As the game of golf continues to lose players amid a price war between golf facilities and third party tee time providers, Craig Kessler has one question: "If the demand isn't there, is anything affordable?"That is one of the questions that Kessler, director of government affairs for the Southern California Golf Association, and others will attempt to answer at this year's Symposium on Affordable Golf. The fifth annual event is scheduled for March 31-April San Luis Obispo, Calif.
The event will explore topics including the economics of producing tournament conditions, sustainability and how non-traditional golf courses and learning centers can help drive interest in the game.
Speakers include Mike Huck of Irrigation of Irrigation and Turfgrass Services, Bruce Williams CGCS of Bruce Williams Golf Consulting, Mike McCullough of the Monterey Regional Water Pollution Control Agency and GCSAA CEO Rhett Evans. Also speaking at the event will be golf course architect Andy Staples of Andy Staples Golf, Ted Horton CGCS of ValleyCrest Golf Maintenance, Tom Elliott, CGCS and PGA professional Jim DeLaby of Monarch Dunes Country Club, Ben Hood of Richard Mandell Golf Architecture, Dick Wilhoit and Wes Wilhoit of Estrella Associates and golf course architect Richard Mandel, who began the symposium in 2010.
The Symposium on Affordable Golf was started to raise awareness and understanding of the challenges of the golf industry through open discussion, exchange of ideas that promote the health and sustainability of the game and the business of golf.