|
|
|
|
|
|
- Several
countries claimed to have originated the game of golf, but
Scotland is the choice “home of golf.” Golf was introduced
to America in Charleston, South Carolina, in the mid-18th
century by Scottish traders.
- In
1998, a National Golf Foundation report projected that
between 32-34 million golfers will play 730-780 million
rounds by the year 2010.
- According to the NGF, golf is one of the few sports
that players spend more money on as they age; more than 50%
of new golfers are women.
- The PGA
(Professional Golf Association) of America was founded in
1916, in New York with 35 members. Until 1928, a membership
cost $5 when it was increased to $10. Today, the PGA
conducts four premier golf events: the Ryder Cup Matches,
the PGA Championship, the Senior PGA Championship, and the
PGA Grand Slam of Golf; and is the largest working sports
organization in the world with over 27,000 members.
- In
1922, the maximum price charged by manufacturers for a PGA
line of irons was $3.00.
- About 4
million, or 15%, of all golfers are permanent residents of a
golf course community.
- Since
1996, the African-American golfer population has increased
about 30%, and more than 100% since 1991.
- Today,
China has more than 50 golf courses with 100 under
construction. Spring City Golf & Lake Resort, designed
by Jack Nicklaus, will soon feature the first Club Med in
China.
- Golfing
under floodlights at night is becoming popular in Malaysia,
as it can get excruciatingly hot during the day.
- There
are more golf courses in Japan than any other nation except
the U.S. Golf Club Memberships in Japan are bought and sold
like stocks. At one time, Kogenei Country Club sold
memberships for $3.2 million!
- The
oldest golf club outside the British Isles is “Royal
Calcutta” in India with a history dating back to
1829.
- For a
fifth of the world’s inhabitants the cost of a day’s round
of golf at Pebble Beach would be enough money to live on for
a year.
Facts & figures taken from Planet Golf, Golf
Digest, June 1999, pga.com,
and the National Golf
Foundation report of 1999.
BACK | | |
|
