Annual Golf Summit Offered Unique Perspectives
The Millennial Generation could be the next large group of golf club members, according to speaker Frank Vain, president of the McMahon Group, at the New Jersey State Golf Association’s seventh Golf Summit on Wednesday, April 5, at Galloping Hill Golf Course in Kenilworth.
Vain, who provides consulting and planning services for golf clubs, was one of four speakers at the annual conclave which kicks off the New Jersey golf season. The event was sponsored by Punzone’ Organic Italian Vodka.
He was joined by Brad D. Steele, vice president of government relations and general counsel for the National Club Association, Peter Mele, vice president and executive director of the 2017 President’s Cup to be played this fall at Liberty National G.C. in Jersey City, and Shannon Rouillard, director of the U.S. Women’s Open, which will be played this summer at Trump National G.C. in Bedminster.
Some 80 attendees from New Jersey clubs and associations and NJSGA members, officials and volunteers were in attendance
“The Gen X generation is about half the size of the Baby Boomers. The Millennials are 80 million people ages 18 to 35, so the potential supply of club members will be ramping up over the next 10-to-15 years and that’s good news for clubs,” said Vain, who addressed the topic “Trendwatch: Modern Lifestyles, Golf and Club Member Attraction.”
Among his remarks, Vain said there are currently 24 million golfers, down six million from 2002-3; that the golf population has shrunk from 10 percent to eight percent of the population, and that people under the age of 50 are playing 40 percent less rounds than they did in 1985.
He also stated that 40 percent of the people who come to the golf club do not play a round of golf, instead focusing on lessons, practice and meeting friends. Vain said the new approach to golf clubs includes upgraded practices areas; pro outreach to drive play; new innovative programs, especially for women; building strong junior programs, and making golf fun.
“The club of the future will be a place to hang out and enjoy the company of fellow members. There will be something for everyone and it will serve the entire family. There is a dramatic demographic change in the U.S. Golf is great based on its timeless nature,” Vain said. “The golf club of the future is a place with lots to do.”
Steele addressed “Government matters: 2017 Update.” Steele helped inform club professionals about the legislative and regulatory measures that are now in place and how to comply with them. He also discussed the impact pending federal legislative and regulatory measures will have on the golf industry
He feels the election of Pres. Donald Trump and a Republican dominant Congress is good for golf.
“The positive thing is we have is every opportunity to really move pro-golf legislation due to the election of President Trump. The bad news is we need to get those members of congress who are pro-golf to remember they are in charge and to hold the line and move bills. They just have to stay solid,” said Steele, who is based in Washington, D.C.
Mele and Rouillard each brought along the symbolic trophies of the respective championships being held this year in New Jersey, The Presidents Cup and the U.S. Women’s Open, and showed short videos of the upcoming events.
The Golf Summit, conducted in collaboration with the New Jersey PGA Section, the New Jersey Club Managers Association, the Golf Course Superintendents Association of N.J., and the New Jersey Golf Course Owners Association, is considered the premier event in the state for networking and discussing hot-button topics among those in the golf industry.
