GOLF JOINS FORCES FOR FLOOD RELIEF

Following the devastating floods which have left a trail of destruction in Queensland, the Golf Industry will be rallying around to support those affected via the Golf Industry Flood Disaster Relief Fund.

The fund will be coordinated by Golf Australia and has been set up in conjunction with and through the support of a range of industry bodies including Golf Queensland, the PGA of Australia, Australian Ladies Professional Golf (ALPG), Australian Golf Course Superintendents Association, Golf Management Australia, Australian Sporting Goods Association and the Society of Australian Golf Course Architects.

Golf organisations and clubs are asked to assist where possible in any way they can whether that be making a direct donation, asking for a donation from players at your club, donating competition fees during a day or week or running special fundraising days.

There is no doubt every little bit will count towards the enormous recovery work that lies ahead. In 2009 the Australian golf industry raised $675,000 for the victims of the Victorian Bushfires.

At this point in time, at least 12 golf clubs have been affected by the surging floodwaters which now extend into northern New South Wales. Golf Queensland is currently conducting an audit of the damage sustained by clubs and hopes to have some detailed data within a few days. Based on initial advice we do believe there will be a number of clubs that face an immense financial burden in the coming months.

Donations to the Golf Industry Flood Disaster Relief Fund will be distributed in two important areas based on instructions:

The Premier's Flood Relief Appeal to assist affected families and communities

Golf Club Fund Relief Appeal to assist clubs to rebuild and repair the damage caused by the floods.

To ensure that contributions made to the Golf Industry Flood Disaster Relief Fund effort are identified and acknowledged, it is requested that donations be direct deposited via the account details below or forwarded to Golf Australia (lev 3, 95 Coventry St, South Melbourne VIC 3205). A form is also attached for your convenience.

Golf Industry Flood Disaster Relief Fund: BSB 083 155 Account No. 188884628

Golf Link is offering to provide (at no cost) to Golf clubs an ability to conduct their Qld Flood relief charity day online through the Golf Link website.
This allows all of the proceeds go to the fund.
Clubs just need to forward the details of the charity day to Golf Link to Jon Perkins - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it who will place it on the GL site for people to book and pay online.

Sept 2010 Rounds Report Released

Over the 12 month period to end September 2010 total club member rounds played in formal club

competitions, when measured on a like club basis, have grown by approximately 5% over the

comparable 12 month period, totalling 11.63 million rounds. On a YTD 2010 basis, rounds played to

date total 8.8 million and should 2009 numbers be met for the remainder of year, total competition

rounds played in 2010 will likely reach 11.63 million, a 3% increase over 2009 and a some 10% over

2008.

Over the 12 month period to end September 2010 total club member rounds played in formal club competitions, when measured on a like club basis, have grown by approximately 5% over the comparable

12 month period, totalling 11.63 million rounds. On a YTD 2010 basis, rounds played to date total 8.8 million and should 2009 numbers be met for the remainder of year, total competition rounds played in 2010 will likely reach 11.63 million, a 3% increase over 2009 and a some 10% over 2008.

Click here to read the report

AGIC releases Aust golf industry economic report

The Australian Golf Industry Council (AGIC), has just released The Australian Golf Industry Economic Report: 2010. The report, which is now available through the AGCSA website or by clicking on the link below, shows that the Australian golf industry continues to make a significant contribution to the Australian economy – some $2.9 billion – and creates full-time employment for over 23,000 people. The report, when compared with other Australian sports, indicates that the Australian golf industry is one of the biggest, if not the biggest, competitive participant sport within Australia based both on participation levels and also its economic contribution.

The independent report has been undertaken by Ernst & Young on behalf of the AGIC and highlights the broad range and diversity of the golf industry and its importance as a key sector of the Australian economy. Not only does it cover the people, equipment and events traditionally associated with the sport of golf, but it also highlights other important economic aspects of the golf industry including golf course investment, the value of golf related to charity, construction and maintenance, golf related real estate and the value of hospitality and tourism associated with golf.

The report can be found on the AGIC website or click here to download a copy.

AGIC incorporation significant step for Golf Industry

The Australian Golf Industry Council (AGIC) has taken yet another step forward in its endeavor to further both the political and commercial objectives of the Australian Golf Industry by becoming a fully incorporated body it announced today.

The motion to incorporate was supported unanimously by all parties at the AGIC meeting held at Medway Golf Club on October 7, 2010, and precedes the AGIC delegation’s upcoming visit to Canberra where for the second consecutive year they will lobby key government representatives on behalf of the entire Australian Golf Industry.

The move to incorporate is an important step forward for the Council that was originally established in September 2006 as an unincorporated not-for-profit partnership between the key industry administrators and membership organisations.

As the Chair of the AGIC, Max Garske, CEO of the PGA of Australia, said that the incorporation of the Council will allow for greater recognition while also allowing the group to pursue key projects in a more efficient and coordinated manner.

“The AGIC has already proven its value to the Australian Golf Industry by demonstrating the benefits of speaking with one voice.” said Garske.

“The entire industry recognises the way forward for golf is to continue to pursue the AGIC’s objectives and its underlying projects and our incorporation is a major step forward in this ongoing process.”

