NAGA is a national golf organization
comprised of the Canadian Golf Industry Association, Canadian Golf
Superintendents Association, Canadian Professional Golfers Association,
Canadian Society of Club Managers, Canadian Professional Golf Tour,
National Golf Course Owners Association Canada, and the Royal Canadian
Golf Association, dedicated to improving all sectors of golf in
Canada. Formed seven
years ago, NAGA’s objective is to work cooperatively together as
industry leaders ensuring a strong future for golf in
Canada.
The National Allied Golf Associations has embarked on
a united effort to grow the game of golf in Canada. The reasons for this effort are
clear; most sectors of the industry, especially ‘rounds
played’ and ‘number of golfers’, have generally
experienced no growth or a decline during the past few
years. In addition, other factors such as
the oversupply of golf courses, the lack of available leisure time and
the changing expectations of consumers have all put downward pressures
on industry growth in many regions of the country. While these trends are alarming, there are still many positives
to be considered, and the current situation in Canada might be worse if
it were not for an industry that’s now more aware of these
challenges, more educated in marketing and customer service and more
proactive in implementing grow the game programs. Fortunately, this country continues to have one of the highest
percentages of golfers. It would
irresponsible however to assume that we are doing all we can or that
golf in Canada will be spared some of the new realities facing golf in
other countries (such as the United States) or even other sports and
activities.
A proactive strategy that addresses these challenges and
reverses these trends is needed. The opinion
of the golf industry is that an umbrella strategy, supported by the
national associations and their members, will have a greater impact on
growing the game than individual groups working on their
own.
The mission of this umbrella strategy, called
Play
Golf, is “to facilitate an industry
lead, united, national strategy to grow the game of golf
in Canada”.
On May 15, 2007 they launched their website - PLAYGOLF.ORG.
