OLD WESTBURY, N.Y. (October 12, 2010) – The Metropolitan Golf Association Foundation conducted its annual Presidents Council Fall Meeting at the Glen Oaks Club in Old Westbury, N.Y. More than 200 club presidents, general managers, and other club leaders attended the conference, which was highlighted by a keynote presentation by Jim Hyler, President of the USGA, on major issues facing the game.
Kicking off the morning’s presentations was Brad Steele, the Vice President of Government Relations and General Counsel for the National Club Association. In an energetic and thought-provoking presentation, Steele gave a legal and legislative update on the current status of the game and how his organization works to lobby Congress on behalf of the private club industry.
Following Steele was Tom Walsh, a partner at Jackson Lewis LLP, who presented an update on union issues facing clubs in the Met Area. Steve Graves, President and Founder of Creative Club Marketing discussed what clubs need to do to thrive and survive today’s challenging economic times. All three of these presentations were followed by question-and-answer sessions that allowed those in attendance to learn more about the issues facing MGA member clubs.
Hyler, who was elected as president of the USGA in early 2009, gave the final presentation of the morning before the group of attendees broke for lunch and then a round of golf at Glen Oaks. Hyler explained the importance for clubs to be both fiscally and environmentally responsible when it comes to their facilities, and that the USGA is trying to “practice what we preach” by bringing championships to sites that can play fast and firm. He cited Chambers Bay, Erin Hills, and Pinehurst as recent and future examples and emphasized that “brown is the new green” when it comes to golf in the United States.
In addition to the lively and informative presentations, the attendees were also able to meet representatives from three corporate partners who helped to make the Presidents Council a success: Donnelly Construction, E-Z-Go golf carts, and BioHiTech America. A 2010 Mercedes, courtesy of Mercedes-Benz Manhattan, was also showcased at the Presidents Council, highlighting the ongoing partnership between the MGA and the flagship Manhattan dealership.
Each presentation from the MGA Presidents Council will be archived online at www.mgagolf.org. Check back on mgagolf.org for more information or contact Billy Condon (bcondon@mgagolf.org) at the MGA.
