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PHOTO:From left: GCI's Bruce Williams, GCI International's Mike Sebastian, Jacobsen's golf market guru in Asia Alan Prickett and GCI's Pat Jones.
On the heels of the first issue of GCI International, GCI's globetrotting duo Pat Jones and Bruce williams have embarked on a fact-finding tour through Asia this week. Pat has been sending updates via his Twitter and Facebook accounts, but for those of you not following him via social media, here are some of his recent dispatches.
***5/17/2012***
Another productive and interesting day in Singapore. Most notably, spent several hours with Kok Min Yee, the superintendent/general manager of Tanah Merah CC. He is a remarkable man whose operational talents would be envied by the finest superintendents in the U.S. or anywhere. As strongly as we believe that information and education is needed by Asian superintendents, Min Yee taught me that there is much to be learned from them as well. I'm honored to say that, after some gentle arm twisting, he agreed to join our team as an author. More to come soon about other notable experts who will be lending their insights to the pages of GCI International.
***5/17/2012***
Got a great download from Alan Prickett, Jacobsen's golf market guru in Asia, at lunch yesterday along with Bruce Williams and Mike Sebastian. Key finding: the issues facing golf in most Asian countries aren't that different than the U.S. How do we get more people to play? How do you overcome competition for time? How do you revive courses associated with failed residential developments? Half a world away but the problems sound like home.
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***5/17/2012***
Another day dawns in Singapore. The hospitality here is just spectacular and the people are amazing. Tremendously impressed with our young, energetic team working here on GCI International. So grateful to have talented, passionate people on both side of the planet focused on a common goal: to help grow the game and advance professional turf management worldwide.
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***5/16/2012***
Singapore is one of the most seductive places on earth. Yes, the hotel is marvelous but the people here are amazing. And lunch with Alan Prickett of Jacobsen was worth the trip. Beginning to get a hint of what GCI International can do in Asia, but pretty sure it's going to require lots more fact-finding junkets to completely figure out. :0)
Dinner was a Giant Lazy Susan affair featuring many kinds of sea critters that still had their heads and eyeballs and such. Amazing food and I ate way too much again. The only reason I can think of why everyone here isn't enormously fat here is that it's humid enough to sweat the tattoos off of Dennis Rodman.
***5/15/2012
Woke up to a hazy sunrise in Singapore to find a golf course out my window.