STOP THE INSANITY!!!

September 30th, 2011 1:27pm - Posted By: Terry Anton-SNAGDADDY

The "SNAGDADDY", Terry Anton, is featured in this month's Asian Golf Monthly magazine with the following article titled "Stop The Insanity"...the text is below. To view the article, click on this link and go to page 52: http://tinyurl.com/43hxok3

 

 

I have been playing golf for almost 50 years and have watched the game grow and contract for various periods of time.  Globally, golf has been contracting the last few years with no end in sight. Golf is at a critical juncture where actions have to be taken to ensure growth and retention of new players. Golf organizations cannot continue with the same ineffective programming that neither attracts nor retains new players. Albert Einstein once said; “ Doing the same thing over and over again but expecting different results is a sign of insanity”. The insanity has to stop!

 

We can define player development as bringing new players into the game and retaining them at a level of participation that brings them satisfaction and a continued desire to play. This means that we have to have very specific new learner programs that are aimed at both children and adults and progressive programming that enhances the player’s skills and playing ability over the life of their playing days.

 

My company, SNAG® has addressed the needs of player development for more than 10 years. We developed programming that addresses the needs of new learners that includes specialized equipment and curriculum. Our focus has been to create a feeder system into the existing golf market and to double the volume of existing golfers and create a need for new golf facilities. Our programming is born out of vast university research and years of field evaluation. No one else has ever taken the time and effort to find a simple and effective way to make new learners successful regardless of age or gender. We have developed progressions that go beyond our specialized programming and into traditional golf equipment for a consistent learning experience. As a professional who has played on global tours including Asia as well as the U.S. PGA Tour, I clearly understand how to bring talented players from introduction to success at the highest level as well as how to maximize the playing capabilities of the average and below average players.

 

Asia has seen phenomenal economic growth over the last decade, which will give new spending power to an emerging middle and upper class. Golf is a social game that can be played for a lifetime by everyone in a family regardless of age. The industrialized countries have also utilized it effectively as the game for business. More business deals are consummated on a golf course than through any other sport. By developing more golfers, Asia stands to increase more business opportunities and successes for its people.

 

Both long and short-term cost effective strategies have to be implemented to provide for a healthy Asian golf industry. This means that National golf organizations have to look to a different direction to become successful. The long -term strategy has to involve children and the most logical and proven place to address this is in schools. Every Asian country can introduce children to golf for less than $8.00 usd per student. We have proven this in the U.S., Japan, Scotland and many other countries for almost 10 years. SNAG® is in more than 8,000 schools globally and has impacted over 5 million children. That’s less than a sleeve of premium golf balls per child.

 

In the short-term, countries have to focus on adults as well as their families to participate in existing facilities. Golf has to be made affordable and inviting by the existing clubs and golf organizations. This means that golf has to be marketed as FUN! Professional staff members may have to introduce golf in non-traditional venues and at times that meet the needs of busy prospective players. Activities that fit into family budgets have to be conducted to attract them to golf. The choices for everyone’s discretionary funds continue to grow everyday. Golf has to be presented as worthy of those discretionary funds. We assist national golf organizations as well as individual clubs on how all of this can be accomplished.

 

SNAG® is committed to working with national golf organizations, golf professionals, education professionals and committed golfers to grow golf effectively in Asia. The potential for growth in Asia is unrivaled anywhere else in the world. Almost half of the world’s population resides in the Asian region. India has perhaps the most growth potential given their natural resources, educated populace and demand for a socially active game that has strong business connections. The other ASEAN nations have almost as much potential as they have significant natural resources and economic growth. I look forward to discussing specific issues concerning player development in Asia in the coming months and inform you on our progress working with the various Asian golf organizations and groups.

 

 

SNAGDADDY

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SNAG in New Zealand: SNAGDADDY Tells "Why's" Behind SNAG

September 28th, 2011 2:07pm - Posted By: SNAG NZ

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SNAG is going back out on the road and attending high profile events

September 28th, 2011 1:59pm - Posted By: Golf Blogger.co.uk

After highly successful appearances at the Irish and KLM Opens, SNAG (Starting New At Golf) is going back out on the road and will be featured at a number of forthcoming high profile events in the golfing calendar.


