Education and networking for the world’s fastest-growing sport
NEW LENOX, Ill. – The United States Footgolf Association, a non-profit sports organization dedicated to the sport’s growth and developing, is hosting the first national Footgolf Conference, Oct. 2, 2015 in Fort Worth, Texas.
Partnering with the First Tee of Fort Worth, Ben Hogan Learning Center and Rockwood Golf Course, the USFGA National Conference will bring together footgolf players, golf course owners and operators, management companies, along with parks and recreation professionals. The event includes footgolf development and implementation, as well as Q&A, discussions, clinics and demonstrations. Participants of the conference are eligible to earn PGA of America MSR points.
Footgolf follows the same strategy, rules, set-up and etiquette as golf. The game is played with a standard soccer ball with 21-in holes that average 160 yards. In 2012, there were only two golf courses in the United States offering footgolf. This year the number of courses has soared to nearly 500 with some courses generating tens of thousands of dollars in new revenue.
“The rate at which footgolf is growing is some of the biggest news in sports in the past 20 years,” said Carlos Stremi, President of the USFGA. “We are excited to be staging the first national conference to bring the footgolf community together to share best practices, success stories and creative ideas as this unique sport evolves.”
Tony Martinez, PGA Director of Golf at Keeton Park Golf Course in Dallas, has experienced firsthand the benefits of footgolf. As Vice President of Northern Texas PGA and Co-Chair of the PGA Teaching & