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Monday
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Breakfast was served from 7 until 8:15. A beautiful buffet, with lots of fresh fruit, crepes, and the usual breakfast fare. I met with Bob Dodds, Technical Director of the Professional Clubmakers Society, and we discussed his thoughts on the conference so far, and his upcoming participation as a panel member.
The
first workshop covered getting a set of custom fitted clubs rather than
buying off the
rack. The panel consisted of, from left to right: Moderator, Martin
Kaufmann, Contributing Editor, Maximum Golf Magazine, Todd Harman, Senior
Product Manager, Cleveland Golf, Jeff Sernick, Director of Sales &
Marketing, Wilson Golf, and Bob Dodds, Technical Director, Professional
Clubmakers Society. Each member discussed what their philosophy was
on club-fitting, with each taking a different view. One stated that
you could be fit in about 10 minutes, and only having to take about
four swings.
"You wouldn't
buy a pair of shoes without being properly fitted. Why wouldn't you
do the same with golf clubs?"
Mike Jamison, INGMA
Bob Dodd felt it was much more important to begin with discussing the players goals (more distance, more accuracy), their current game,and their thoughts on their current clubs. Then go in the field and hit 50 or so balls. His process takes about 2 hours to complete, but it encompasses much more, including putter-fitting, woods, grams of weight in the driver, shaft spine alignment, etc. It was a more thorough process, in my opinion. Oddly enough, Mike Jamison was fitted by all three, and their outcomes were relatively close. Regardless of the process, it's worth the time, effort and money to get a custom set of sticks.
The
second seminar was entitled "Is Golf A Growth Market?" The
panel consisted of, from left to 
right:
Jack Bacot, Editor, Golf Business Magazine, Gary Schaal, CEO, TSC Golf,
Art Chou, President, Pixl Golf, and Tiffany Thompson, Manager, Leisure
Travel, Canadian Tourism Commission. The discussion included how Art
Chou was dealing with trying to grow his business as a new club manufacturer.
He noted that the cost of getting into the business is extremely high,
and the distribution channels are very competitive. "All of them
(Ping, Callaway, etc.) were upstarts at one time, and we need to continue
allowing upstarts the opportunity to show their products."
"We need to get
women and juniors to enjoy the game faster and sooner, so they stay."
Gary Schaal, TSC Golf
Also, the current state of golf tourism was discussed, with family travel with golfers age 12-17 being the current hot market. "Leisure travel is not seeing the slowdown effect. Business travel is slowing down," stated Tiffany Thompson. She also pointed out that the Internet is becoming a more important avenue for promoting travel. "It's important for the consumer to be able to book their tee times online ahead of time."
I
participated in the first of the 18-hole scrambles at the Fazio Premier
Course at Treetops
North. Partners included Brian McGinty from IMG, Judy Walsh of Swing
Jacket and Bob Postman, a freelance photographer, and myself. Considering
the best handicap among us was a 16, it is amazing that we tied for
2nd place with a 10 under 62. Everyone contributed, and it was undoubtedly
the best scramble experience I have had, even though it rained off and
on all day. The highlight was Art Chou, founder of Pixl Golf, getting
his first hole in one on the 4th hole, a 143-yard par 3. They were in
the group behind us, and were ecstatic.
Enjoyed
the expo from 8 - 11 p.m. on Monday night. All the associate members
were showing their newest products. Club reps included Pixl Golf, Carbite,
and See More Putters. Other companies included Swing Jacket, Ahead Headgear,
The Perfect Grip, and KINeSYS. ING had set up a sort of survivor knockoff
contest, where each participant went from booth to booth, learned about
each product, then rolled a die, and kept track of the numbers. The
group was pared down to four tribes of four people each. Eventually,
there were only a few players remaining, who then had to answer questions
about the exhibitors and their products. A very entertaining and informational
expo, with Jack O'Leary winning a golf trip for two to the Bahamas.
Tuesday -->
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