Teeing everything off in September is SNAG Ireland, who will be following up their success at the Irish Open by introducing the masses to SNAG at the Solheim Cup to be held at Killeen Castle between September  23rd and 25th .

If you happen to be in Austria between the 22nd and 25th September, you can see SNAG on display at the Austrian Open being held at the Diamond Country Club in Atzenbrugg.

Back in the UK, SNAG will be present at the Golf Show 2011, 25th – 27th October, at the Harrogate International Centre. This is a ‘Trade Only’ event and as well as having an exhibition stand, Scott Cranfield, SNAG Head of Training, will be presenting a seminar titled ‘Life's Hidden Lessons For Junior Golfers ? and you, the coach! Highlighting profound lessons for junior players that can really shape not just their golf but their life. ‘.

Finally, The London Golf Show 2011, November 11th -13th, at Earls Court will see SNAG back on display to the general public, for them to try their hand and experience SNAG.  Also a chance to have a one-2-one demonstration with a SNAG master trainer, or bring along a beginner with you and see if you can finally introduce them to the game of golf with SNAG http://www.londongolfshow.com/golf-home.

Marie Wild, Business Manager at IGD commented: “Previous success at high profile golf events has proved that these are a great way to spread the word about SNAG to the golf industry and public alike. We expect the forthcoming events to continue this trend and we are already looking forward to 2012 to events that are taking place then.”

 

 

http://www.golfblogger.co.uk/post/-snag-starting-new-at-golf-is-going-back-out-on-the-road-and-attending-high-profile-events-472

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New book inspires others through stories of healing broken spirits by teaching individuals with disabilities the game of golf

September 28th, 2011 11:26am - Posted By: Judy

The book is titled “BROKEN TEES AND MENDED HEARTS”

PGA/LPGA Professional Judy Alvarez’s new book inspires others through her stories of healing broken spirits by teaching individuals with disabilities the game of golf

 

For the 20% of people with disabilities* in the United States alone, everyday activities create challenges where others do not encounter them: such as walking up a flight of stairs, driving a car or even playing a round of golf. For PGA/LPGA professional Judy Alvarez, the golf course is the classroom where goals are reached and new chapters are started for individuals with disabilities. In “Broken Tees and Mended Hearts,” Alvarez shares with everyone – disabled and able-bodied people alike – how her work with veterans and civilians with disabilities for years has helped them overcome adversity and gain a new lease on life.

“Golf is much more than just a sport- it is a therapeutic and rehabilitative tool, and can save lives,” said Alvarez. “While this book is about golf and can be used to motivate and inspire individuals with disabilities, it is also about the human spirit and how it overcomes and triumphs over adversity and challenge. My hope is that this book will educate others about the importance of the game of golf to someone who may feel broken in some way, and inspire to get back in the game... both on the course and in life.”

In “Broken Tees and Mended Hearts,” a series of short vignettes come together that each tell a personal, inspirational and touching story of challenges overcome (many with the help of “Coach Alvarez”) out on the golf course. It is a collection of stories for golfers and non-golfers, with or without a disability – there are lessons to be learned and much to be gained from these stories for everyone from all walks of life. Though each story and situation is unique and different, the common threads weave through each chapter of optimism, determination and healing.


“Broken Tees and Mended Hearts” is available for $19.95 through the SNAG Golf website. 50% of all net proceeds will go to support the Wounded Warriors Project (http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/), a charity committed to honor and empower wounded warriors. Click here to purchase the book



About Judy Alvarez

Judy Alvarez, a PGA of America and LPGA Professional, lives in Palm City, Fla., and is a teaching professional at Mariner Sands Country Club in Stuart, Fla. Alvarez is the PGA National Military Golf Trainer for the Wounded Warrior Project and an Adjunct Faculty Member for the PGA of America’s Professional Golf Management Program. She was also honored by the Department of Defense with the Seven Seals Award for her outstanding support of Florida’s National Guard and Reserve forces. She has received the South Florida PGA President’s Plaque Award, been named the LPGA Southeast Section Teacher of the Year and been a member of Golf for Women magazine’s Top 50 Teachers.


