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In hindsight, I should have known it was folly for me to try to meet with World Golf Foundation's Steve Mona on Wednesday at GIS about National Golf Day 2015. We were both hopelessly behind schedule and what should have been a thoughtful hour-long conversation turned into 12 frantic minutes in the hallway. And my notes from the meeting look like I was typing with two fat thumbs on my iPhone without my glasses on (which is exactly what happened). So much for responsible journalism.
So, instead of actual reporting, I’ll fall back on what I know about my old boss to make the best of our short time and my lousy reporting skills. Here’s what I know about Steve. He always has three things to say. Here’s what I think they were:
- The “grow the game” initiatives are getting traction. Get Golf Ready and other programs (http://www.golf2020.com/) are having an impact and, most importantly, facilities are getting creative about how they execute and promote their own programs. Superintendents simply should “be aware of the initiative their facility supports and find a role in helping,” says Mona
- The First Tee continues to rock but, at some point, many participants outgrow the learning centers and need access to other courses. “Just because you aren’t a First Tee facility doesn’t mean you can’t reach out and find ways to help and support the program.”
- National Golf Day 2015 is April 15 and every superintendent can help. How, you ask? By communicating the simple key messages that We Are Golf has developed (http://wearegolf.org/capitol-hill/national-golf-day/). For many, the best way to do that is via social media and Mona’s organization has plenty of fodder for you to use here (http://wearegolf.org/social-media/national-golf-day/).
Here are a few examples of the key facts you should be sharing via social media, your facility website or any other opportunity you have this week:
Downloadable #NGD15 Graphics (click)
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-- Includes infographics, NGD-themed social media images and videos
Suggested social media posts for before and during NGD15. For example:
Golf is a nearly $70B U.S. industry, supporting 2
million jobs w/ an annual wage income of $55.6B.
http://bit.ly/1m367RR #NGD15 @wearegolf
9 of 10 golfers play public #golf courses. Are you 1
of them? http://bit.ly/1m367RR #GolfisAccessible
#NGD15 @wearegolf
90+% of acreage on 18-hole #golf courses is considered
green space w/ benefits to eco-system. http://
bit.ly/1m367RR #RealFacts #NGD15 @wearegolf
Steve is leading the NGD15 team on Capitol Hill this week, but plenty of superintendents (including our friend Darren Davis) will be there too. It’s an awesome opportunity for them – and for you – to tell a positive story about golf. Be a part of it!