Conference’s educational sessions help members increase skills, renew enthusiasm for “great business”
CHARLESTON, S.C. (March 2, 2010) – During a 10-year professional career that was cut short by injuries, Ken Venturi won 14 professional events, including the 1964 U.S. Open, but collected less than what most players today make in a single tournament. “But I wouldn’t trade anything in my life,” Venturi said after he was presented the NGCOA’s Lifetime Achievement Award. “If I had to choose to be anyone in the world, I’d choose to be me.”
Venturi’s appearance and heartfelt remarks to a crowd of golf course owners and operators were a highlight of the NGCOA’s Annual Conference held in conjunction with the Golf Industry Show in San Diego. More than 600 golf course owners and operators representing 1,335 courses in the U.S., Europe, Canada, Asia and Australia attended the conference.
The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to the 78-year-old Venturi based on his contributions on and off the course. Following his playing career, Venturi has supported a number of charities and organizations, hosting the Guiding Eyes Golf Classic in New York and raising millions of dollars for the Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital in his native California.
“I once asked Byron Nelson what I could do to repay him for all he had done for me, and he said, ‘Just be good to the game and give back.’ That’s what I’ve tried to do,” Venturi said.
During the ceremony hosted by broadcaster Adam Barr, the NGCOA also recognized Industry Hills Golf Club at Pacific Palms in the City of Industry, Calif., as the 2010 Golf Course of the Year. The association of golf course owners and operators presented the Jemsek Award for Golf Course Excellence to Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio.
The conference also featured more than 20 educational sessions to help members enhance their marketing, technology and asset management skills, as well as better understand the changing mindset and purchasing habits of today’s consumers.
“Members attending the conference walked away not only better prepared to deal with today’s challenges of course ownership and management, but also inspired by their peers,” said Mike Hughes, CEO of the NGCOA. “Being in the company of so many successful owners and operators always renews enthusiasm and reminds us that we’re in a great business.”
The 2011 Annual Conference will be held in Orlando, Feb. 7-11.
About the NGCOA
The National Golf Course Owners Association is the leading authority on the business of golf course ownership and management. The Association represents the key decision makers with ultimate responsibility for golf courses throughout the world. Through advocacy, information resources, purchasing programs and networking opportunities, the NGCOA helps golf course owners and operators run more successful businesses. For more information, visit www.ngcoa.org or call 1-800-933-4262.
Contact:
Bill Bryant
Bryant Marketing Communications
678.366.3232
bbryant@bryantmarcomm.com
Joe Rice
NGCOA
800.933.4262 Ext. 222
jrice@ngcoa.org
