Golf In 2016 Takes Center Stage At 2009 PGA Show

ORLANDO, Fla., January 28, 2009 … As the golf industry converges in Orlando for the 2009 PGA Show, taking place January 29-31, one topic that will stand front and center is Golf in 2016. With the International Golf Federation lobbying the International Olympic Committee for one of two open spots on the sports calendar for 2016, and with a decision on the 2016 sports roster to be made in October of 2009, PGA Show attendees are being encouraged to cast their vote for Golf in 2016.

Located at Booth #2462, and sponsored by ForeFront, the industry’s leading supplier of premium golf accessories, exhibitors and attendees will be invited to stop at one of two kiosks to cast their vote for Golf in 2016. There are two spots open for 2016, with seven sports applying, including golf, baseball, softball, karate, rugby sevens, squash and roller sports.

"With golf’s greatest names from the U.S., Canada, Norway, Sweden, Mexico, Fiji, South Africa and many other countries, supporting the International Golf Federation’s effort for Golf in 2016, there is no better place to gauge interest in this topic than among the industry that manages golf," said Scott Harris, Director of Marketing, ForeFront. "With thousands of exhibitors and attendees at the PGA Show, we thought it would be fun, and eye opening, to let the golf industry cast their vote for Golf in 2016."

Harris adds, "Golf in 2016 could potentially bring a whole new level of interest to the game, driving new players into golf, and creating a much larger fan base. We believe this is good for the industry overall, and we are using this voting campaign to provide a true perspective on the issue, while allowing people the chance to voice their opinion."

In addition to its PGA Show booth and voting kiosks, ForeFront has established a website, www.golfin2016.org, where interested individuals can visit to cast their vote. Voting will begin January 29 and will run through September. ForeFront encourages all golfers and golf fans to voice their opinion, as this survey is designed to provide a compelling data point for Golf in 2016. 

About ForeFront
ForeFront Group, Inc. owns the Burton, Datrek, Devant Sport Towels, Sir Christopher Hatton and Miller Golf Company brands and has been developing, marketing and customizing premium golf accessory products with brands dating to 1907. Its extensive product offerings include golf bags, travel covers, custom image dyed and embroidered golf towels, bag tags and many other golf accessories. It enjoys license or distribution agreements with major universities through the Collegiate Licensing Company, PGA TOUR, Champions Tour, PGA of America and the USGA. ForeFront Group services over 6,000 points of sales through multiple distribution channels including green grass, retail, national sporting goods and mass merchandise retail as well as the corporate, premium and advertising specialty markets. For more information on our product offerings visit us at www.forefrontgolf.com.

Article from The Wire, Thursday, January 29, 2009

 

Principal Charity Classic Volunteer Registration

The Principal Charity Classic presented by Wells Fargo will be contested
May 26-31, 2009 at Glen Oaks Country Club in West Des Moines. This
exciting Champions Tour event has opened volunteer registration.
 
One of the best ways to experience The Principal Charity Classic is by
joining the team.  Get inside the ropes and an up close look at the
Champions Tour players and special events. 
 
 Register Online Today!
http://www.principalcharityclassic.com/pcc-volunteers.php

 
Volunteers are an important part of the event and we thank you for your
time and energy. 
 
Volunteers of The Principal Charity Classic receive a volunteer package
with a total retail value of over $300!
 
Volunteer Package includes:

*   
    One Men’s or Ladies Golf Shirt
*   
    One Men’s or Ladies Wind Shirt
*   
    Choice of Golf Cap or Sport Visor
*   
    Volunteer Badge = FREE admission
*   
    FREE Volunteer Parking
*   
    Meal Voucher on Workdays
*   
    Volunteer Party
*   
    Five (5) Good-Any-One-Day tickets for family and friends 

For more information about volunteering visit
principalcharityclassic.com .

As an Iowa Section PGA supporter, you are also given a discount on
tickets for this great tournament, coupon code: ipga, will get you $5
off a Good-Any-Day ticket, no limit! Don’t let this opportunity pass you
by!

For more information or to order tickets, go to
www.principalcharityclassic.com.

78 Champions Tour players will make this three-day, 54-hole stroke play
event a great summer memory. Order your ticket packages today and see
your favorite players in Iowa next spring!

PGA Best Practices: Women & Golf

Lisa Miller is the PGA director of golf and the golf operations manager for the four public courses of Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Special Events Show Women They Matter

Lisa on the importance of special women’s events:
Having regular women’s clinics or women’s leagues is great, and an important component of any women’s program, but often it is not enough to stop there and consider your women’s golf program a success. Rather, we’ve seen that it is also important to hold special women-specific events, to help show ladies that they are meaningful and appreciated. A successful program we launched last year was adding value to our two-day Best Shot competition, which we marketed to our Ladies Association at each of our four courses through our Web site and in a weekly e-mail blast. The women’s two-person best shot tournament is played at two different courses on each day culminating with a barbecue lunch. Perhaps the most important part of last year’s event, at least in terms of proving our commitment to the ladies, was a women-only demo event at the end of the first day. Demo days aren’t uncommon at golf courses, but this was the first time we organized one specifically aimed at our female demographic. For this first event we only brought in Callaway Golf and gave our ladies a great opportunity to take a look at all the women’s golf products the company offers. It was a great success and we had a greater turnout than we initially expected, all of which has led us to begin organizing a larger event for next year where we’ll bring in more companies to make everything bigger and better.

Lisa on the business impact of special women’s events:
In just the one evening, we were able to bring in an additional $2,400 in merchandise sales. Additionally, many of the participants will be contacted when the Callaway 2009 shoe line becomes available, and will be offerered the opportunity to special-order shoes for their coming golf season. More importantly, we will have the opportunity to build relationships and a loyalty factor with our women golfers. Many of the purchases at the women’s demo day were special orders and when the customers came in to pick up their purchases they commented on how easy a process it was, which we believe will lead to more purchases in the future.

This article was published January 8, 2009 on PGA Magazine.com

Bob Moreland – January 2009 PROfile

Name: Robert P. Moreland
Year Turned Professional: 1963
Facility and Job Title: Ottumwa Country Club/Golf Professional

What was your motivation to become a PGA Professional?
I always enjoyed all aspects of the golf business; playing, teaching, conducting tournaments, merchandising. The best way to participate in all of these was to become a PGA Professional.

What is your specialty in the golf business?
Teaching junior golfers and helping them reach their full potential.
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