Fred Ridley final June through the pro-am for the Memorial.
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Fred Ridley says he welcomes the thought that golf’s definition is increasing. There are long-established manufacturers such because the PGA Tour, LPGA and the Masters — the event the place he’s the chairman — and there are manufacturers similar to TGL and High Golf, newbies who promote being fashionable.
However Ridley additionally gives a warning. He is aware of what he doesn’t need to have occur.
“We don’t need golf to grow to be like each different sport,” Ridley stated.
He was speaking Thursday at Pilar Golf Membership in Argentina, the host of this week’s Latin America Beginner Championship, an occasion based by the Masters, the USGA and the R&A — and, with this yr marking its tenth taking part in, a relative newcomer to the golf house itself. A reporter was curious, although: What would golf seem like sooner or later, considering that “these days, the tendency is to have extra city sports activities, extra dynamic sports activities” — whereas “golf lasts for about 4 hours?”
Mike Whan, the USGA’s CEO, supplied a narrative as a part of his response. He stated he’d been at final week’s opener for TGL, the tech-infused, two-hour-long simulator league backed by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy. He stated people informed him they cherished listening to participant back-and-forths — although, with a DJ taking part in music on the area, he heard none of them. He stated he had a special expertise.
“I believe that’s thrilling for the sport,” Whan stated. “I believe it’s thrilling the sport can come to you wherever you might be each bodily and curiosity‑smart in a means through which we will carry you into the sport. I believe that’s not solely an thrilling thought for me personally. It’s proving itself to being nice for the sport within the on‑course participation.”
Whan stated what you as soon as considered golf was altering.
“And I believe in a great way,” he continued. “Whether or not they’re speaking about driving vary or whether or not we’re speaking a couple of TGL form of expertise, simulator golf all all over the world, I believe we’re beginning to present the sport in numerous chunk sizes, if you’ll, relying on the place the participant is available in contact.
“I do know my younger youngsters would discover an hour and a half at a simulator to be ‘golf,’ and once I was at their age, I in all probability wouldn’t have thought-about that. I believe that’s good for the sport. The sport is sufficiently big that we now have obtained room, fairly frankly, and fairly frankly, and we must always invite the sport to be performed in a variety of completely different codecs. There’s a variety of methods to return into this recreation. It’s thrilling. I can converse to the US. When you went again 10 years in the past, three out of each 10 golfers that teed up at a golf course for the very first time have skilled the sport earlier than they obtained there, and at present that quantity is eight out of 10.
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“So, take into consideration how completely different the sport is in the event you’ve skilled find out how to play it earlier than you stroll on to the tee field of a golf course for the primary time. That’s what’s actually occurred in our recreation. That’s how our recreation has exploded all over the world, and positively within the States, as nicely.”
Ridley agreed that golf’s latest variations are well-received. He stated they create followers, and golf wants extra.
However he additionally stated why he performs. To him, golf isn’t like different sports activities.
He hopes that doesn’t get misplaced amidst change.
“I believe it’s vital to recollect to consider what makes golf so particular,” Ridley stated. “Why do we expect all of us who love the sport? Why do we expect it’s the best sport, and it’s completely different than different sports activities?
“Plenty of it has to do with the historical past and integrity of the sport. You play by the foundations. You name the foundations on your self. The consideration of the sport. The camaraderie that’s created by taking part in golf. I believe as we attempt to develop the fan base, we have to maintain that north star in sight as a result of we don’t need golf to grow to be like each different sport. I believe that’s a very vital factor to consider.”
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