For more information, please email visit www.judyalvarez.com.

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Moving article: Bringing joy to young patients thorugh golf

September 22nd, 2011 11:41pm - Posted By: SETH SOFFIAN

This was such a moving story we had to share it...

 

 

 

With golf comes joy, relief
Program brings sport to young patients

Sep. 21, 2011
www.news-press.com

Ila Ramos looked apprehensively through beautiful, dark eyes at the array of multi-colored plastic golf clubs, tennis balls and targets sprawled before her.

From her tiny pink stroller, the Immokalee 5-year-old initially had little reaction to the instructional golf gear on the second floor of The Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida.

Once on her thin, frail legs, though, Ramos suddenly turned aglow when she gave the golf stuff a try.

Spiritedly throwing tennis balls at a Velcro target being quickly moved by golf instructor Mark Hamstra to help make a strike, then later giving the clubs a try, Ramos beamed for a while before fatigue got the better of her.

"They have the play room," said Ila's mother, Melissa Ramos. "But it's nice to have stuff like this."

After successful forays for more than a year into St. Mary's Children Hospital in West Palm Beach and the Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital in Hollywood, the South Florida PGA Foundation brought its new "Smiling Fore Life" program into Southwest Florida for the first time Tuesday.

Instructors Hamstra and Andy Scott, both of Kelly Greens in Fort Myers, taught, played and laughed with a handful of children at the Health Park-based Children's Hospital for more than an hour.

They used SNAG golf equipment, which features plastic clubs with oversized heads and other items to ease introductory instruction.

"Anytime you can get kids to smile, it's always fun, especially in this type of situation," Scott said.

"It's pretty neat to see, even in a hospital setting, you can teach stuff and they can learn. And we just made proof of that today."

After 15-20 minutes of light play, Ila Ramos retreated to her stroller to watch other children at play, which proved just as fun for the girl making the last of her every-three-weeks visits to Health Park for cancer treatments.

Eight-year-old Billy Joel Gracias, a third-grader at Littleton Elementary, was out of bed for the first time Tuesday after severe asthma sent him to the hospital five days earlier.

After tearfully telling his mother the night earlier that he didn't want to stay in the hospital any longer, Gracias was little moved at first by the golf games.

Once given a few key pointers by Scott, though, Gracias also lit up with each airborne strike.

Each successively stronger shot forced Hamstra to shift from trying to complete a connection to the padded, Velcro target to using it to defend himself.

From her stroller, a smiling Ramos couldn't contain her joy at the levity.

Nearby, Gracias' mother praised the joy and motivation to soldier through his hospital stay the program gave her son, who was all grins and high-fives afterward.

"It's been very successful," Meredith Schuler of the South Florida PGA said of the hospital program. "The kids just have a blast. They forget about everything. When you tell them, 'Golf's over,' they don't want to go back to their rooms."

The Healthpark program will start off once a month and increase to weekly or bi-weekly next year, Schuler said. It was held every other week at St. Mary's and DiMaggio's before increasingly to weekly earlier this year.

On the East Coast, one hospitalized child told his parents he did not want to be discharged because golf was the next day, Schuler said.

"There's not a lot of sports they can play if they're hooked up to IVs," Schuler said. "But they make it work. The kids love it."

 

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Southwest Section PGA & SNAG Golf Announce Partnership to Grow Golf

September 22nd, 2011 11:22pm - Posted By: Tiffanie

PRESS RELEASE:

 

 

The Southwest Section PGA has announced its commitment to a long term partnership with SNAG Golf.  In an effort to continue growing the game and adding value to the Play Golf America experience, the Southwest Section PGA has entered into an alliance with SNAG Golf & their representative SNAG Arizona. 

