GIS 2011 -- Notes, news and more
While the first day of the 2011 Golf Industry Show is just getting underway, there was a lot of action in and around ground zero yesterday.
Here are some tidbits from ground zero:
True dedication
He may have gotten into Orlando at 1 a.m., Jeff Plotts wasn't going to miss his speaking engagement at the Seed Research of Oregon luncheon yesterday. Remember, the superintendent's course -- TPC Scottsdale -- had only been hosting the Waste Management Phoenix Open, which had extended into a playoff on Monday.
Seed prices
Seed Research of Oregon's Executive Vice President/General Manager, Bill Dunn, says beware of elevated seed prices this season. Apparently, a grower's emphasis on wheat has left less field space for turf seed cultivation.
Changing the business of golf
GCSAA's Rhett Evans and PGA of America's Earnie Ellison introduced a golf industry effort to grow the game of golf through the inclusion of minority- and women-owned businesses and suppliers.
Ellison offered some intriguing statistics on how this initiative could help increase the number of players. According to census data, the minority population is expected to grow from 109.4 million to 235.7 million by 2050. Currently, according to PGA data, there are an estimated 7.7 million minority golfers, a number that is predicted to grow to 16.5 million by 2050.
"This represents tremendous growth opportunities for our industry," Ellison says. "Three percent growth in minority participation of those interested in playing golf could lead to an estimated $11.9 billion in incremental spending by 2014.
"We need to become more conscious of how these (minority- and women-owned) companies are and what they can do for your facility," he adds.
Champion advice
GCSAA presented the 2011 Old Tom Morris Award to World Golf Hall of Fame member Nick Price. But prior to Price receiving the accolade Tuesday night, Price sat down with GCI for a few minutes to talk about how superintendents can maintain a championship mentality.
"There isn't a blade of grass on a course that a superintendent doesn't know," he says. "Knowing your course is like knowing your game. You know what your limits are, know when to role the dice and you know what your bread and butter is. Stick to that knowledge.
"The great superintendent has a good feel for the timing of his course -- it's a real feel thing," he adds. "Superintendents need to trust their instincts more."