Source: The Guardian (Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island)
The fifth annual Atlantic Golf Symposium takes place Thursday and Friday at Holland College's Tourism and Culinary Centre in Charlottetown.
Third-year students in the Professional Golf Management Program will again be orchestrating and hosting the event.
With its high-caliber of guest speakers and relevant issues, the symposium, which is endorsed by the Canadian Professional Golfers' Association, is designed to attract enthusiasts involved in the golf industry from all over Atlantic Canada, including golf course owners, golf professionals, superintendents, apprentices and recreational golfers.
The theme of this year's symposium is Making Change FORE The Future.
The theme, which will be addressed by the keynote speakers, encompasses the ever-changing golf industry and will cover a wide variety of topics related to the world of golf business.
Headlining the list of guest speakers is Andrew Wood, the president of Orlando's Legendary Marketing.
Wood is considered by many to be a leading expert in the field of golf marketing.
The guest list of speakers for the symposium also includes Bob Cullen, co-author with Dr. Bob Rotella of Golf is Not a Game of Perfect, Sandra Post, former LPGA Tour player, golf broadcaster and World Golf Hall of Fame member, Jeff Hendler, member of PGA, Kevin Haime, owner of Kevin Haime Golf School and former CPGA teacher of the year, Peter Haime, multiple winner of CPGA merchandiser of the year award, and Shawn Williams, environmental technician for Audubon International.
"The Atlantic Golf Symposium is a must for anyone with a stake in the golf business and that the ideas generated from this conference are as valuable to your business as your putter is to your game," said Bob Weeks, editor of Score Magazine.
Paul Murnaghan, co-ordinator of golf programs at Holland College, said the students have done a fantastic job of putting an informative and educational seminar together.
"The symposium is part of the student's curriculum, which puts them in touch with the golf industry and the issues in today's golf environment - they have been involved in every aspect of the organization of this event," said Murnaghan.
"The symposium is a professional development opportunity for industry representatives."
Presentations will focus on a variety of business tips, including marketing, merchandising, golf trends, making your golf course friendly and inviting to the female market, how the media and teaching pros can interact to their mutual benefit and teaching techniques.
Murnaghan said Wood amazed last year's crowd with his knowledge, humor and presentation skills.
"Any person in the world of business would benefit from Andrew's marketing prowess," said Murnaghan.