Donald MacKay the President at the Muskoka Highland Golf Links in Bracebridge Ontario has a newsletter on LinkedIn called “Life in the Golf Business”. I was reading his latest issue – “If I had a Crystal Ball”. I would like to share a few of his comments and quotes.
“I always like to have solutions to any problems before I chat with anyone about the problem. Comes from the old adage “Don’t give me problems, give me solutions!”.
The golf industry needs to be tuned up to focus on the large base of people who play the game for fun, and not for money.
To quote Peter Kostis :
“I’ve consistently said that players who are paid to play are not the game of golf. Golfers who pay to play are the game of golf. The so-called guardians of the game need to always remember this. If pro golf worldwide disappears tomorrow, there will still be golf and golfers.”
Too many of these guardians take you the player for granted. And this is a problem for them – not for you. You have voted that these guardians are irrelevant to your game because you do not join their associations. You play golf fore all the right reasons. Perhaps there is no need for any guardian.
But my solution would be to give you the player a voice in the game of golf.
There are many bright minds in the golf world that would be able to develop concepts and programs to keep the golf industry “in a good place” as many of the “guardians” are trumpeting today, with better foresight into tomorrow and beyond.
This should lead to a sport that is recognized for what it truly is – an activity that promotes mental and physical health. A sport that has a positive presence in the public eye – one that teaches life lessons of fiscal morals and honest participation. And a guardian who does what is best even when nobody is looking.
An association that needs no castle for a headquarters – a simple office somewhere will work just fine.
Let the tear-down begin. Golf is ready fore a fresh new guardian.
