News and Information
12/24/2009
MGCOA 2009 Awards
FRANKENMUTH, MI - A new award of appreciation was given to George Zimmermann, Vice-President of Travel Michigan for his agency’s efforts to promote golf in the state of Michigan. The Merit Award was presented to Zimmermann from Michigan Golf Course Association, Executive Director, Kate Moore during their annual meeting on December 2, 2009.
Moore cited the award winning “Pure Michigan” national advertising campaign Travel Michigan placed earlier this year as an extraordinary achievement. “There are very few state funded programs that return money to the state” Moore said. Studies show for every one-dollar invested in the ad campaign the state realized $2.86 in tax revenue.
Zimmermann said funding for another nationwide ad campaign has not been appropriated at this time although there are ongoing efforts to do so. He told the golf course owners how much he appreciated their investment in making Michigan America’s Summer Golf Capitol and encouraged them to keep up their efforts to provide top notch golf courses and golf experiences.
The Pure Michigan tourism campaign went national for the first time in 2009 and ran through June on 15 cable channels: Golf Channel, Travel Channel, A&E, Bravo, Style, Fine Living, HGTV, Food Network, TLC, E!, DIY Network, CNN, MSNBC, CNBC and Fox News.
McCann Erickson's Birmingham, Michigan office created the familiar commercials and Moore advocated another campaign for 2010 by asking, “How often have you heard, “Your Trip Begins at Michigan-Dot-Org?” Her reply, “not often enough.”
Travel Michigan is a division of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. The Michigan Golf Course Owners is a Lansing based trade organization providing support to the Michigan golf industry.
The Buick Open was presented with the Matthews Lifetime Achievement award. Presented on behalf of the MGCOA by Jack Berry, The Buick was recognized for its long history of as Michigan’s premiere golf event and the Multimillion dollar donations made to statewide charities over 5 decades. Accepting on behalf of the Buick were tournament director Robb Grainger, Warwick Country Club general manager Rich Fairman and longtime tournament co-chairs Dr. Howard Foote and Ted Addington.
Treetops Resort walked away with another award for their mantle, the Dul Family Player Development Leadership Award. This award, named for the owners of Fox Hills Golf and Country Club, includes a $1500 grant for continuation of a superior and ongoing player development program. Director of golf, Kevin McKinley and Jason Guss (Rick Smith Golf Academy Instructor) were on hand to accept.
Taking the honors as MGCOA Golf Course of the Year, Crystal Mountain Resort and Spa. The Course of the Year Award honors a member in good standing with the MGCOA demonstrating four criteria:
1. exceptional quality of the course
2. exceptional quality of ownership and management
3. outstanding contribution to its community
4. significant contribution to the game
Crystal Mountain Resort is an icon for the state of Michigan’s proud golf industry and the Michigan Golf Course Owners Association proudly presented Brad Dean, director of golf and Rich Schmitt, Vice President at Crystal Mountain Resort & Spa the award.
Since its inception in 1996, the MGCOA Educational Support Foundation has been chaired by Charlie Scott of Gull Lake View Golf Resort in Augusta. Scott was presented with the Lyle Leeke Distinguished Service Award for his contribution to the association and golf industry through forward thinking and innovative leadership of the Foundation and its mission to provide education and advancement of individuals in all areas of the golf industry in Michigan.
The Michigan Golf Business Conference is held annually. Industry education partners, Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association, Michigan Section PGA and the Michigan Golf Course Owners Association collaborate to create an educational and networking experience for the golf industry in Michigan.
