Getting more established golfers to play a few more rounds a year could have a huge impact, said M.G. Orender on Saturday. (Photo: The PGA of America)
By John Kim, PGA.com Coordinating Producer
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- One of the most enthusiastic presenters at the Summit was former PGA President M.G. Orender, who directed the attendees to do more to promote the growth of the game -- not just take part in teaching it. He spoke of a new initiative under the Play Golf America program called "Get Golf Ready."
"For PGA Professionals, taking part in Play Golf America programs is no longer a choice, it is an economic necessity," Orender stated.
Orender's talk about the current economic climate and the impact on the future of golf generated heightened interest from the PGA Professionals who base much of their income from consumers' discretionary spending habits.
Orender also stressed the need to grow the game from within established players, not just concentrating on bringing new players into the game.
"If we could get everyone who owns a set of golf clubs to play five more rounds a year, it would impact the industry by over $1.5 billion dollars," he said.
PICTURE THIS: John Barton, an avid golfer from Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., who lost his left arm in an accident more than 20 years ago, took part in a presentation on teaching golfers with special challenges. Barton says his secret was creating a mental visual that still had him grip the club with both hands.
Very impressively, Barton was able to hit many shots that any golfer would be envious of, but provided a moment of levity when he happened to swing and miss one particular shot. His explanation to the gathered instructors, "I took my left hand off the club."
TRIPLE THREAT: The Saturday afternoon sessions were highlighted by the presentations of three of golf's most respected instructors -- in fact, the last three PGA Teachers of the Year: Bill Forrest, Jim Hardy and Martin Hall.
"I don't care how good a teacher you think you are -- if you get a chance to hear Jim Hardy speak, you're going to be better," said Krista Dunton of Berkley Hall Golf Club in Bluffton, S.C., and a PGA Section Teacher of the Year in two different sections.
DEFINING SUCCESS: A few top PGA Professionals shared their thoughts on why they were here at the 2008 Teaching and Coaching Summit.
"We should all, as teachers, reflect on how people learn. PGA Education events such as this are invaluable to us all as teachers of the game because we have the opportunity to take on new ways of learning. Taking this experience back to our own personal lesson tee is the greatest benefit for us as teachers and ultimately, for our students back home." -- Adam C. Smith, PGA, Salisbury Country Club in Salisbury, Md., 2008 Mid-Atlantic Section Teacher of the Year
"You can't judge the success of the Teaching and Coaching Summit until you get back and apply the ideas and enthusiasm you get here and put it into practical use among your students. But with that being said, I'm very confident that when the results come in, it's going to be really impressive." -- Craig Renshaw, PGA Teaching Professional for Lake Winnipesaukee Golf Club in New Durham, N.H.
"You learn so much from coming to something like this, and not just in the presentations, which are incredible, but in going to dinner with top teachers, making conversation in the breaks, making new friends and establishing a connection where you might visit each other's facilities. This is the ultimate gathering of top minds in golf instruction. You have to recognize the opportunities that it presents. -- Kevin Weeks, PGA Director of Instruction, Cog Hill Golf & Country Club in
Lemont, Ill.
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