this week for their dedication, passion and service to the EWGA. Volunteers are the foundation of our organization — from the 1500 volunteer leaders who run EWGA local Chapters; to the thousands of others who serve as mentors, on committees and volunteer at events; the dedicated teams that run the EWGA Championship and support other EWGA initiatives; and the EWGA and EWGA Foundation Board of Directors – all giving freely of their time and talent to help others benefit through the game of golf.”

National Volunteer Week April 19-26th

Volunteers are the cornerstone for the success of the EWGA. Thousands of women dedicate untold hours to running their local Chapters and supporting this international organization dedicated to enriching the lives of women through the game of golf. In recognition of their volunteer leadership, EWGA is saluting its members during National Volunteer Week, April 19 -26, 2009.

Leave a comment »

State of the Industry: We’re doing OK, Golf Inc. Conference Speakers Say

April 15, 2009 · Filed under The Golf Industry

Were doing OK

We're doing OK

This article is reprinted from the April 2009 Golf Inc. website.

http://www.golfincmagazine.com/content/state-industry-were-doing-ok-golf-inc-conference-speakers-say

Despite growing challenges posed by the poor economy, environmental issues and changing lifestyles, a group of top industry leaders expressed optimism about the future of the business of golf during a keynote session at the recent Golf Inc. Conference at the World Golf Village in St. Augustine, Fla.
The session examining the state of the golf industry attracted the chief executive officers of four organizations – Joe Steranka of the PGA of America, Steve Mona of the World Golf Foundation, Mark Woodward of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America and Jim Singerling of the Club Managers Association of America –  and kicked off the three-day event. Henry DeLozier of Global Golf Advisors and a former president of the Golf Course Owners Association of America moderated the panel.
Though the speakers acknowledged that many segments of the industry have struggled to stay afloat, golf operators in general have managed to hold their own.
“We’re doing OK,” Steranka said. Rounds nationally were down just 1.8 percent in 2008 and are up slightly for the first two months of 2009, he said. “Relatively speaking, we’re doing fantastic in the world today,” he said. “I believe golf is more immune to the downturn in discretionary spending.”
Singerling said it’s a positive sign that in his 40 years in the golf business, he has never seen the various segments of the golf industry working together as closely as they are today. Still, since only about 10 percent of the population plays golf, “We have to do a better job in talking to the other 90 percent of the people,” he said.
Mona said that the short-term will remain challenging for operators.
“But the fundamentals of golf are solid,” he said. “Let’s see what happens to the industry in the summer.”
Woodward sounded a cautionary note, pointing out that he believes the second quarter of 2009 will be critical for the industry.
“I don’t think we have felt the impact [of the recession] completely,” he said.
Mona said that operators need to do a better job of communicating the benefits of golf to the general population.
“We need to be smart and focused,” he said. “We need to push the fitness angle for golf. And we need to think about the underserved markets: women, African-Americans, Hispanics and Asian-Americans.”
He said the response to Get Golf Ready, the new grow-the-game program launched last fall by Golf 20/20, has been even greater than anticipated. More than 1,150 facilities had applied for certification as of the end of March, with more than 850 being certified, he said.
“But the ultimate measure of success will be what happens at the facility level,” Mona said.
The speakers also pointed out that golf, which has been an international game for decades, has become a worldwide industry as well.
“The days of isolationism are over,” Mona said. “We need to get over our jingoism and realize that we live in an international world.”
Woodward said that operators need to let non-golfers know that courses are an asset to the community, especially when it comes to environmental issues such as chemical and water use.
“We probably are the most responsible users of water of any industry in America,” he said.

Leave a comment »

The Four F’s of Golf

April 4, 2009 · Filed under The Golf Industry · Tagged , , , , , ,

Golf 20/20

Golf 20/20

Leaders from across the golf industry were in St. Augustine, FL at the World Golf Village this week attending the Golf Inc. Conference. Naturally, the conversation focused on the economy and how it was impacting the golf industry. In fact, it was noted that this is the first recession in our history where there has been a 24/7 news cycle continually pummeling us with what is happening on the economy. It was re-confirmed by research experts that in recessions, the golf industry has been one of the last industries to be affected and also one of the first to recover. This is good news for golf!

 

 

So with this 24/7 world we live in, isn’t it nice to know that golf offers us an oasis away from whatever is happening in our lives at a given point in time? In tough times, who do you want to be with? Friends and family come to my mind. And – the sport of golf is the perfect fit for that.

 

When you think about it, golf offers us a great escape. We get to enjoy the outdoors, get exercise, it helps build good character, it’s a lot of fun, it’s a great way to meet people and it’s a sport that can be played for a lifetime.  

 

And speaking of great ways to meet people and be connected, the EWGA does it the best. So in these challenging times, why not keep connected with friends and family through golf?

 

A great comment I heard at the Golf Inc. Conference involved the 4F’s – Friends, Fun, Fitness and Fresh Air. Isn’t that truly the essence of what the EWGA is about? Let’s celebrate the great oasis we have created for ourselves within the EWGA community and go play! And while you’re at it – introduce a friend to the EWGA too. 

 

 

Leave a comment »

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.