--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
With the announcement of the 2116 Olympics to include golf for the first time since 1904, implications for Golf on the World-wide stage are staggering! Countries such as China and Korea, two countries who have made huge strides in the game could dominate the sport by the early 2020’s. China is likely to include golf in their All-China Sports Federation, which helped them to dominate the Olympics in many sports since the mid 70’s.
I sat next to Kerry Haigh, Managing Director of Tournaments and Marketing for the PGA of America at the recent PGA Annual meeting. He had some interesting insights as he has served on the exploratory Olympic Golf Committee since its inception.
1) The format will be 72 holes stroke play. They had considered a hybrid Match Play, stroke play event but could not reach a consensus.
2) There will be a Gold, Silver and Bronze winner. They have not decided if or how they will conduct play-offs should there be a tie.
3) Steve Smyers is already building a course outside of Brazil, complete with areas for spectators. Other architects/groups are looking into the area, but time could take way too long to get permits, etc…
4) A major concern is how many spectators will attend? Would you rather watch swimming or Gymnastics in an air conditioned building or schlep to Golf Course where the heat and humidity could be unbearable! And how about the rainy season?!!!!
As the time approaches this writer will do his best to find out what is involved in making the Olympic Comeback of Golf a very interesting phenomena.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Monday, November 9, 2009
Building Relationships through Golf
Most golfers share a common bond of playing different courses from time to time. Whether for pleasure or business the round often involves being paired with someone you don’t know or would like to know better. Thinking back have you ever played with someone who you missed a chance at friendship? Or had a playing partner who could have helped advance your career?
Most likely the answer is yes. Here are a few pointers to help you manage these opportunities.
1) Keep a record of where you play and who you play with. Put it right on your calendar. You can use your calendar’s search function to access the information even years down the road.
2) Take a picture of the group on the first tee. Get the e-mail address of all players the group and e-mail them the picture after the round with a thank you. This is a nice touch and another opportunity to have a record of the round accessible through your e-mail’s search function.
3) Use a keyword phrase for these e-mails. This will help you narrow your search later down the road. My keyword is “Foursome photo” which I include right in the subject of my yahoo e-mail address. Again, this makes your ability to search for past information much easier.
4) Review the information from time to time. At a slow point in your year go back and review all your away and relevant home golf rounds throughout the year by typing in your key word. For important ones you may use the contact information then or make notes and re-send them to yourself as a group. Perhaps you have another picture you can send as a reminder? The more often you review this information the more often important aspects of these relationships will become apparent.
5) Give a unique gift to the foursome when appropriate. A shirt or hat may do, but I like www.customgolfjournal.com/. This unique book can be ordered directly from the website.
The person who receives this book to can save their scorecards neatly in the book by sliding them in a “patented “slit” on the accompanying page. They are also able to record remembrances of their rounds on the opposite page.
You never know when you may use this system to further help a new friendship or to further your career. Or even when you playing partner may use the picture you sent to them to contact you!
Most likely the answer is yes. Here are a few pointers to help you manage these opportunities.
1) Keep a record of where you play and who you play with. Put it right on your calendar. You can use your calendar’s search function to access the information even years down the road.
2) Take a picture of the group on the first tee. Get the e-mail address of all players the group and e-mail them the picture after the round with a thank you. This is a nice touch and another opportunity to have a record of the round accessible through your e-mail’s search function.
3) Use a keyword phrase for these e-mails. This will help you narrow your search later down the road. My keyword is “Foursome photo” which I include right in the subject of my yahoo e-mail address. Again, this makes your ability to search for past information much easier.
4) Review the information from time to time. At a slow point in your year go back and review all your away and relevant home golf rounds throughout the year by typing in your key word. For important ones you may use the contact information then or make notes and re-send them to yourself as a group. Perhaps you have another picture you can send as a reminder? The more often you review this information the more often important aspects of these relationships will become apparent.
5) Give a unique gift to the foursome when appropriate. A shirt or hat may do, but I like www.customgolfjournal.com/. This unique book can be ordered directly from the website.
The person who receives this book to can save their scorecards neatly in the book by sliding them in a “patented “slit” on the accompanying page. They are also able to record remembrances of their rounds on the opposite page.
You never know when you may use this system to further help a new friendship or to further your career. Or even when you playing partner may use the picture you sent to them to contact you!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)