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Pouring cold water on the World PGA Alliance
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The golf industry continues to burn around them, but the PGA of America and its follow, I mean fellow, PGA organizations keep pouring water down our backs and tell is that it's raining.
The latest example is the World PGA Alliance - led by the PGA of America - applauding the International Olympic Committee's decision to include golf in the 2016 Summer Olympics.
The Alliance's first formal meeting will be held immediately following the PGA Merchandise Show, Jan. 30-Feb. 2, 2010, in Orlando, Fla., and will include a global symposium on junior golf. That should be riveting.
"This is an exciting time for our sport, and we can see some wonderful things taking place among countries that are eager to build their golf programs and become a part of a future Olympic competition," PGA of America President Jim Remy was scripted to say. "What makes the Alliance's mission so exciting is how PGA Professionals around the world can now complement the growth of the game in territories that previously had limited no access to golf and training."
The "Alliance?'' Sounds like something Darth Vader would lead. That aside, why would the Alliance need the Olympics to do grow the game? That has been the professed mission statement of the PGA for years. I guess the growth of the game now can officially begin because golf is an Olympic sport. Or not. Believe me, not one more golf club or golf ball is now bring sold - or will be sold in the next six years - because golf is in the Olympics.
Nevertheless, here's more water down your back.
"What the Olympic approval means is that every developing golf territory would have support from both the government side and the sporting infrastructure in those countries to promote our sport,'' said PGA of America Chief Executive Officer Joe Steranka.
Where the governments and the sporting infrastructure (whatever that means) will get the monies in these hard economic times, nobody is saying. What the Alliance is saying, however, is that it has failed to to significantly grow the game on its own the past the past few years and is now looking for others to do the job.
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