Category Archives: News

Breaking Boundaries: The Power of Live Streaming at the Chicago Adaptive Open

In our conversation with the Chicago District Golf Association (CDGA), we discussed how they ventured boldly into new territory with the live broadcast of their Inaugural Chicago Adaptive Open. This forward-thinking event not only introduced a new level of excellence for adaptive competitions, but also marked a pivotal advance in the journey toward inclusivity in golf. The decision to provide live coverage elevated the event’s profile, adding a level of professionalism and visibility that was both meaningful and impactful to the adaptive community. 

Casey Richards, the CDGA’s Senior Managing Director of Communications and Marketing, recalls how quickly the idea materialized, “Once we decided to hold the event in early January 2024, we wanted to find ways to make this inaugural event special. Beyond administrative enhancements like offering a purse, we saw live streaming as a powerful tool to spotlight the event and give it a broader appeal within and beyond the golf community.”

The event itself is already unique and special, so adding a live coverage element was something that helped take it to the next level. Richards and Tim Merrick, the CDGA’s Senior Director of Communications, highlighted that live coverage was not something the CDGA had ventured into before. The goal was to create a production that felt professional and engaging, something viewers would expect from a televised event. “If we were going to do it, we wanted to do it right,” said Merrick. 

For the CDGA, entering the realm of live streaming required a steep learning curve. Merick described the process: “We put out feelers to various companies to see what this would look like, what it would cost, and what resources would be required. We wanted this to be really well-produced, not just a one or two-camera setup. Ultimately, we decided to work with College Golf Network, a company experienced in live streaming amateur and college events.”

The CDGA’s partnership with College Golf Network led to meticulous planning sessions that began in March 2024, just a few months before the event. “We had bi-monthly calls to plan out everything—from graphics and logos to the format of the stream. We wanted to make sure we were prepared to deliver a top-tier production,” said Merick. This level of planning was crucial, especially since live streaming a golf event involves numerous variables, ranging from camera placements to the selection of featured holes and groups. 

The CDGA’s efforts were not made in isolation. They drew on the USGA’s Adaptive Golf Playbook, particularly in terms of terminology and storytelling strategies. Richards explained, “We wanted to balance the competition aspect with telling the remarkable stories of the competitors. The USGA’s coverage of other adaptive events provided a lot of content that we synthesized to figure out the best way to spotlight these stories.”

Additionally, CDGA staff members traveled to other adaptive events across the country to observe and learn. These visits allowed the team to fine-tune their approach and really piece together the details for their event. Lastly, the CDGA knew it would need to recruit volunteers to help pull this off, and they were able to get 70 people to help out. 

One of the biggest challenges in producing a live stream of this scale was the cost, both in terms of money and resources. “We built it into our overall budget, but we also had opportunities to monetize the stream through corporate sponsorships,” Richards noted. The planning and execution were time-consuming, requiring extensive involvement from the CDGA communications team, who had to balance their usual duties with the demands of producing a live event.

Another challenge was determining the structure of the stream. The CDGA opted to feature specific holes rather than individual groups, ensuring that every competitor would be shown at least a few times. However, they learned that hole choices can significantly impact the flow of the broadcast. “We chose the 16th and 18th holes, but the 16th had a water hazard, which led to some awkward dead time. You want to be strategic about what holes you pick in terms of the ones that are going to be the most playable and provide the most opportunity for highlight moments,” Richards added. 

The success of the live stream has set a new standard for the CDGA. With over 1,500 total views and overwhelmingly positive feedback from players and their families, live coverage will become a staple of the Chicago Adaptive Open in the future. “The total watch time exceeded 400 hours, and the feedback was off the charts,” said Richards. The success of this event has also opened the door to potentially live-streaming other CDGA Championships.

For other associations considering a similar venture, Richards and Merick emphasize the importance of thorough planning and resource allocation. “It’s time-consuming and resource-intensive, but the impact it had on our event made it all worth it,” Richards reflected. Merick added, “Seeing the joy and fulfillment that the adaptive golfers got from the event, and knowing that we were able to share that with a wider audience, made all the challenges worthwhile.”

The live coverage of the Chicago Adaptive Open wasn’t just about broadcasting a golf tournament—it was about producing a high-quality, engaging experience that showcased the incredible stories of adaptive athletes. By investing in a professional production, the CDGA not only spotlighted their event, but also redefined how live coverage can enhance visibility and inclusivity in golf.

