Direct Dialogue Will Grow Your Business

The current GNN Poll illustrates that respondents see potential for women, ethnic groups and juniors as growth areas for golf.

When we put this poll together, we put an “Other” category in for those who thought there may be another group worth pay attention to, but we thought it would be small percentage of respondents.

Such was not the case as the Other category is receiving a good portion of votes as in the poll, so the question now is who falls into the Other category?

I realize people are sometimes shy about using their names, but I hope some who voted Other will let us know who they had in mind when they made their choice.

I suspect it may be voters who are for the status quo, focusing on the core golfers who already represent a big chunk of their business, but the idea of the poll is to identify groups that represent significant growth of the game.

With Other representing such a good portion of the voting thus far, we would be interested in hearing about groups not mentioned in the poll that may represent significant growth.

As for the other groups such as women, ethnic groups, juniors and seniors, I could pontificate on the requirements and challenges that go along with appealing to each, but my opinion means nothing in that respect.

It’s the people in each demographic whose opinions count most and in order to appeal to each group, it’s best to open a direct dialogue through professional and women’s groups, schools, senior centres and organizations that represent the various ethnic groups in this multicultural country.

Not only is telling them about golf important, but so is listening to them about what would attract them to the game.

We’ll leave the poll up for the weekend, so please continue voting and if you go with Other, please let us know who you mean specifically.

IS IT THAT BIG A DEAL?: I have to admit that I did a double-take upon hearing that Gary Player would receive a lifetime achievement award last week from the National Golf Course Owners Association of Canada at its Golf Business Canada Conference in Vancouver.

My bood pressure, however, didn’t go off the chart as it did with some critics in the media. It’s the NGCOA’s award and they’ll do what they will with it and if there is a problem among that association’s members, it will be dealt with internally.

While I would have personally gone with a Canadian recipient, recognizing a South African in Canada is no different than American actor Woody Harrelson receiving an honourary doctorate from York University in Toronto last month for his work on environmental issues.

Related Posts:

• Grow Golf Through Those Who Don’t Give A Damn
• O Canada Or Woe Canada?
• Where Will Golf Be In 20 Years?
• Industry’s Government Efforts Will Have Consistent/Varied Messages
• How Did Your Course Hold Up?