Serious Tips For Running a Successful Golf Tournament

The following is an interview with Chris Obert. Chris is PGA member and head golf professional at Millwood golf and Racquet club in Springfield, MO. He has run over 500 corporate and charity related golf tournaments. He knows his stuff when it comes to making people happy on the golf course. I hope you enjoy.

What common mistakes do you see people make when organizing their golf tournament?

They pay too little back to players or to not enough players. Committees can sometimes get caught up on the present event and how much they are raising for their charity and do not stay focused on the future of their event. If they keep future participation in mind and give back to those participating, they will continue to grow their event year after year.

Do you see the same problems with corporate events?

Corporate events rarely have this problem since the host company usually doesnt charge an entry fee and covers all expenses for a wonderful day of golf, food and beverage. At times I have seen corporate events cut corners and not host beverages on the course, this can be a disappointment to clients they are entertaining. If you plan on winning over your current or future customers, dont cut corners. Make a great impression on your clients by giving them a small gift on their cart seat (Preferably a Towel, repair Tool or Sleeve of Balls) with the course logo you are playing that day or your company logo. this always makes a great first impression.

What common threads do you see with events that do well year after year?

Tee gifts, big or small will immediately get your participants attention. But remember this, if do it once, they will expect it in the future. Keep this in mind when deciding how much you want to spend and dont try to over impress every year. Keep the gifts simple and consistently priced from year to year. Make sure to give a gift that will not be left in the cart and thrown away at the end of the event by the course staff while cleaning carts. Players will tend to hold on to course logo items, accompany the course logo with your company or charity logo. It will cost a little extra for the second logo, but your items will not be left behind.

Can you typically get what you need at most pro shops?

Yes, you can consult the PGA Professional or Course Tournament Director for ideas, pricing is usually better through them since they are making profit on guest fees, food, beverage and gift certificates. Most courses will make only 10-15% or less on these extra tee gifts as a service to you and to keep you returning to their facility for years to come. After the first year, the course will have your logo on file for the future gifts to make this a simple process from year to year.

What is the best time of year for groups to hold their event?

It is very important to contact your desired facility to book your event before the first of the year. Most courses that host events will book up prior to the end of January. Expect to have a Monday event day if you choose a private facility. If you are starting a new event, it is best to get into a good facility and be less demanding on the date, rather than allowing your exact date to determine the course. In the years to follow, you can advise the Professional or Tournament Director that you would like to move your event to a different date if one opens. Most courses will have repeat tournaments that will have preference on their date.

Is it that tough to get a date you really want?

Once you establish that you are viable event with good participation (100+ Players) you soon will have the date you desire at a great facility. Once you have established a desirable date at a good course, try to keep it on that same date from year to year so that your participants and sponsors can anticipate it. FYI: Some charities prefer to take early dates in the year so that corporate donations they are looking to acquire will not be depleted. You must contact those companies as soon as you have an established date, time and location to best achieve your charity goals.

Dan Boever is a highly sought after golf entertainer and 11-time World Long Drive finalist who has traveled the country for the past 10 years performing power trick shot shows for over 600 of America's largest companies and charities. Dan has been featured on CBS, ESPN, The golf Channel and has been in 8 National television commercials for Pinnacle golf. Dan also appeared in the New Line Cinema movie "Hoot", released last May. For more information about Dan and how you can energize your next golf event with Dan's one of a kind golf exhibition go to http://www.danboever.com or view http://www.metacafe.com/watch/477188/through_the_legs_at_200_mph/

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The Console War Three Decades and Counting

With the recent release of Microsofts xbox 360 and the upcoming releases of Sonys ps3 and Nintendos Wii, gamers a like are becoming more aware of the fierce competition and tactics used by these three major players of the video gaming industry.

It all began in 1972 with a unit you may remember Magnavox Odyssey. While Magnavoxs efforts were short lived, they are still remembered to play a heavy role in the establishment of the home-based video game console. Of course Atari was next in line with a new and back then evolutionary game PONG. As simplistic as the game was, it was loved by consumers worldwide and helped launch Ataris name into the big books.

