Golf Inc. - October 2008 - (Page 46)

The Last Word You gotta have friends A recent survey of 850 core golfers by the National Golf Foundation asked what frequent golfers appreciate the most about their regular golfing experiences. Survey says … a tie between a day out with friends and good course conditions, both receiving the top mark with 19 percent of the respondents. Amen. Frankly, the first of those would have gotten my vote. I live in San Diego County, so finding a reasonably well-conditioned golf course is not too difficult with 90-plus courses to choose from, but even lumpy greens (which would probably help my putting), spotty fairways or poorly maintained bunkers wouldn’t keep me from meeting my regular group somewhere on Saturday morning. Conversely, Augusta National-like conditioning might not induce me to ignore the honey-do list if By Jim Dunlap ing him he wouldn’t be “Wally Pipped” — unlike Lou Gehrig’s predecessor, he wouldn’t lose his spot in the foursome for the next 1,700-plus outings. He returned last weekend, a bit weaker, out of practice and raspier of voice thanks to invasive breathing tubes, but the same old Jim otherwise. Needless to say, he got no more strokes, despite his plan to bring his walker to the first tee. We did, however, put a set of jumper cables in his cart, just in case he decided to have heart attack number two, so we wouldn’t have to interrupt our game to tend to him or slow up play waiting for the defibrillator. OK, we’re a little sick, but we knew he was up to it. Bottom line, on the 18th tee, he called us over and said, “OK, you (censored), this cost me a few bucks, but I want to tell you this is the best day I’ve had in a long, long time and it’s worth every penny.” I c can’t tell you what the other two guys’ react tions were – I turned away so he wouldn’t s spot a tear. Wouldn’t be manly, you unders stand. So, yes, I’ll vote for a day of golf with f friends. If you don’t agree, think about losi ing one of them forever. I’ll take my buddy’s c company over perfect greens any day. M Mistaken identity A Approximately four years ago, our publisher, J Jack Crittenden, negotiated a deal with his f father, Alan Crittenden, to purchase what w were formerly known as the Crittenden Golf C Conferences from his dad. At the same time, J Jack sold his golf newsletters to his dad’s C Crittenden Research company, where they a are currently published as the Crittenden G Golf Business & Real Estate newsletter. We have subsequently changed, with little fanfare, our company umbrella name to Cypress Magazines, and the conferences’ name to the Golf Inc. Conferences. Old habits die hard, however, and many golf industry veterans still refer to our Golf Inc. Conferences as “the Crittenden Conference.” Similarly, many still think the newsletters are published by our company, which they are not. So, if you have comments pro or con, please direct them to the appropriate entity, and thanks for playing. my regular buddies were all otherwise occupied. (Fortunately, they all have understanding – or ex – wives, and untreatable golf afflictions, so that isn’t generally an issue). One of our motley crew ran into an unplayable lie a couple of months ago, when a blockage in an artery leading from his heart put him on the disabled list for six weeks. We of course filled his spot — why punish all of us because he likes Mexican food and vodka? But we missed him, and calmed his anxiety by assur- 46 Golf Inc. October 2008

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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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