Minnesota Golfer - Spring 2009 - 41

InsidetheMGA
What the Game Needs Now
MGANews
By Tom Ryan
I love this time
of year.
Spring
has arrived. The
Masters is around
the corner. Golf
courses are opening
up. The golf
season is fi nally
here! This year,
however, you can
not help but feel
a difference. The economy is on everyone's
mind. I'm asked almost every day how golf
is going to be affected. And while no one
knows for sure at this point, I can tell you
no one is taking anything for granted.
be implementing some level of change in
how they do business.
Previous diffi cult economic times
have shown that avid golfers will continue
to play golf. It's a fun, recreational
outdoor activity that many Minnesotans
are just not willing to give up. There's a
reason we're number one in per capita
participation.
I'm happy to report that the MGA
Senior Tour is full-a sign that baby
boomers are planning on playing a lot of
golf. Registration for the MGA Associate
Members' Day events is moving forward
at a great pace. Mike Fermoyle is locked
in for another season of bringing you the
Remember to support your
local course and renew your club
or league membership.
A common thread in my conversations
with managers and golf professionals of
private and public courses has been one
of cautious optimism. That doesn't mean
that diffi cult decisions won't have to be
made or that some clubs and courses
won't do better than others, because they
will. But challenging times also present
opportunities. Club managers and leaders
know that they need to critically evaluate
every aspect of their operation to
discover better ways of providing value.
Doing so will help them retain members
and attract new golfers.
I think you'll see some very creative
programs and events from private clubs
and public facilities aimed at getting you
out to their course. Some programs will
be related to pricing, some to your time
and many to your family and groups. To
remain competitive in today's challenging
climate, every club and course will
www.mngolf.org
best local golf news in the state. And we're
developing ways for golfers unaffi liated
with a specifi c club to get more involved
with the game.
If you keep your eyes open for them,
there are golf opportunities out there for
you. Consider organizing a golf league
with colleagues or friends, get your family
into the game, plan that buddies trip
you've talked about for years or treat
yourself to a round on that course you've
always wanted to play. Remember to support
your local course and renew your
club or league membership with them;
get more involved, if possible, because it's
exactly what the game needs now.
Through your MGA membership support
we're working every day to promote
the game and its values for you and for all
MGA member clubs and associate members.
That won't ever change.
See you on the course.
Updates on people, places
and events from the MGA
and its Allied Associations
MGA Junior Golf
Program
As another fun and fulfi lling golf season
approaches, the MGA encourages you
and your golf club to consider fi elding
a team of junior golfers to participate
in the 2009 MGA Junior Golf Program.
Any boy or girl age 18 or under is eligible
to participate.
More than 120 MGA clubs from around
the state, including about 700 kids, play
in district (June 15-July 3) and regional
(July 16-17) tournaments. The top two
teams (and low individuals) from regionals
advance to the MGA Junior Championship
at Monticello Country Club, Aug.
5-6. The junior program is a great way
to build camaraderie among your club's
future members and champions.
Notify the MGA by May 1; for details,
contact Adam Loch, tournament manager,
at 952-345-3972.
Play Golf Minnesota
Play Golf Minnesota Week returns for
the third consecutive year. Participating
MGA golf courses have a variety of fun
events to encourage golfers to get out and
play during the week of April 27-May 3.
Check with your local course, or visit
www.playgolfminnesota.com.
Correction
In the February/March 2009 issue, Litchfi
eld Golf Club's directions were incorrect.
The correct directions are: Highway
12, 1.5 miles south on Highway 22 to
West Pleasure Drive, two blocks west. We
regret the error.
Get more MGA news online at
mngolf.org
April/May 2009 MINNESOTAGOLFER
39
http://www.playgolfminnesota.com http://www.mngolf.org http://www.mngolf.org
Minnesota Golfer - Spring 2009

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