LAKE MARY, FL (Dec. 10, 2012) – Billy Casper Golf, Butch Harmon’s Harmon’s Heroes Foundation and The Western Amateur are the three finalists in Tournament Services Category of the 20th Annual ING Industry Honors awards program.
Called by some the “Academy Awards of the golf industry,” the ING Industry Honors program is conducted by the non-profit International Network Of Golf to recognize outstanding achievement in 12 categories of the golf business. Holly Geoghegan of Golf Marketing Services and The Golf Insiders radio show is the committee chair.
Over a dozen nominations in this category came to ING from all across the golf industry. A sub-committee vote narrowed the list to the final three. Winners in this and 11 other categories will be decided by a vote of the ING membership next month, and announced at the Industry Honors Presentation Press Conference January 25 at 12:30 p.m. at Orlando’s PGA Merchandise Show in ClubING, Room 309.
The International Network Of Golf is a non-profit, media-based networking organization whose mission since 1990 has been to enhance and promote communication and education in golf. Membership is open to anyone in the golf industry, related industries and media. “ING is where media and the golf industry connect.”
The three finalists in this category:
Billy Casper Golf hosted 7,906 golfers at 100 of its courses in 24 states on August 13 and raised more than $400,000 for Wounded Warrior Project during the second annual “World’s Largest Golf Outing.” The simultaneous golf outing included participation of more than 85 wounded warriors. Launched in 2011, this year’s World’s Largest Golf Outing player registration and fundraising grew by 250% and 700%, respectively.
Harmon’s Heroes Foundation – Wounded combat veterans often lose their homes due to injuries and financial hardships. This addresses that issue. A fund-raising golf tournament on 2011 Veterans Day at Rio Secco in Las Vegas raised $196,000, which to date has assisted two veterans in acquiring homes. This has become an annual event, and along with the dollars raised, wounded veterans are treated like royalty throughout the weekend.
The Western Amateur, conducted by the Western Golf Association, is truly a grueling test – with 72 holes of stroke play followed by four rounds of match play. The WGA has been a classy organization, upholding the traditions of the game since 1899. And they run the Chick Evans Caddie Scholarship, which allows hard-working caddies a chance to earn a college degree.
ING exists to bring golf media together with representatives from all walks of the golf industry to discuss issues, exchange information and improve communication. The group, which was formed 23 years ago, hosts the annual ING Spring Conference in May. Educational seminars, product testing, an appointment show and networking opportunities highlight schedule.
The next gathering for ING is at the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando Jan. 24-26, 2013. ClubING (Room 309) will be open all day for members and their guests, with morning coffee, Happy Hour cocktail parties with celebrity guests and entertainment, and prizes and giveaways.
For more information regarding ING, call 407-328-0500 or visit www.inggof.com.
Contact:
Michael W. Jamison
mike@jamisongolf.com
407-328-0500, ext. 1
