Page 6 - GBC Fall Eng 2016

Message From The Publisher • Jeff Calderwood
The First Tee
In October 2009, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced that golf would be returning to the Olympics in 2016.
Three weeks later, I enjoyed a very interesting dinner with Gary Player in Vancouver, during our Golf Business Canada Conference & Trade Show. Our conversation included his insights on that Olympic decision. Not only is he quick to share some strong opinions on this topic, but also his direct efforts to influence the IOC in favour of golf’s return. This made his perspective even more compelling.
In a nutshell, Mr. Player strongly believed that golf’s return to the Olympics would be highly valuable to growing the game worldwide. As the “world’s most traveled athlete” to use his own words, he viewed this issue through a very global lens.
Sudden Impact Or Just Hype?
In emerging markets, the media profile and heroic status of golfers competing for their national pride would trigger tremendous new growth in golf. In more mature markets, such as Canada, it would propel our existing success to even greater heights. It was all good, and overdue.
Fast-forward to the present, and we see Mr. Player’s frustration with how things are unfolding: “We all worked hard to get golf into the Olympics. But now, I wouldn’t blame the IOC for kicking golf out of future Games as a result of so many notable players refusing to attend.” Like I said, strong opinions.
So, with all the controversy, health issues, and logistical challenges, but also the excitement of golf’s return, what will the impact of the Olympics be on our golf industry? Our cover story in this edition of Golf Business Canada focuses on that question, as Rick Young engages a dozen golf industry leaders for their personal opinions.
It’s a dynamic discussion, with lots of questions. After 112 years absent, is golf going to win big? Or is it all hype? How well will Rio de Janeiro host the event? Will the missing pros really hurt golf’s comeback? Was the Zika virus truly the deterrent? Does the stroke play format have enough appeal? Should they have included mixed female/male competition? How much will the new course impress? Who will win? What will the TV ratings be? Will funding for golf increase?
I think you will find the opinions in Young’s article both thought provoking and interesting to compare to your own. And, hopefully those who predict a substantial positive impact for Canadian golf turn out to be right.
For the record, I am betting that our best Team Canada success story in Rio will be Brooke Henderson following up George S. Lyon’s 1904 win with another Gold Medal performance for Canada.
She was 11 years old when the announcement of golf in the Olympics was made. “To be an Olympian was always a dream since I was a little girl. I found out golf was coming back into the Games, so I worked my butt off to get onto the team. Hopefully we’ll make Canada proud.” Oh Canada!
And then the biggest boom in women’s golf that Canada has experienced...
Jeff Calderwood, CEO NGCOA Canada jcalderwood@ngcoa.ca
6 Golf Business Canada