The newly created gaming industry was gaining strength and the general consumers interest. However as 10 years passed the video gaming industry was about to crash. In 1983, consumers criticized the lack of quality console games with the emergence of home-based computers, gamers began to lose faith in the console. Breaking the silence in late 1983, nintendo introduced the Famicon (Nintendo Entertainment System). With the release of the Famicon came the birth of Super Mario Bros. a signatory series to the nintendo brand.

Nintendos dominance was challenged by sega who entered the market with their Master system. Despite Segas efforts, their Master system barely captured any market share and made little profit. The company refused to face defeat and soon there after released the Mega Drive/ Genisis in 1988, two years before Nintendos release of the Super Nintendo (SNES).

Moving along, the video gaming world became divided into the 32-bit vs. 64-bit machines. The first wave of systems that entered the market was the 3DO and Ataris Jaguar. While both systems were powerful for their time, neither was able to outperform sega or nintendo who both dominated the market until 1994. On December 3 1994, Sony launched its Playstation system and enjoyed a successful launch. nintendo followed 2 years later with their 64-bit offering, the nintendo 64. Even at this stage nintendo made the controversial decision of releasing a cartridge based system arguing that it would reduce load times and minimize piracy.

sega fought back one last time in 1998, releasing the dreamcast. While Segas efforts were strong, the company failed to make ends meet when Sony released the successor to their first console the ps2 (in 2000). In 2001 nintendo released its gamecube targeting a younger market. Both companies had established their own brands and proved themselves to the gaming community. Sonys system was challenged in 2001 when microsoft entered the arena with their xbox.

We are currently in a new generation of console gaming. While Xbox 360 is currently available the ps3 and Wii are due to release later this year. Previously, Sony dominated in market share, however this is forecast to change with the new generation of gaming. More than ever it is critical to offer the greatest innovation, greatest power and most of all the greatest games.

So who will dominate the market this generation? This is difficult to answer, however as a gaming enthusiast, I strongly believe that competition between the three companies ultimately means better games for you the gamer.

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Yoga and the Gift of Communication

Yoga teachers are some of the best story tellers of our time. Telling stories, and capturing the imagination of a crowd, is an art. In ancient times, this was the way news traveled from village to village. Cultures differ, but stories, prayers, and songs, were a big part of ancient communication.

We live at a time, when Internet communication is instant, but social skills are hampered by technological advancement. It is unfortunate that with all the tools at hand, for brilliance, some of our children, and young adults, are growing up socially handicapped. The gift of communication has been taken for granted - but why?

There is an old saying, The best things in life are free. This saying was also the title of a movie, and later, a song. Does the world listen? Absolutely, not! Lets look at a short list of free things the world takes for granted.

A smile, a laugh, good health, loved ones, real friendship, intelligence, innovation, the ability to communicate with each other; all of these comprise a brief list of things, which are taken for granted, and cost us no money. Yet, we value machines, which break down.

now, lets look closely at communication in modern Yoga. Whether you are a student, or you teach Yoga classes, communication is important. In some of the physically active forms of Yoga, a Hatha, kundalini, or Ashtanga Yoga student, should be able to let a teacher know when physical limits have been reached.

No matter how much knowledge a Yoga teacher has - he or she cannot feel what is going on in a students body. Students should not feel guilty, or remorseful, for limited range of motion or having an off day.

In addition to this, students should never be harassed, due to their limitations, by a Yoga teacher. This is a clear signal to find a competent and compassionate Yoga teacher. Never stay in an abusive relationship. life is too short to waste and to be taken for granted. Students should be able to ask Yoga-related questions during a Yoga class. without communication, Yoga classes become militaristic exercise classes. This is fine, if military exercise is what you want; but why not take part in a martial arts class instead?

Martial arts have a wonderful physical and mental health value, but the militaristic view point is not hidden. Why would a Yoga student seek to study Yoga from a wolf in sheeps clothing? When a Yoga teacher becomes a strict disciplinarian, the ultimate goal of Yoga is lost.

Copyright 2007 Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, has written many books on the subject of Yoga. He is a co-owner and the Director of Yoga Teacher training at: Aura wellness Center, in Attleboro, MA. http://www.riyoga.com He has been a certified Master Yoga Teacher since 1995. To receive a Free Yoga e-book: "Yoga in Practice," and a Free Yoga Newsletter, please visit: http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html

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