From the Executive Director
Future looks bright for Arizona golf
W
hat lies ahead for golfers in the coming year? We’ve mentioned the future changes
with the World Handicap System, a USGA-driven consolidation of amateur golf associations, and offerings and pricing over the next several years. There’s also a focus on growth and outreach to offer golfers everywhere a better experience for their dollars. Looking forward, the agenda for the AGA and our partner associations is both complex and exciting. I would be completely remiss,
however, if I didn’t reflect back on the Waste Management Phoenix Open, which took place in early February. What has been dubbed the “People’s Open” was indeed that and more. The Thunderbirds have matured the 90-year-old event into one of America’s great celebrations of sport, where the focus is on the enjoyment of golfers and non-golfers alike. Thousands and thousands of people come to the TPC Scottsdale for this event, a happening not unlike the Kentucky Derby or a NASCAR championship. The ‘Birds are flying high these days. Now for this year, we have several
coming efforts worth mentioning. In recognition of the many nonchampionship golfers in the AGA, we are expanding member days, the Tournament Players Club and Senior Series to accommodate the average golfer in a wider variety of playing opportunities. One of our first will be the Member Day at Wickenburg Ranch followed by an “emergency 9” on their L’il Wick par-3 course, which coincidentally has a restaurant/bar in the middle of the holes. You can read all about it in Joe Passov’s article that is published in this issue. The USGA has released its proposed rules changes, which go into effect
10 | AZ GOLF Insider | SPRING 2017
in January 2019, for public comment. We believe many of these changes will make the Rules of Golf easier for players of all abilities to understand. We’re hosting a number of seminars around the state as well as providing webinars. Unlike the rules classes of the past, I can assure you these will be both entertaining and educational. Other items of great significance
also are on tap. The AGA announced last year a restructuring with the idea of reaching out to more golfers throughout the state. That was delayed last fall as the USGA brought associations to a town hall meeting to discuss future efforts to solidify and grow the game. That is sure to create significant changes in what we do and how we do it. Beginning in 2018, the USGA is building an “eco- system” for all golfers with the intention of working with associations, courses and clubs throughout the country connecting through social media and outreach with a data-driven marketing platform open to all. Think of app store open to all with financial benefits to individuals, clubs and courses. This is a major effort by the
USGA to grow the game significantly over the coming years, which we all applaud. The AGA will be part and parcel to the effort. n
By Ed Gowan AZGOLFINSIDER
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OFFICERS PRESIDENT.............................................................................Mike McWilliams 1ST VICE PRESIDENT
.................................................................Bill Burgesser 2ND VICE PRESIDENT
.....................................................................Bill Phipps SECRETARY
................................................................................Bob McNichols TREASURER ........................................................................................Tim Brown
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS Lee Decof, Mark Jeffery, Joe Hickle, Jerry Huff, Tim Hulscher, Ryan Johnson, Mike Kane, Scott McNevin, Judi Polidori, John Souza
AGA STAFF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR....................................................................Ed Gowan ASSISTANT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ....................................Lorraine Thies DIRECTOR OF HANDICAPPING & COURSE RATING.
..............................................................Derek McKenzie CLUB PROGRAMS MANAGER ............................................Michelle Evens DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISING/SPONSORSHIPS
..............Brian Foster* DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING
PARTNERSHIPS........................Chris Montgomery* DIRECTOR OF RULES AND COMPETITIONS
...........Andrew Polonec MANAGER TOURNAMENT OPERATIONS
................Courtney Smyser CHAMPIONSHIP MANAGER ...................................................... .Jim Franko DIRECTOR OF MEMBER AND CLUB RELATIONS
.............Alex Tsakiris MEMBER SERVICES MANAGER
.................................................Liz Durnan COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
............................Joselyn Wojtalewicz ACCOUNTING.......................................................................... Betty Saltzgiver P. J. BOATWRIGHT INTERN .................................................Michael Mason
*Denotes independent contractor
THE AZ GOLF INSIDER STAFF
PUBLISHER.....................................................................................Mark Nothaft EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
.........................................................................Bill Huffman
DESIGNER............................................................................Carl Bezuidenhout AGA EDITOR .................................................................................Lorraine Thies SENIOR EDITOR
................................................................................John Davis REAL ESTATE EDITOR
......................................Gremlyn Bradley-Waddell FOOD EDITOR
................................................................................Carey Sweet GENERAL ASSIGNMENTS .......................................................... Jeff Heisner PHOTO EDITOR .........................................................................Jane Zarzynski SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER
.......................................................Dennis Scully SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER ........................................................Wade Moran CONTRIBUTORS ..........................Ed Gowan, Lorraine Thies, Julie Fenn Scott McNevin, Robyn Noll, Tom Mackin, Joe Passov, Cori Matheson ADVERTISING ACCOUNT MANAGER ................................Ryan Chackel ADVERTISING GRAPHIC DESIGNER
........................................Steve Copas For magazine inquiries,
backspinmediagroup@gmail.com
BACKSPIN MEDIA GROUP
PRESIDENT.......................................................................................Bill Huffman GENERAL MANAGER
................................................................Mark Nothaft
BackspinMediaGroupUSA@gmail.com
AZ GOLF Insider, is published four times a year by the Arizona Golf Association. It
is supported by members’ dues, utilizing $3 per
member per year. We welcome all editorial submissions, including letters, but assume no responsibility for the loss or damage of unsolicited material. They will not be returned unless accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Views expressed within these pages do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors or official policies of the Arizona Golf Association. No part of this magazine is intended as an endorsement of any equipment, publication, videotape, golf course or other entity. No part of this magazine may be reproduced for use as an advertising, publicity or endorsement item without written approval of the AGA. AZ GOLF Insider is offered on a subscription basis for $12.95 annually. Individual copies may be obtained by forwarding $5 to the address below.
Arizona Golf Association 7600 E. Redfield Rd., Suite 130 Scottsdale, AZ 85260 (602) 944-3035 (800) 458-8484 In-State Line
www.azgolf.org
www.azgolf.org
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