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Busy
in Braselton |
Two
special events keep AJGA staffers busy during winter months |
By
John Egnot
Manager of Media Relations
Now that March is here, spring has almost sprung, and one would
think that it’s time for us AJGA staffers to come out
of our off-season cocoons in preparation for another exciting
golf season. You’d think that the recent string of 80-plus
degree days in North Georgia would have us primed and ready
to get at it once again.
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| Tournament
Director Leigh Mathies was stationed on the first hole
at the par-3 course. Needless to say, her arm was tired. |
Sure,
the warm weather is great, but we’ve been going at it
since there was still the on-again, off-again chance of a few
snow flurries bringing Greater Atlanta to its knees.
Since the last publication of the AJGA Link, two special events
have kept the entire staff busy and on its toes as the tournament
season approaches.
The first of these was the AJGA’s Annual Meeting, held
Feb. 16-19. Every year, the AJGA welcomes its local tournament
chairmen, committee members, supporters, friends and golf industry
leaders to the Chateau Elan Resort in Braselton, Ga., for a
weekend of education, brainstorming and fun.
The 2006 version of the Annual Meeting welcomed more than 110
guests to a mock sports bar, which was set up in the basement
of the Association’s National Headquarters Thursday night.
Friday started with Executive Director Stephen Hamblin’s
annual "State of the AJGA" address, followed by a
brainstorming session where guests and AJGA staff members pondered
a number of strategic initiatives for the organization.
On Friday and Saturday, AJGA staff members as well as a number
of guests orchestrated seven “breakout sessions.”
These educational seminars covered topics such as the importance
of media at events, sponsor retention, information about the
USGA • AJGA Youth Leadership Club and what a golf course
should expect in holding an AJGA tournament.
Of course, the Annual Meeting wouldn’t be what it is without
a number of fun activities. Friday, guests were treated to a
par-3 golf competition that featured an array of special quirks,
including the chance to throw your ball to the No. 1 green instead
of hitting it there. Others were treated to a trip to the Mall
of Georgia, one of the largest shopping centers in the southeast.
On Saturday, a Junior-Am style golf tournament was scheduled
but canceled due to poor weather. Those not scheduled to play
golf Saturday traveled to downtown Atlanta for a trip to the
newly-opened Georgia Aquarium.
| Click
here to see all of the Annual Meeting Award winners |
A
Friday-night tradition, the Digger Smith Banquet honored the
achievements of local tournament committee members. Gayle Champagne,
president of the AJGA Board of Directors was named the Digger
Smith Award winner. Additionally, keynote speaker Wally Uihlein,
Acushnet Company Chairman and CEO, announced a new 10-year deal
extending Titleist’s national sponsorship of the AJGA
well into the next decade.
With the Annual Meeting rush winding down, it was time for the
staff to prepare for the next special event, Intern Recruiting
Weekend. Eighty-four intern candidates were narrowed down from
more than 500 resumes sent to the AJGA for its spring and summer
internship programs.
These lucky 84 were brought to Braselton March 3-5 for an extended
“job interview.” While the weekend consisted of
what you would expect in an interview-type setting (tests, quizzes,
public speaking exercises, etc.), there were also a number of
fun activities that allowed the candidates to focus on team
building.
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| We
definitely were not kidding about the wigs. |
Eighty-four candidates were broken down into 12 teams of seven,
each required to produce a commercial promoting an AJGA event.
Props such as banners, crazy clothes, wigs (including mullets)
and other odds and ends were at the candidates’ disposal.
Needless to say, some may indeed have a future in advertising,
while others may want to stick with the golf thing.
Teams were also required to conjure up a way to drop an egg
from the AJGA’s balcony to the parking lot below without
it cracking. Using balloons, cotton and a plethora of other
items, candidates constructed a number of unique designs in
the hopes of landing their egg safe and sound. Some worked.
Most didn’t. One thing was for sure: the staff had plenty
of clean-up duty afterwards.
In addition to all of these activities, five guest speakers
were brought in to provide insight into the golf industry and
the benefit of getting involved with the AJGA. Gayle Champagne,
winner of the 2006 Digger Smith Award, brought her unique mix
of humor and experience to the table in an address to the candidates
Friday night. PGA TOUR Tournament Directors and former AJGA
employees Mark Brazil and John Kaczkowski expanded upon the
success of their events and their time at the AJGA. Ann Cain
of the Acushnet Company spoke about what inspires her in her
work in the golf industry. Leilani Bagby, Assistant to the President
at the USGA, spoke of her experiences as a player in AJGA events,
offering perspective from the other side of the ropes.
However, Intern Recruiting Weekend wouldn’t have been
complete without an AJGA tradition, Saturday Night Trivia. Emceed
by AJGA Chief Communications Officer Rob Coleman, candidates
and staff members were broken into teams of six and took their
best shot at trivia ranging from sports facts to movie quotes.
The last-place team was awarded for their efforts with complimentary
dunce caps. Meanwhile, the evening ended with Coleman breaking
into uncontrollable, yet hilarious, impersonations of famous
movie quotes.
Whew! As you can tell, it has been a busy time at the AJGA.
Soon enough though, we’ll be back conducting our traveling
road show. Look for us in April in a city near you! |
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