MGN ON THE ROAD

Frankenmuth
Michigan Golf Course Owners Assocication Annual Conference

The world of Michigan golf took its annual breather this week as the Michigan Golf Course Owners Association held its annual conference at Frankenmuth's Bavarian Lodge. As conferences go, this was a tap in for a birdie.

The Bavarian Lodge was a marvelous facility for the conference, offering excellent lodging, superb meeting space and an indoor putting course that provided a terrific backdrop for networking.

The MGCOA represented by President Tom Schwark and the MGCOA Board, Executive Director Kate Moore and her staff and consultant John Dodge, have given the association some valued leadership. This has become THE go to golf conference in Michigan.

This year, 35 vendors showed up in support of the Association, by far the biggest turnout yet. Kapnick Insurance, 5/3 Merchant Services, Weingartz Supply, US Golf Cars/Club Car, Pepsi Cola, CNA Commerical Insurance, ParView,Inc., Up Link Corp, Boylan Sales, Jancess Software, Valley Crest Golf Maintenance, John Deere Landscapers, Pinnacle Insurance Partners, Proink, Crusecom Technology Consultants, League Boss, Raven Golf Ball Company, Golf Marketing Services, Gordon Food Service, Eagle Golf Solution, MSU Turfgrass/Environmental Stewardship, Smyth Systems, Fore! Reservation, McKay Golf Properties, Spartan Distributors, Rain Bird Corporation, Golf US.com, Michigan Brewing Company, Sysco Food Services, Michigan Golfer Magazine and Television,Taylor Freezer, Ellis Sales, Inc., Hanidcomp, On-Time Golf, Torre & Brugilio, Flow-Rite Controls, Integrated Business Systems, Inc. PHN Architects, US Golf Cars, Vermont Systems and the Governor's Council on Physical Fitness were all on hand.

This year's conference theme was "The Golf Puzzle: Putting All The Pieces Together" The panelists who made sure that all the pieces of the puzzle were there included, Greg Lyman, MSU Turfgrass Environmental Education Specialist, Kurt Kraly, Territory Sales manager with Club Car, Robb Dillinger, CGCS, Jennie McCafferty, CIO of Great Lakes Sports Publications, Inc., Jim Szilagyi, a representative of ParView, Inc., Sean Cripe, co-founder of Golf US, John Dodge, partner R.O.I Golf Management and MGCOA consultant, Jim Bailey, VP of International Club Suppliers, Jim Jeltema, golf course owner of Clearbrook, Sandy Mily, GM of Fox Hills GC, Randy Prichard, General Sales Manager of Gemini Corp, Bill Fountain, R.O.I Golf Management, Jeff Hoag, Scott Lake Country Club and Kevin Frisch, Golf Marketing Services.

Michigan Golfer TV will feature the conference on our December 14th show.

MICHIGAN GOLFER TV SHOW-AN ENCORE VISIT TO THE PRESERVE

UMLEX BECOMES SKYH CREATIVE:DIFFERENT NAME SAME MISSION

THE ULTIMATE GOLF CALENDAR

World renowned photographer Larry Lambrecht announces the arrival of his new 2003 collection in time for the holiday gift giving season. The Emerald Gems collection are the first fine art prints produced on the world famous golf venues of Ireland. Portraying the mood of Ireland's seaside links as never before, these limited edition prints are produced on Arches watercolor paper, signed and numbered by the artist himself. A truly spectacular gift for the discriminating golfer.

The artist's time spent traveling the world photographing the best of the best golf has to offer has led him to a unique collaboration with the notable architect Rees Jones. For over four years, Larry has captured the character, the form, the complexity and unique nature of Rees Jones' courses on film. Now these exclusive images are being made available in the 2003 Rees Jones US Open calendar-featuring Bethpage Black and Torrey Pines as the new Open venues open to the public.

WORLD GOLF FOUNDATION REPORT ESTIMATES U.S. GOLF ECONOMY AT $62 BILLION

The golf economy in the United States is significant, accounting for more than $62 billion worth of goods and services in the year 2000, according to independent research institute SRI International. The World Golf Foundation, sponsor of the GOLF 20/20 initiative to grow the sport, sponsored this first-ever estimate of the overall scope of the golf economy to provide a framework for monitoring the long-term growth of the industry.

"This report clearly indicates the golf industry's importance to the U.S. economy," said Ruffin Beckwith, World Golf Foundation's senior vice president. "It also serves as a measure of the progress of the industry's efforts to grow interest in the game and to meet our target of having 55 million participants by the year 2020."

Over the past 15 years, the golf industry has grown substantially, far outpacing inflation, and is expanding in a manner consistent with the most optimistic projections made by the National Golf Foundation in the late 1980s. When compared to sales in other industries, the golf industry, at $62 billion, fares well. For example, the motion picture and sound recording industry measured approximately $57.8 billion in 2000, and the amusement, gambling, and the recreation industry measured about $55.9 billion, according to government census data.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK-GENE SARAZAN

"Golf has never had a showman like him. All the professionals that have have the chance to go after the big money today should say a silent thanks to Walter Hagen each time they stretch a check between their fingers. It was Walter who made professional golf what it is." Gene Sarazen

GOLF CALENDAR

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