By Barbara Palmgren
January, 2025, brought a record snowstorm to the Panhandle of Florida while I was in Orlando making a presentation at the annual national golf show.
At the show, I shared a Power Point presentation to discuss the importance of keeping printed material available and in front of the community as well as tourists. Every participant received a copy of FWB Life, Bay Life or Destin Life with a notation of the page where they could read an article about golf in our area. Articles highlighted an area golf course, junior golf tournaments or other special tournaments.
Other printed material was discussed as well with due respect to QR codes that one can scan to locate a course and book a tee time. Watching members of the audience turn the pages of our local papers brought a smile to my face. I had two international golf professionals from Malaga, Spain, who thanked me for putting forward an idea they would bring back to their city.
One new course owner was especially interested in using printed material as well as Apps to market their product. Every community is different, and during the Q & A, ideas were exchanged on marketing golf. Everyone agreed that it’s of strategic importance to promote golf for the next generation and to communicate with members as well as outside public play to get return business. Membership is a key factor for course survival as bills must be paid.
Course managers for larger urban areas appreciated hearing how our area courses support one another. In our county, when one course hosts a daily or weekend tournament, management often recommends another course to a tourist for that day. Golfers appreciate this courtesy and friendly comraderies that are evident along the Emerald Coast.
I was an educational presenter two years ago at this show and was surprised to learn that presentations are more streamlined than ever before. My simple PowerPoint was transposed onto their template. So yes, it looks so much more professional; but no, that’s not me hitting the drive with my hair flying as I hit a drive several hundred yards! Instead, I’m happy to get to the tee box and see if my drive goes straight and at least 100 yards.