By: Santana Shipley

The International Association of Golf Administrators (IAGA) announced today that they are honoring Mary Pomroy and Kevin Heaney as recipients of the 2024 IAGA Distinguished Service Award. The presentation of this award will take place on Monday, November 4, during the IAGA Annual Conference sponsored by Golf Genius at the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa in Monterey, California. 

“The IAGA is thrilled to recognize Mary and Kevin for their tremendous leadership and remarkable impact on the game at the associations they served, as well as to our IAGA community and the broader golf industry,” said Matt Vanderpool, the Immediate Past President of the IAGA and Chief Executive Officer of Georgia State Golf Association. Vanderpool led the IAGA Awards Committee through the process of identifying our recipients in 2024. “Mary and Kevin have shown exceptional dedication to elevating the important role that golf associations play in advancing the game, and we look forward to honoring them and highlighting their incredible contributions.”

Mary Pomroy

Mary Pomroy served the Arizona golf community for nearly 30 years with the Junior Golf Association of Arizona, AZ Golf, but most prominently with the Arizona Women’s Golf Association (AWGA) where she served as their Executive Director from 1999 until 2019.  Under her leadership, the AWGA was a leader across the country in the promotion, growth, and administration of women’s golf. 

Pomroy was instrumental beyond the Arizona golf community by co-founding the Women’s Golf Alliance, an organization that brought together leading organizations in the women’s game to share best practices and collaborate as an industry to facilitate increased women’s participation.  In addition, Pomroy served on the IAGA Board of Directors and led the organization as its President in 2019.

She finished out her career in 2019 by helping to facilitate the successful merger of the AWGA and the AGA, a move which brought together the leadership and the staff of both associations to more powerfully serve the game and the golfers of Arizona. 

“I can’t tell you how honored I feel to be receiving the Distinguished Service Award from the IAGA. To know I have the respect of those who came after me has a very special meaning” said Pomroy. 

Pomroy continues her involvement in golf as a board member for the Junior Golf Association of Arizona Foundation.  In retirement, she is enjoying spending more time with her husband, Steve and enjoying a new relocation to Alabama.

Kevin Heaney

Kevin Heaney has been a highly influential figure in the Southern California Golf Association (SCGA) for nearly four decades. Heaney began his career with the SCGA in the mid-1980s as a tournament director and rose to become the organization’s Executive Director, a position he held for the last 17 years until his retirement in March 2023.

Heaney’s leadership saw the SCGA grow to an all-time high of 196,000 members across 1,500 clubs. He expanded the SCGA and SCGA Foundation staff significantly and created new departments focusing on public affairs, membership development, and technology. He also played a crucial role in unifying the SCGA with the Public Links Golf Association and the Women’s Southern California Golf Association.

“I am extremely honored to be chosen for this award. It is particularly gratifying knowing that it comes from colleagues who I was privileged to work alongside through my many years in the golf industry” said Heaney. 

Heaney’s contributions to the golf community extend beyond the SCGA. Heaney, a Past President of the IAGA, was instrumental in the strategic planning and the organization.  He worked closely with the USGA on initiatives that benefited local golf associations across the country and was a mentor and strategist during some of the most critical times in the history of American golf associations.

About the IAGA Distinguished Service Award

The IAGA Distinguished Service Award recognizes individuals who have made a positive impact on their golf community locally, regionally, and/or nationally. The ideal candidate exemplifies true professionalism and possesses many of the following characteristics: leadership, innovation and creativity, mentorship, sharing and promoting an exchange of information, collaborative excellence, exemplary communication skills, and dedicated service to the industry.

About the IAGA

The International Association of Golf Administrators (IAGA), formed in 1968, serves as the industry trade organization whose mission is to advance the game of golf and serve those who play it by representing and developing those who lead it. The organization comprises over 90 golf associations representing nearly 800 industry professionals and over 3 million golfers across North America. The IAGA provides educational and networking opportunities and business resources to further its member organizations.