 

The number of people participating in golf continues to drop so it’s of vital importance the PGA Professional takes a leadership position in analyzing and recommending the best strategies to move the industry forward. “The teaching principles and techniques utilized by SNAG Golf are an effective way to develop new players and grow the game”, states Michael Haywood, President of the Southwest Section PGA and member of the PGA of America’s National Board of Directors. “The alliance will be of great benefit for the Section and include through SNAG’s representative, SNAG Arizona, an annual contribution to the Southwest Section PGA Foundation”, states Haywood, “In addition there are multiple opportunities being established for player development training programs to be included in the Southwest Section PGA Education Program.”

 

The Southwest Section PGA is not alone in believing there should be a more concentrated focus on growing the game through initiatives geared towards family and kid friendly golf. “SNAG Golf will be part of our efforts toward a new outlook in player development.  It will be important for the Southwest Section PGA to embrace different vehicles of delivery, while focusing on the key growth strategies of Golf 2.0 as it pertains to new learners in the game,” states Haywood. 

 

“We admire the Southwest Section PGA’s commitment and look forward to a long term partnership toward bringing new golfers to the game successfully in Arizona and Southern Nevada,” stated Terry Anton, Owner & CEO of SNAG Golf.

 

About SNAG® Golf:

SNAG® Golf ('Starting New at Golf') is a proven first touch development program designed for new learners of all ages. It is an easy and fun way to learn and play golf.  SNAG® contains all the elements of golf but in a modified form. It builds on strong fundamentals of putting, chipping, pitching, and full swing to develop playing ability quickly and effectively. SNAG Golf incorporates developmentally appropriate equipment that will allow golf to be learned and played in non-traditional venues, such as on a soccer field, in a gym, or on the beach. It can be taught and played almost anywhere with immediate, positive results. This immediate success keeps new learners wanting to be further involved with golf.

 

The mission of SNAG Golf is to “get people physically active by introducing them to golf in a fun and easy way that encourages a lifetime of positive experiences and relationships; and to address the demographic, geographic, economic and educational barriers that prevent the masses from participating in this lifetime sport”.

 

For more information on SNAG please visit the Pro Website at www.snagpros.com.

 

 

About The Southwest Section PGA:

 The Southwest Section PGA is the 5th largest and one of forty-one sections of the Professional Golfers' Association of America. Its boundaries include the state of Arizona and Clark County, Nevada. Within the Section includes the Southern Nevada Chapter and Southern Chapter to further facilitate programs within those areas. For more information, visit http://southwest.pga.com.

 

 

CONTACT INFORMATION:

SNAG Golf: Tiffanie Ord, 918-453-9993 x3, tiffanie@snaggolf.com

Southwest Section PGA: Michael Haywood, 520-822-6200, michaelhaywood@me.com

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New SNAG video...great job "Golf In HD"

September 17th, 2011 10:42pm - Posted By: Tiffanie

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Video: G-Ball brings golf to kids in Miami-Dade County

September 16th, 2011 10:29pm - Posted By: Tiffanie

This is from SNAG Golf's G-Ball pilot program in Miami, FL. G-Ball can best be described as golf's version of T-Ball, focused on children 5 to 8 years old. It will be conducted by parent-coaches in our parks.


This video illustrates how SNAG is bringing golf to kids that otherwise wouldn't have the opportunity to learn and play this lifetime sport. Our mission is to "To get people physically active by introducing them to golf in a fun and easy way that encourages a lifetime of positive experiences and relationships. To address the demographic, geographic, economic, and educational barriers that prevent the masses from participating in this lifetime sport."

 

For more info on G-Ball, click here: http://www.snaggolf.com/gball.html

Professionals, if you want to go to our Pro website for more info on G-Ball click here: http://www.snagpros.com/gball.html

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SNAG will be at the Solheim Cup next week!

September 16th, 2011 1:23pm - Posted By: Tiffanie

SNAG Golf has been asked to participate and host a family activity area at the Solheim Cup next week!!

Shaun McBride with SNAG Ireland will set up the four SNAG stations (rolling, chipping, pitching, launching) so new learners of all ages can practice and play alongside the Pros. SNAG will be located be in the walled garden at Killeen castle just beside the tented village. The area will be open each day from 10am.

Main page: http://www.solheimcup.com/

Schedule of Events: http://www.solheimcup.com/media/documents/2011_solheim_cup_schedule_of_events.pdf

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