Leaving Las Vegas

With the 2012 Golf Industry Show in the rear view mirror there is plenty to reflect on....

Mood ring
              The overall mood seems to be is the golf business is turning the corner but it won't take much to push things in the wrong direction again. Lots of concerns with the lack of snow in the East and Mid West leading into the possiblity of a drought to start out the year. The growth of management companies seems to be filling the void on courses that finacially are struggling to survive. It will be an interesting 2012!

Lost in translation
              I was really interested in how many attendees at the 2012 GIS were from places outside the USA. As we all know the growth of golf in the states has come to almost a complete halt but there is still some growth in other places around the world. I know just from the tone of the Toro Business Meeting (which is now refered to as the World Wide Business Meeting), that the opportunity to drastically grow the golf business can only be done by growing globally.


Philanthropy golf industry style
              Mr. Ken Melrose, retired CEO of the Toro Company, made a $1,000,000 donation to the Environmental Institute for Golf under the Kendrick B. Melrose Family Foundation.
The EIFG is the philanthropic organization of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, and has as its mission to foster sustainability through research, awareness, education, programs and scholarships for the benefit of golf course management professionals, golf facilities and the game.
WOW! If you are not familiar with Mr. Melrose, he is one of the key figures in the Toro Company's success over the past 25 years. Everyone I have ever had a conversation with from Toro has always had high praise for his time as the head of the company.

Vegas Baby
              There was a lot of concern about how much traffic would be on the floor from the vendor end. I saw most of the guys from my area. Were some guys a little short on time, sure but that happens each year. As always, there were some good stories of some late nights and good laughs but as the saying goes "What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas".

WJC