IAGA Conference

Well, I'm at the IAGA conference at The Woodlands (Houston), TX, along with fellow MGA staff members Tom Ryan, WP (Warren) Ryan and Lisa Overom. The IAGA stands for the International Association of Golf Administrators. This annual conference is where staff from the local, state and regional associations gather to share information and have educational sessions that help us make our respective associations better.

As you might expect, I attend the sessions for Rules and Competitions Directors. During these meetings, all of my fellow Rules and Competitions people meet and share ideas about what we do so that all of us can improve. One idea that was shared dealt with getting the permanent trophies out so that more people can see them. The idea was to take the Amateur trophy (for example) and put it on display at the host site approximately one month before the Championship. This can help to raise awareness and excitement about the event coming to that club. Another idea I picked up was about a new database manager (CRM) that would be able to merge all of our existing databases into one that also talks to GHIN so that everyone in the office will be using the most up-to-date information.

The conference started yesterday (Sunday) and continues through Tuesday. We had a tournament today on the Tournament Course at The Woodlands (former home to the Shell Houston Open) to crown the Men's Gross and Net Champions and Women's Gross Champion. I shot a 1-over par 73 for 35 Stableford points and finished in a tie for first. Unfortunately, ties were broken by following the recommended USGA procedure when a scorecard playoff is used, leaving me saying "if only...". MGA E.D. Tom Ryan finished third one stroke (and one point) behind me. And, MGA Communications Director WP Ryan finished second in the Net Division, one point behind Florida State Golf Association E.D. (and IAGA President) Jim Demick. A pretty good showing for the MGA Staff!

I return home Wednesday - assuming American Airlines can get me there! After two delays totaling over 9 hours in getting to Dallas (Thursday) and Houston (Saturday), I'm not real comfortable in my schedule. Well, they can't get any worse.............or can they??

Until next time-

Doug