The Pellucid Perspective - March 2011 - (Page 10)

alternative golf Can Alternative Golf change golf ’s fortunes? Or will it create a red and blue divide with golfers? By Harvey Silverman S ince our article last month about the Alternative Golf chuckled. “We certainly have heard a lot of things on both Association (Flogton) the story of how Scott McNealy sides, but in the end we are not asking anyone’s permission,” and friends plan to save golf has appeared in a number Gallagher told me. “Much of Silicone Valley, where McNealy of publications. Some, like the Wall Street Journal, are quite made his name (and fortune) was built on disruptive business noteworthy and a credit to the publicity machine that Flogton ideas. We don’t want to disrupt what is great about golf, we is tapping into. Years ago, subjects like this would have appeared just want to make it easier for people to start, learn, and have in print and been discussed in club grill rooms, golf course 19th fun playing golf who aren’t interested in competing at higher holes, on the first tee…that is if they were read at all. Today’s levels.” electronic media makes it faster and easier for a story like this Flogton has a long way to go, starting with developing a to spread. And with it comes the ability to let one’s thoughts be brand. Here’s a scoop, and to some marketing people, a relief: known to a wider audience than your foursome, in formats that The final name brand will not be “Flogton.” “It was always inenable a back and forth public discourse. tended as a placeholder. We’re currently Such is the case here, and following the looking for branding ideas, as well as Years ago, subjects several discussions has been enlightenentertaining prospective investors,” ing, and very entertaining. like this would have ap- Gallagher continued. “We’ve been apVenerable Wall Street Journal columproached by a number of people, comnist John Paul Newport wrote a piece peared in print and been panies, and associations both in and last month that so far has garnered over outside of golf who think we might be discussed in club grill 50 comments. Here are paraphrased a onto something. We’re trying to vet all rooms, golf course 19th of these “players,” and the one abiding few of the pithier comments, along with a link to the full article: http://online. holes, on the first tee… factor in who we partner with has to be, wsj.com/article/SB1000142405274870 do they play and love golf?” Gallagher that is if they were read went on, “We have spoken to or met 4132204576136270684216848.html • “This is an absolutely ludicrous at all. today’s electronic with almost all of the major golf equipidea…this needs to go the way of the pet ment manufacturers who all have told media makes it faster rock. Is the rock the equivalent of having us they have researched and developed, a dog because you call the rock a pet?” to varying degrees, non-conforming and easier for a story • “I have loved other sports ruined by equipment that they know will make like this to spread. infidels. I would advise a code of Sharia the game easier to play. They can’t marLaw for golf…Flogtonites should be – ket these for fear of being renounced by well flogged.” the USGA, but as I said before about • “Flogtons sound like educators – not asking for permission, we won’t care just keep lowering the bar. But we know that doesn’t work ei- and will surely find at least one manufacturer who will build ther.” us equipment that corresponds to our philosophy, and we will • “I support Mr. McNealy for head of Freddie Mac and Fan- build a new market using it.” nie Mae. They already have most of these types of rules.” We think Flogton’s word will continue to spread, and we Among the comments from the hard core critics (let’s call support the creative thinking if not the “disruptive business them TEEbaggers) were about an equal number supporting idea.” Every golf course owner has too much at stake to react as the Flogton concept. However, the supporters do not express many ski area owners did to snowboarding years ago. If Flogtheir feeling as vociferously as the critics, leading us to sur- ton can keep all of the good stuff about golf while breaking mise that as this idea grows, and some of us think it will, we down some of its barriers, we may witness a renaissance of the may well see two camps of golfers form, Red golfers and Blue common man’s game. golfers. And if you have an opinion, we’d love to hear it. Use our I posed that idea to Flogton CEO Pat Gallagher, and he Discussion tab function and let us know what you think. n March 2011 10 The Pellucid PersPecTive http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704132204576136270684216848.html http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704132204576136270684216848.html

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Pellucid Perspective - March 2011

The Pellucid Perspective - March 2011
Contents
A Look Back at 2010, a Fitting End to a Fitful Decade
Courses Can Take Environmental Credits to the Bank
Feb 2011 Ytd Weather Impact, Jan 2011 YTD Utilization
Can Alternative Golf Change Golf ’s Fortunes?
Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner?
Comings & Goings
Boston, Ma Core Business Statistical Area (Cbsa)
The State of the Game – Really?

The Pellucid Perspective - March 2011