The State of Golf - 2018

Rock and roll will never die and golf will always be the sport of comradery. As the first four months of the year fade in the rear view mirror golf has come alive with a vengeance.   Let’s review this waking trend;

• Top Golf and the PGA Tour are partners in growing the sport the unconventional way – away from the golf course and adding loud music, beverages and fun for all ages.

• Tiger Woods is healthy again and more importantly competitive.

• Phil Mickelson wins the WGC Mexico event at the age of 47. -Jason Day and Bubba Watson win. -Pat Perez wins and brings a bit of John Daly brash attitude to the game.

• The young guns are more exciting than ever; -Justin Thomas won the PGA Championship and keeps on winning -Jordan Spieth stays competitive and the 2018 version of Arnold Palmer – the world ambassador for the game of golf. -Dustin Johnson is bombing it again. -Jon Rahm is the real deal

• The Masters raises the bar of excitement. -Tiger returns and makes the cut. -Tiger and Phil play practice rounds together. -Jack Nicklaus grandson scores a hole in on during the Par 3 course. -Jordan Spieth shoots 8 under on the final day to finish 3rd place and make the tournament exciting. -Patrick Reed wins his 1st major – yes I would say one of the top 5 golfers. -AND – The Masters announces it will host the inaugural World Women’s Amateur Tournament the week before the Masters in 2019.

These are signs of revival just like the winter snow giving way to green grass and vibrant trees coming to life. As the game awakens and attracts new fans and players we must pass on the most precious element of the game – Comradery.  It’s not the score, it’s not how far you hit it, and it’s not the 35 foot birdie putt.  No those are the talking points of friendship.  Golf is the time together with your father, son, wife, daughter, boss, friend and stranger.  It’s the conversation, laughter, stress, joy and humility the walk in the park provides.  So when the last putt drops please enjoy a beverage and rekindle the conversation and comradery that makes golf the greatest game of all.   Please pass it along.