Tigers Woods '09 visit made a measurable impact on golf participation

In November 2009 the world’s #1 golfer, Tiger Woods returned to Australia for the first time since 1998 to contest the Australian Masters. With a very successful event staged at Kingston Heath GC in Melbourne, where Woods also prevailed as its winner, the event may well have also been the catalyst for increasing rounds played at golf clubs across Australia over the summer period.

For the period October 2009 to March 2010, club competition rounds across the country, as recorded by GolfLink, grew by 3.8% over the corresponding six month period in 2008/09. Nationally, in the month of November, the month in which the Masters tournament was held, club competition rounds increased by 8.6% over the same month in the prior year with a 4.1% increase seen in the month of December versus December 2008. To read the whole report Click Here

July-Sept 2009 Rounds Report Released

In July 2009 the AGIC began collecting monthly rounds data from golf facilities around the country. This important research project will provide valuable information to individual clubs and the industry as a whole on number of rounds being played and the impact of key industry initiatives, such as the recent visit to Australia by Tiger Woods. Click here to view the initial report from this important industry project which analyses and comments on the data received and the trends identified for the three months since the project commenced. A 6 monthly report, covering the entire second half of 2009, will be released early in early 2010.

As the project progresses individual clubs who provide data will have the ability to generate their own reports and compare their progress to state, regional and national trends, and to other “like” clubs. The research project will be delivered by Golf Australia, a member of the AGIC, in conjunction with Golf Link Partners. All members of the AGIC – that is the whole Australian Golf Industry – fully support this project. To find out more about the project or how your club can be involved click here or contact Scott Petersen at AGIC, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or phone 0431 900 292.

Parliament welcomes AGIC

Parliament welcomes AGIC - On 23 June 2009 representatives from the Australian Golf Industry Council (AGIC) met with a range of Federal Ministers and senior officials at Parliament House in Canberra to raise awareness of the significant economic, social and environmental benefits of the Australian Golf Industry. The Hon Kate Ellis MP, Minister for Sport and The Hon Richard Marles, MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Innovation and Industry helped to co-ordinate the day and welcomed delegates from the AGIC to Canberra.

“Golf is incredibly important to the Australian government,” said Ms Ellis on the lawns of Parliament House after receiving a golf lesson from PGA professional Jake Nagle, grandson of Australian great Kel.

“In terms of reaching government objectives, it is (the government’s) objective to have a healthy community. It is our objective to have a strong economy. It is our objective to have well supported and well operating large industries. It is our objective to boost tourism and to do a whole range of things that golf - out there as a silent achiever- is already doing. And today is about recognising that.”

At the end of the day’s meetings, Max Garske, Chair of the AGIC and CEO of the PGA of Australia added, “golf is an extremely diverse industry and we cut across so many portfolios including Trade, International Affairs, Regional Development, Local Government, Women, Small Business, Health & Ageing, Tourism and the Environment. Today was really about working out how we can further leverage our sport. 00059243-image.jpg

At the forefront of priorities for the delegation was conveying the substantial value of the Australian Golf Industry that directly employs 23,000 Australians and contributes $2.7 billion to the national annual economy. "The golf industry is massive in terms of financial measures like employment and economic impact,” commented Stephen Pitt, CEO of Golf Australia. “Beyond this it has an enormously positive impact on the health and happiness of more than a million Australians. There is a clear necessity for us to ensure that all levels of Australian Government understand the true and total value of golf in this country."

The day’s proceedings concluded with a dinner at which five-time British Open Champion Peter Thomson, AO CBE, and Dawn Fraser, AO MBE, as patron of Australian Ladies Professional Golf (ALPG), took to the stage as guest speakers and entertained over 40 MP’s and Senators from all political parties.

The clear message of the day was that golf is both a sport contributing to the health and well being of those who play the game and is a substantial industry important to the economy, jobs and to the environment. The future of the Australian Golf Industry will be enhanced by a co-operative working relationship between all industry parties and all levels of government – and the AGIC is committed to ensuring this becomes a reality. Click here for the official press release.

2009 AGIC Forum

The Australian Golf Industry came together on 27-28 July 2009 at Sanctuary Cove in Queensland for the 2009 Australian Golf Industry Council Forum. Held over two days the forum was attended by 130 industry delegates from all over Australia, with NZ Golf and NZ PGA also in attendance. The forum addressed a range of issues currently facing the Australian industry, with the program featuring panel sessions and presentations on a range of widespread issues relevant to golf. “The Australian Golf Industry has come a long way and there is clearly a commitment to work together through the AGIC,” said AGIC Chair Max Garske. “We definitely need to keep up the momentum for joint and complementary initiatives to grow and develop our game and our industry.” Click here for further information about the Forum and for speakers presentations.

AGIC launches data research project

AGIC launches data research project - The Australian Golf Industry Council (AGIC) is requesting the help of golf clubs nationally for an innovative data research project that aims to help the industry ‘stay ahead of the game.’

The new national research project is reliant on the collection of monthly round data from clubs across Australia so that industry trends can be tracked and reported regularly for the benefit of the entire industry. Click here to view the full press release.