ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, FL – (April 5, 2006) – Nothing sparks debate in golf like the subject of course architecture. One player’s beauty is truly another player’s beast. Like a course or hate a course, more than likely every player has an opinion. We are all closet golf course designers.
How is that a problem for the golf industry? Is design an art or a science? Pinehurst, N.C.-based architect Richard Mandell tackles the subject of the popularity of golf course architecture as the leader of one of the 20 topics being discussed at the ING Spring Conference’s Communications Breakfast 101.
The 16th Annual ING Spring Conference is set for the Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen, N.C. area May 21-25. It is conducted by the non-profit International Network Of Golf, which is open to anyone in the media or golf industry.
The topics breakfast will be Tuesday morning, May 23 at the Country Club of Whispering Pines. The architect subject promises to be a popular one.
Says Mandell, "The profession of golf architecture has slowly evolved into a world of glamour and celebrity. More and more, a "name" is more important that a product. As this path has been paved by the golf industry, has it done more damage than good? As more and more of the public sees architecture as an art, the effect of this viewpoint is one that costs a lot of money to maintain, both in perception and in real dollars from a day to day operations standpoint. As a result, the game has become too expensive for the masses and the industry is at a crossroads regarding the future of golf as a business."
Attendees can choose that subject or one of 19 others as a discussion topic at the Communications 101 Breakfast. Other topics include "Planning Your Financial Future;" How To Get A Book Published;" "How To Work With Regional Media;" "Advertising 101;" "Let Fashion Coverage Bring Revenue To Your Magazine;" "How To Pitch Your Story To A Magazine;" "The Changing World Of E-Mail Marketing;" and many more.
The Communications 101 Breakfast is just one element of an action-packed ING schedule.
The ING One-On-One Appointment Show, a four-hour series of business meetings between representatives of media outlets and golf businesses, will again be one of the highlights of the conference. It was created to place an emphasis on business relations between the media and golf companies, resorts, destinations and entrepreneurs.
Educational workshops include: "Marketing Into The Future;" "The Future Of Golf;" "Working With The Media;" "The Edge Of Technology," "PR Of The Future;" and the "Publishers Roundtable." There will also be a Demo Lab for testing products on the range and green, several golf events, the ING Media Awards Banquet and other networking opportunities.
The Demo Lab will serve as a three-hour stage for new product offerings and club-testing on the practice range for 30 equipment companies and attendees.
The recently renovated Comfort Inn of Pinehurst is the main hotel for the conference, joining National Golf Club and the Country Club Of Whispering Pines in hosting this annual gathering of media and industry leaders.
The refurbished Country Club of Whispering Pines will host all the ING Spring Conference morning activities, including the One-On-One Appointment Show, educational seminars and breakfasts. Also, the two Ellis Maples-designed golf courses will host three of the five golf outings.
The National Golf Club serves as headquarters for the ING Spring Conference. Conference registration, the Sunday Kickoff Golf event, the ING Demo Lab and all nightly functions will be hosted at this private club, which features some of the most beautiful grounds in all of the Sandhills, and a Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course.
The other golf event, the International Pairs World Finals Qualifier, will be conducted on Wednesday May 24 at one of the region’s most famous golf courses, Tobacco Road. Winners from this two-player team net points event will represent the USA and ING in the International Pairs World Finals Aug. 9-12 at Celtic Manor in Wales. Tobacco Road is a Mike Strantz design that is nationally ranked and extremely challenging.
If you would like to reserve a room at one of the three specific properties described above, do so quickly, as the staff is filling the rooms first come, first served.
A full schedule of events, an entry form and other information can be found at www.inggolf.com/. Register now for the best choices. For more information, call 407-328-0500.
Contact:
Mike Jamison
407-328-0500
mike@jamisongolf.com
