Early in 2011, the PGA of America rolled out a golf industry
initiative called Golf 2.0 and it was based on the findings of the Boston
Consulting Group, the largest consumer data marketing firm in the United
States. The idea of the process was to help the PGA of America identify ways to
grow the game of golf and stimulate consumer participation in a sport, which
has been flat from a growth standpoint for several years.
The PGA of America immediately received support from key
allied associations such as the United States Golf Association and the PGA
Tour. Soon after, groups such as the National Golf Course Owners Association
and the Golf Course Superintendents Association jumped on board and what has
evolved in 2012 is an industry wide effort to explore creative ways to do three
things.
1.
Stimulate the core golfers to play more rounds
of golf.
2.
Engage the lapsed golfers, who number 61 million
nationwide, to return to the game.
3.
Invite new players into golf.
You might have seen or heard about Get Golf Ready. If not,
you will be hearing a lot about this $99 instructional program which offers the
consumer five lessons, 1.5 hours each, with an on course component. It is not
necessary to own golf clubs. These Get Golf Ready classes are taught by PGA or
LPGA professionals and they can be ideally suited for all of the abovementioned
players. Get Golf Ready is available at most area courses including- The
Legends GC, Hickory Stick and Otter Creek. For more information, go to
GetGolfReady.com.
As Vice President of the PGA of America, I have been
fortunate to be exposed to several innovative programs that we are
incorporating into The Legends GC this year. I feel it is my responsibility to
think out of the box and explore lots of different ways that we can make golf
fun, affordable and attractive.
Here at The Legends we have installed a Family Tee program
on all of our Championship nines. We have two sets of tees that are
identifiable in our fairways with Blue and Gold markers. The Blue yardage for
nine holes is approximately 1,450 yards and the Gold yardage is around 2,000
yards. This invites beginning players, kids and seniors to the championship
course at a yardage that is both fun and fast.
In addition, we have special 6-hole and 12-hole rates for
these tees that shorten the game. This is the same program that Jack Nicklaus
has adopted at his courses. The Legends GC offers the 6-hole Family Tee fee for
$15 after 6 p.m. daily, which includes the golf car. After 7 p.m. the price
drops to $10 per person. Players can play 18 holes for $30 after 6 p.m. This is
perfect golf for parents and kids or husbands and wives.
In addition, The Legends has installed a 6-hole SNAG course
around its pool area. SNAG Golf is a concept that uses larger plastic clubs and
tennis sized balls. It is perfect for families who have never played golf and
are looking for a way to spend some quality time together. The cost of SNAG
golf is $5 for adults and $3 for kids. We supply the equipment.
Another unique program offered at The Legends is Kwik Golf.
This concept originated in England and the idea is to play a 3-hole course and
golfers earn points based on how fast they play the Kwik Golf course plus how
many shots it takes to play. Adults and kids alike are welcome to Kwik Golf.
This is a great activity that provides a fitness component with some very basic
golf skills. The Kwik Golf course will always be set up and parents can take
their kids out anytime. The Legends GC provide the equipment.
The Legends will be hosting a summer camp for Girls, Inc. in
Franklin. This will be based around the PGA Sports Academy, which offers golf
instruction plus a fitness component. The PGA Sports Academy for Girls, Inc.
will last for approximately eight weeks. PGA instructors at The Legends will
supervise the girls in a variety of exercises geared to build strength and
improve golf skills. The girls will also get golf lessons. For most of these
girls it will be their first shot at golf- literally.
An important component to achieving involvement in some of
the growth of the game objectives was for me to hire a PGA Director of Player
Development. I was very lucky to get Judy Alvarez, PGA to join my staff for the
summer. It was important for me to have a great female teacher, who will attract
more women to our facility. Scott Downing, the 2010 Indiana PGA Teacher of the
Year, and Tony Clecak, PGA will be working with Judy and me to help implement
many of the programs I described at The Legends.
Judy Alvarez is one of the most decorated teaching
professionals in America. She has spent the past several years as the PGA
Director of Instruction at Mariner Sands CC in Palm Beach, FL. Judy also serves
as an adjunct faculty member for the PGA’s Professional Golf Management
Program. She has written a book entitled “Broken
Tees and Mended Hearts” which details her work with disabled veterans. She
has received numerous teaching awards from both the PGA and LPGA.
All of your top area facilities have some PGA or LPGA
presence, which is critical when it comes to getting quality golf instruction.
Local residents are fortunate that they have many great options to improve
their skills and enhance their enjoyment of golf.
Lastly, The Legends is offering a Junior Golf Fun Camp in
June and July on Tuesday evenings. The idea here is to provide kids with the
opportunity to be exposed to golf through the PGA Sports Academy, SNAG or Kwik
Golf. But, besides the golf and fitness component we will offer fishing and
swimming to broaden the experience. The goal is to show kids and parents that
the golf course is a fun place to hang out. Supper is provided each night.
I would encourage you to check with your favorite area golf
facility and see what it has in store for making 2012 a memorable one for golf.
Golf 2.0 offers every golf course many options and depending upon what each
facility has to offer, the programs will differ. At The Legends, we have many
unique opportunities since we have 27 championship holes, an 18-hole par three
course plus a very large practice facility.
The best part about the PGA’s involvement in Golf 2.0 has
been the acceptance by our PGA members. Many have embraced these concepts that
I have described. We are sharing ideas from facility to facility. Those of us
in golf have come to realize that we need to do more than we ever have in order
to get people to play more golf and have fun doing it!
