The Golf Courses at Incline Village, Nev., are known for its portfolio of programs to introduce golf to a wide range of area residents, including women, juniors, couples and families. The acceptance and success of these programs have earned the Incline Village Golf Courses the 2009 National Golf Course Owners Association’s Player Development Award.
Since 2005, the Golf Courses at Incline Village have implemented ten player development programs. “There isn’t one magic bullet that is going to bring more players into golf,” says Cathy Jo Johnson, Director of Golf at the Championship Course. “It’s a combination of a lot of things, which is what we’ve tried to do here.”
Incline Village’s “Golf in the Schools” program introduces more than 300 students to golf on a weekly basis each year. The program’s success led to its expansion to the local Boys and Girls Club. Among the program’s participants are children who might not be exposed to golf because of their family’s financial situation. Incline Village’s junior program offers scholarships and financial assistance to young players who want to learn the game at its award-winning practice facility during the summer. The number of juniors participating in the program has doubled in the last three years as has the number of girls participating on the local high school golf team.
In addition to its junior activities, the Golf Courses at Incline Village host a number of player development programs for busy professionals, senior women and couples looking to find a hobby to enjoy together. One of its more creative programs is Nine and Wine, which combines nine holes of golf with a wine tasting and networking reception for busy professionals. Nine and Wine is credited with adding more than 1,400 rounds in the last three seasons.
There are also programs aimed at women who want to become more active in the game, working men and couples. For families that want to play together, Incline Village has added new sets of forward tees that shorten the holes for beginners and youngsters. Johnson said, “The key is to make sure people are having fun.”
The National Golf Course Owners Association is the leading authority on the business of golf course ownership and management. The Association represents the key decision makers with ultimate responsibility for golf courses throughout the world. Through advocacy, information resources, purchasing programs and networking opportunities, the NGCOA helps golf course owners and operators run more successful businesses.
The Golf Courses at Incline Village include the Mountain Course and the Championship Course. For more information about The Golf Courses at Incline Village, please visit www.golfincline.com or call 877-468-4397. For any information regarding this release, please contact Kayla Anderson at 775-832-1120.
