Golf Inc. - October 2008 - (Page 32)

ADVERTORIAL Golf’s Globalization Bodes Well for the Game’s Future Generally, I think golf is in as good a state as it has been for many years. A big part of this has been the steady globalization of the game. We can all look back through rose-tinted glasses to the heyday of the game in the sixties, seventies, and eighties – but the reality is that, with honourable exceptions like Greg Norman, Seve Ballesteros and Bernhard Langer, the game then was largely a US and UK sport. Today, thanks to the work of organisations like The sport via exciting interactive games like EA Sports and Wii to assist in building the interest in golf from younger people. Overall, I think the professional game is gaining more vibrancy and I believe that the “new” stars like Camillo Villegas, Sergio Garcia and Anthony Kim are a breath of fresh air that will assist greatly in spreading the golf message to future generations. I am writing this the morning after the Ryder Cup singles and watching Kim and Garcia in the first match, you really got a feel of dynamic young players who can take the sport forward. David Spencer The ‘Tiger’ factor has been a massive driver of the game in recent years but his enforced absence of the latter part of this season, while unfortunate for him, has not been a bad thing for golf. I think it has given the sport a chance to recognise that there are an increasing range of exciting players who can challenge the established order and who can develop their own fan bases around the world. In Dubai, the game is lucky enough to have the support of the Emirate’s ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, in making it a core element of the city’s lifestyle and tourism offering. At Leisurecorp, we’re trying to make sure we create golf developments that appeal to all generations and all nationalities, which means carefully mixing the types European Tour, and of course the smaller regional Tours, of courses, the types of housing and hotels, and the types we have a true global sport on our hands. We have events of brand ambassadors. — and strong professional players — in all regions of the The 2009 season will be a watershed year for the comworld. pany, with each of our courses hosting an important There are some pockets in which the game is really tournament. In December, Pearl Valley Golf Estates welbooming and I foresee real growth over the coming years – comes the South African Open; in July, The Open is at places such as Southern and Eastern Europe, the Middle Turnberry; and in December, we host the inaugural Dubai East and of course China. World Championship. It means a busy year for our team – The global explosion of the game in recent times has but it also highlights an important element of the mix for been fuelled by the “Baby Boomers” and golf everywhere us, which is globally-recognised competition. needs to make sure that it balances the needs of the next If there is one thing that unites golfers of every age, it generations. This will mean making hybrids of 18-hole is wanting to emulate their heroes on the course. And Championship golf with more focus on shorter courses, every chance we can give for them to see those heroes is a making golf instruction more user-friendly and less intimi- chance to attract more people to this beautiful game. dating to new golfers, and gaining more coverage for the —David Spencer, CEO, Leisurecorp

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Golf Inc. - October 2008

Golf Inc. - October 2008 Contents From the Editors: Smaller is Less Costly Survey Reveal Golf's Economic Impact in EMA Private Club Managers Earn Bigger Salaries Dyes Mourn Loss of Family Member Changing Demographics Impact European Golf Scene RDC Golf Group Finds Affordable Golf Niche Links at Summerly Offers Unique Twist Cost Crunch Most Powerful People in Golf Contractors Focus on Renovations, International�Projects Troon, IMG Reach Into Booming Middle East Market Americas Recap: New Player Design in Mexico Europe-Africa Recap: Moroccan Lakeside Development Asia-Australia Recap: 3 Billion Dollar Resort in Vietnam The Last Word: There's No Substitute for Good Friends on a Golf Course

Golf Inc. - October 2008

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