Minnesota Golfer - Directory 2015 - 40

(punch shots
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InsidetheMGA
It's a Great Time to Be a Golfer
By Tom Ryan
I
'm asked often about the health of the
game. My reply in recent years has
been that the game itself is fine, but the
business of golf has challenges.
Social and economic factors have been
the primary drivers of declining participation
and rounds played, which have
been subjects of negative press. But the
event that really gets the media buzzing
about the health of the game is the closing
of a golf course. The fact is, most closings
are less of a golf story than a real estate
story. Most have been in metro areas
where the land is perfect for residential or
commercial development.
the PGA Merchandise Show. The number
of exhibitors and vendors is well up over
previous years, and they are anxiously
awaiting buyers who are ready to pull the
trigger and spend. Equipment and apparel
manufacturers, destination resorts
and others are all investing in the show in
hopes that a good year is ahead.
We at the MGA are optimistic about
the 2015 season as well. Our mission is to
promote the game and its values for all
golfers in Minnesota.
We do that by supporting our allied
associations, our member clubs and you,
the golfers, by providing high quality,
Even with the challenges facing the
business, it's never been a better
time to be a golfer.
Golf course closings have happened
regularly since the game was first introduced
in Minnesota 120 years ago; it's just
that the number of closings in any given
year has usually been overshadowed by
course openings (150 since 1990), making
most of them non-stories. The real
" golf story " is that a new course hasn't
opened in Minnesota in eight years, primarily
due to these social, economic and
business-related factors.
Even with the challenges facing the
business, it's never been a better time to
be a golfer. Green fees are competitive,
private club memberships are available,
course conditions are great and frankly,
the equipment available now has made it
easier than ever to hit the ball and play
the game.
As we get ready for the 2015 season, I'm
happy to report that many in the industry
are optimistic about the year ahead.
An early indicator is the buzz around
38
MINNESOTAGOLFER Directory 2015
professionally run programs and services.
It's the MGA championships, Senior Tour
and Member Days. It's our Rules of Golf
seminars, regional meetings and annual
Turf Forum. It's our 24/7 support of the
GHIN handicap service and TPP tournament
programs at your club. It's providing
national, regional and statewide golf
information though our award-winning
Minnesota Golfer magazine and mngolf.
org, one of the very best golf association
websites in the country. It's being a
resource for all that is golf in Minnesota.
Let's make 2015 the year we all accept
the challenge to keep moving the business
of the game forward. At the local level,
we need to be introducing new people to
the game and getting those already in the
game to play more, including ourselves.
Each of us doing our part will help support
our local golf courses along the way,
which benefits the business of the game.
See you on the course.
www.mngolf.org
Centennial
Celebrations
Before there was the right to vote, and
long before there was a Title IX, women
had the right to compete on the golf
links. In 1915, Eleanor Lightner defeated
Marion Lanpher after 19 holes
at the inaugural Minnesota Women's
Match Play Championship at the Town
& Country Club in St. Paul. To honor a
century of remarkable milestones, the
Minnesota Women's Golf Association
celebrates its centennial this year with
two special events: Town & Country
Club will host a Centennial Golf Event
Sept. 8 with a 10 a.m. shotgun, and
Interlachen Country Club will host a
Centennial Gala Dinner Sept. 18 with
cocktails at 6 p.m., dinner and program
at 7 p.m. Cost for each is $50 (for
MWGA members only). For more details,
visit mwga-online.org.
http://www.mwga-online.org http://www.mngolf.org
Minnesota Golfer - Directory 2015

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