Wed Jan 18 2012The core item that will fix the industry - PARTICIPATION
All businesses, which “clubs” are no exception are based around a simple premise of “supply and demand” which helps dictate the strategies to be taken for the business to grow and to become, more importantly, sustainable. In the business of golf we must start increasing the demand in the game if we are all going to survive as businesses supporting the game as a whole. No matter what part of the industry you are in, we all are dependent on people playing the game of golf. So why isn’t there more focus on this key driver of the entire industry? The National and State Organisations can only give us the tools to work with, its then up to each of us individually to make a difference. The successful programs are due solely to having someone at the Club wanting to make a difference. I’ve heard numerous times recently that some committees and managers couldn’t be bothered to provide a place for beginners or juniors to try the game. What are they thinking!!
A hypothetical - If general participation increases, membership numbers will increase by shear default. This would also be true for people becoming administrators, social players, PGA Members, or any other role that involves the game of golf. Grow the base and the branches will grow from there.
An incredible milestone was reached last year which allows golf to again be played in the 2016 Olympics. Now that it is in, let's open the discussion on who should actually be eligible to play. I've always been a strong believer that only amateurs should be allowed to play in the Olympics. Each country should be allowed to send just two players for each the men and woman's team. They then have a qualifying event to proceed into the final 72-hole stroke or match play event.
There is too much focus on the "Top" professional players participating in this forum, when this should all be about giving the many 'up-and-comer' players and countries an opportunity to compete on a world stage. As an industry, we really need as many "non golf" countries to take up the sport whole-heartedly to help grow the game at the true grass roots level. This is the only way the “business of golf” will ever fully succeed. Golf has to stop being seen as only an "elite" sport, and needs to improve the message regarding the merits of community, environmental, personal development and various health benefits.
Contact Mike for all your golf operations and marketing needs. morloff@golfindustrycentral.com.au or +61 415 682 259
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Multi-course operators like ClubCorp and American Golf have access to a pool of shared knowledge and expertise. This results in cost-effective policies and procedures that can make all the difference to an individual club's success. Now Mike is offering the experience, knowledge and tools he has gathered over almost two decades in the USA and Australia to stand-alone clubs throughout Australia, New Zealand and South-East Asia. The programs and systems Mike helped develop for Australian golf facilities over the past several years have resulted in positive outcomes for properties he managed including: Lakelands Golf Club, Robina Woods and The Colonial on the Gold Coast; North Lakes in Brisbane; Horizons Golf Resort on the NSW Central Coast; and Club Pelican on the Sunshine Coast. Currently Mike lectures for the PGA International Golf Institute and writes articles on golf operations and other industry topics for Inside Golf, Golf Inc, Asian Golf Business, PGA Magazine and various other publications around the world. (Click to see Mike’s Resume) Contact Mike or (+61) 415 682 259 Articles by Mike Orloff
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Mike Orloff is an Operations and Marketing Specialist with current US and Australian PGA Membership status. He has 20 years of experience with two of the biggest international golf management companies - To read the new Golf Industry Central online magazine look below and click on it to enjoy it in full size.
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