We are about to embark, as an industry, on a really important month.
No, it’s not October, it’s GOLF MONTH – an initiative that I reach out to you, the golfer, to help espouse.
The majority of you who read these words are already golfers.
You know the thrill of nailing that putt to beat your mate on the final hole; the serene beauty of a breathless morning as the sun rises over your favourite course; the joy of sharing the stories of your round back in the clubhouse.
Well, part of GOLF MONTH is for you to share just how special those moments can be with those in your life who’ve thought about golf, but never taken that next step.
They might be in your office, your footy or netball club, your school canteen – anywhere.
The important thing is to get them to a golf facility and give them that exposure to a game you know is great for so many reasons.
You’ll notice I didn’t say golf club, or course – these days there are many more alternatives, such as urban golf, foot golf, speed golf, driving ranges, other practice facilities and a whole new range of golf simulators.
As a collective of golfers, I urge you to get a friend along to any of these facilities – and to ask that you and your clubmates give your utmost effort to make them feel at home, relaxed and want to come back.
Let’s face it, it’s something we haven’t done well collectively for a long time. The traditional club set-up has the potential to be intimidating to many who’ve privately yearned to give golf a crack.
GOLF MONTH is partly about putting that right. It’s about a sport that can mean different things to different people, not just the traditional outlook, time constraints or locations.
It’s about participation and inclusion for ANYONE who wants to try – or get back into – golf.
To that end, we’ve even got a money-can’t-guy prize at the Emirates Australian Open at The Australian Golf Club in Sydney in November for an existing member who introduces a new member to their facility.
Full details are on the website, www.golfmonth.com.au, but with a spot in the pro-am, tickets to the Golf Australia Club and an inside-the-ropes access, suffice to say it’s an experience of a lifetime.
In short, help us spread the GOLF MONTH word.
Every level of golf will benefit with an infusion of new blood. We’re trying to do our bit; we’d love if you pitched in, in more ways than one!