The MGA’s Strategic Collaboration: Leveraging Local Influencers to Grow Membership

In an era where reaching the right audience is crucial, the Metropolitan Golf Association (MGA) has showcased a remarkable example of knowing your market and utilizing the USGA’s influencer playbook to focus on membership growth. We recently spoke with Kevin Kline, the MGA’s Director of Member Services, about their innovative partnership with Gio Giannotti from the popular “Boomer and Gio” radio show and Golficity, a local content producer from New Jersey. This collaboration not only highlighted one of MGA’s public facilities but also dived into the importance of getting a handicap and how it works.

This collaboration is as grassroots as they come. Kline, an avid listener of the Boomer and Gio radio show, seized an opportunity when he discovered that Gio—who had been increasingly discussing golf on the air—would be appearing at a local liquor store. Armed with MGA swag and a strategy, Kline and his team approached Gio, igniting what would evolve into a highly successful partnership.

“It was just an opportunity I couldn’t pass up,” said Kline. “Gio didn’t know who we were or what we did, but he was appreciative, and the next morning, he was on air talking about us. It really took off from there.”

This approach underscores the importance of knowing your market. The MGA identified Gio’s audience as a perfect fit—primarily sports enthusiasts and potential golfers within the 25 to 45-year-old male demographic. By recognizing the unique opportunity in their local media landscape, where few others were discussing golf, the MGA tapped into a market eager to engage with the game. It’s also a great example of the importance of knowing your market and region as the types of people and content that will resonate will vary from market to market. 

The MGA’s collaboration also drew heavily from the USGA’s influencer playbook, which aims to promote golf and grow membership through strategic partnerships with influencers. By integrating the world handicap system into their content, they also provided valuable education while promoting the MGA’s services.

“We wanted to highlight a public facility and the importance of getting a handicap,” Kline explained. “With the USGA putting a lot of marketing behind the handicap system, it just made sense to incorporate that into our content.”

The result was a video that not only featured Gio and the Golficity team playing 18 holes but also provided a straightforward explanation of how the handicap system works. By choosing influencers with a significant following in the local community, the MGA was able to amplify their message and reach a broader audience.

One of the most significant outcomes of this collaboration has been the sustained engagement and brand awareness it has generated. The video has already had 14,000 views in just three weeks, and the conversation around it continues, with a big thanks to ongoing mentions by Gio and Boomer on their radio show. The content is also very authentic, which is key to success when undertaking these types of initiatives. 

“This video has been a gift that keeps on giving,” said Kline. “Whether it’s Gio wearing MGA swag on air or listeners calling in to talk about the video, it keeps the MGA in the spotlight.”

The MGA has been strategic in its use of the content, breaking it down into short-form videos for Instagram and other platforms, and featuring it in their newsletters and magazines. This multi-platform approach ensures that the content remains fresh and continues to engage both current and potential members.

For other associations looking to replicate this success, Kline’s advice is straightforward: pay attention to your market, use the resources available in the influencer playbook, and don’t be afraid to take the initiative.

“Every market is different, but the key is to find the right influencers who resonate with your audience,” he advised. “And once you find them, work closely with them to create content that not only promotes your association but also provides value to the viewer.”

The MGA’s collaboration with Gio Benitez and Golficity is a testament to what can be achieved when an association understands its audience and leverages the right partnerships to reach them. As they continue to build on this success, the MGA is well-positioned to grow its membership and further its mission to promote the game of golf.

By: Santana Shipley

Golf Day Minnesota: Leveraging Media and Influencer Power to Grow the Game

Golf Day Minnesota brings a fresh approach to promoting the game of golf, complementing the traditional advocacy-focused state golf days.

With Minnesota boasting one of the highest golf participation rates in the United States, the Minnesota Golf Association (MGA) leveraged this enthusiasm to create an event that encourages golfers to actively participate and celebrate the sport. Encouraging members to participate in something that feels natural to them is a great way for brands to connect with their members in a positive way.

Jon Mays, the Executive Director of MGA, shared the origins and vision behind Golf Day Minnesota. 

“We have a really avid golfing community, and we only have a handful of months throughout the year where we can actually play, because of our weather up here. So once the weather turns and our golfers have a chance to get out, they do so in waves,” Mays said. 

This enthusiasm inspired MGA to launch Golf Day Minnesota as a way to kick off the season and celebrate the sport across the state. Mays explained that the event was strategically designed as a marketing initiative to maximize exposure for golf and the MGA. 

“We used it kind of as a marketing ploy, in order for us to tap into social media, tap into some other alternative forms of media, and generate as much coverage for golf in general and for our association as we could,” he noted. 

