USGA Brings 2017 Golf Innovation Symposium To Canada
The United States Golf Association (USGA) has announced next year’s North American Golf Innovation Symposium on March 6-7 to take place in Vancouver, British Columbia.
The seminar, which will join leaders in sustainable facility management and sport research to trade expertise and advance the game, is the fourth in line hosted by the organization, and the first event ever to be conducted outside of the U.S.
The upcoming symposium reflects the industry body’s latest effort to “serve the game of golf as a knowledge center and information-exchange platform for golf facility operators and owners”. The event also aims to foster relationships where innovative thinking is shared to cultivate a prosperous future for the game.
Supported by Golf Canada and the Mexican Golf Federation, the symposium will centre on how research, science and data can assist golf venues across the world to operate more efficient and coast effective, and ultimately, provide a better experience for their members.
Subsequently, the three main themes discussed at the forum will be: Golfer Experience, Facility Sustainability and Innovation in Governance. The USGA will also reveal research results from its partnership with the University of Minnesota, including the impact of green speed on pace of play.
The two-day convention will see the USGA and other contributing inventors present details of their ongoing work in various sectors of the industry such as resource management, golf operations, facility metrics, pace of play and equipment standards.
“Golf facilities have reduced water consumption, solved problems that cause bottlenecks on the golf course, and introduced programs to welcome more people into our game – simply by learning and sharing best practices discussed at these forums,” said Mike Davis, executive director/CEO of the USGA.
“It’s a significant priority for the USGA to bring these leaders together each year, and foster this kind of innovative thinking.”
Facility benchmarking, insights from the USGA-ASGCA Site Evaluation Program, and ideas for improving the golfer experience, such as flexible course routing and Tee It Forward guidance are other subjects of discussion on the event agenda.
“The challenges facing golf courses transcend borders,” said Scott Simmons, CEO of Golf Canada.
“Like other organizations around the world, we are trying to help our golf community, and we are excited to bring the Golf Innovation Symposium to Canada so we can provide an opportunity for our facility managers to benefit from the knowledge that will be shared.”
Additional details will be made available in the coming months.
For more information about the USGA, visit usga.org
