Symposium to touch upon the challenges faced in the golf industry as
well as issues and concerns brought forth by the most important person in the
golf business - the golfer
Because of increasing concern about the cost of playing the
game of golf, the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA),
PGA of America, National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA) and the
American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA) are excited about the
inaugural West Coast Symposium on Affordable Golf coming to Dairy Creek Golf
Course in San Luis Obispo on March 31 – April 1, 2014.
The Symposium on Affordable Golf originated at Southern
Pines, NC in 2010 under the creation and direction of golf course architect
Richard Mandell of Richard Mandell Golf Architecture. Mandell’s
vision was to raise awareness and understanding of the challenges of the golf
industry through open discussion, exchange of ideas and highlighting successes
that promote the health and sustainability of the game of golf and the business
of golf. “We define the elements of the
game of golf that are most important to golfers and focus on how industry
experts can lead efforts to transform the business of golf into something that
better reflects the tenets of the game,” said Mandell, who has more than 20
years of experience in the golf course design business.
The symposium covers a variety of topics including
affordability, best maintenance practices, golf course playability, pace of
play, player development programs, sustainability and getting back to the roots
and traditions of the game. A few of the
highlighted speakers include Rhett Evans, CEO of the Golf Course
Superintendents Association of America;
Craig Kessler, director of government affairs for the Southern California
Golf Association and Dick Rugge, former senior technical director for the United
States Golf Association.
“The Symposium on Affordable Golf gives not only industry
experts, but everyday golfers the opportunity to present their ideas to assist
in the promotion and sustainability of the game,” said Mandell. “While affordable golf means different things
to different people, and our goal is to show that affordability, profitability
and sustainability are concepts that go hand in hand and apply to the success
of the golf experience for both the end user and the operator.”
“The GCSAA is appreciative of Richard bringing his
successful Symposium on Affordable Golf program to the West Coast,” said Josh
Heptig, Class A golf course superintendent for the San Luis Obispo County and
president of the GCSA of Central California.
“I have had the opportunity to speak and participate in past symposiums
in North Carolina and have come away with numerous ideas to improve not only my
facilities, but the entire game of golf. This is one of the few forums where a
cross-section of golfers and industry professionals can express their ideas
openly with a common goal in mind.”
For more information on the symposium or to register, visit http://centralcaliforniagcsa.com/home/?page_id=52. Seating is limited and registration is on a
first-come, first-serve basis. Members
of GCSAA, the LPGA and the PGA are eligible to receive continuing education
points. Cost of the event is $75 per
person including the seminars, lunch and golf following the second day of
presentations.
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