Local golf influencers and other athletes promoted the event on social media, while traditional media outlets, including TV and radio stations, also played a significant role in spreading the word.

The promotion of Golf Day Minnesota relied heavily on influencer marketing, a modern strategy that has proven effective in reaching a wider audience. 

“Most of the promotion happened through the influencer project. The MGA team identified some key people through social media that we knew had a large following and tapped into them to tell our story,” Mays explained. 

These influencers shared authentic, organic content about their love for golf, creating a genuine connection with their followers. The MGA posted these videos weekly in the lead-up to the event, ultimately engaging a broader audience and generating interest beyond their typical membership target. 

The response from golfers across Minnesota was overwhelmingly positive. Mays emphasized the success of the initiative, which encouraged people to get out and play, with Youth on Course donating $5 for each round posted. “We had over 11,000 participants, which is a testament to the vibrant golfing community here,” Mays noted. Despite rainy weather in parts of the state, Minnesotan golfers displayed remarkable resilience and passion, ensuring the event’s success.

The partnership with Youth on Course further amplified the event’s impact. Minnesota boasts the second-largest Youth on Course program in the country, with over 20,000 members. “Youth on Course has been an amazing partner for us. For us to have those types of numbers, it’s really gotten into the community and is a huge talking point among golfers and just people in general,” Mays said. This partnership provided a compelling anchor for Golf Day Minnesota, promoting both membership and donations to the program.

Looking ahead, Mays envisions an even more expansive and impactful event in the coming years. “Bigger and better. We have sort of a blueprint for what we think we can do. The more we can get people talking about golf and all the great things it can do, that’s the baseline,” he stated. Their goal for next year is to involve more courses across the state, particularly in northern Minnesota, and to continue growing the event’s reach and engagement.

For other associations considering a similar event, Mays advises clarity in defining goals and missions. “You have to identify what your core mission is for the day, what you want the outcome to be, and then attack that. Having your course members throughout the state buying into it and being a part of it is crucial,” he emphasized. Mays also highlighted that building strong media connections and utilizing every angle of media marketing, from traditional outlets to social media influencers, is essential for success.

Golf Day Minnesota’s inaugural event, conceived in early 2024 and brought to life with the support of local courses and the Youth on Course National organization, set a strong foundation for future growth. As Mays reflected, “We started planning early in the calendar year and now we have a head start. We’re already thinking about next year and how we can improve it and continue to grow it.”

With a clear mission, strategic marketing, and community engagement, Golf Day Minnesota exemplifies a unique and effective approach to promoting the game of golf, fostering enthusiasm, and making a lasting impact on the golfing community.

By: Santana Shipley

Carolinas Golf Association Announces Andy Priest as New Executive Director

The Carolinas Golf Association (CGA) announced that Andy Priest will become Executive Director in January 2025. Priest, who began his career with the CGA, has extensive experience including leadership roles with the Alabama and Southern Golf Associations and a strong relationship with the USGA. Current Executive Director Jack Nance praised Priest’s leadership and experience, ensuring a smooth transition. Priest and his wife Tiffany, also a former CGA staff member, will relocate to the Pinehurst area later this year.

A List of the Shortest Par 4’s, From the Back Tees at Public Course in Massachusetts

 In Mass Golf’s lists of shortest and longest holes at public golf courses in Massachusetts, they’ve looked at everything from short and scenic par 3s to gargantuan par 5s. However, in this list, there is a main focus on the shortest Par 4s in Massachusetts. These holes embody the idea of a “risk-reward” challenge. Two examples off this list are the par 4 seventh at Ridder Farm (263 yards) which has a key-shaped fairway with large bunkers, ideal for a 250-yard drive, while the par 4 second at Westborough Golf Club (262 yards) features a sloped rough leading to woods and an elevated green that punishes long shots.

Championship from the Distant Past

In 1924, Joe Coble triumphed at the National Public Links Championship, defying the expectations of golf’s elite by winning the title with stoic determination. Despite initial indifference from the gallery, Coble’s grit and rise from humble beginnings won him respect as he secured victory over Henry Decker. His success underscored golf’s evolving inclusivity, marking a pivotal moment for the sport and opening doors for future players from all backgrounds.

To submit a story for “Quick Hits” please reach out to IAGA Community Operations Manager, Santana Shipley.