The National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA) received the 2009 EGCOA Grow the Game Award for their involvement in the US golf industry’s ‘Get Golf Ready’ initiative.

Designed to bring new people into the game and former golfers back to the sport, ‘Get Golf Ready’ is a combined effort created by Golf 20/20 and golf’s allied bodies, including the NGCOA, and supported by industry partners. It represents the newest and most ambitious adult player development initiative in the United States.

The ‘Get Golf Ready’ program consists of an affordable five-lesson group instruction package, over five days and on-course activities during each lesson. In addition to the instruction package, Get Golf Ready encourages ongoing participation in outings after sessions are completed. The focus of the program is to create familiarity and comfort with being on a golf course among non-golfers, with the goal of encouraging regular, beginner-play after day five.

The award was presented to Joe Rice, Chief Marketing Officer of the NGCOA, during the 2009 European Golf Business Conference in Amsterdam. “We’re very proud to receive this award as growing the game is by far the most important thing we can be doing for the industry and our members,” stated Rice.  “I accept this award on behalf of our CEO, Mike Hughes, and all of the allied groups in the US that have partnered and worked so hard to build such a successful program.“

The EGCOA Grow the Game Award recognizes individuals or organizations that spark new ideas to promote the game and advancements in the golf business. “Get Golf Ready” won among two other initiatives voted on by delegates.

Lodewijk Klootwijk, CEO of the EGCOA, added: “With the business struggling for more people to play golf, it is more important than ever to recognize innovators with brave new ideas. The NGCOA cooperates with the rest of the US industry and golf course owners to take the next step and in Europe we can learn from these kind of examples.”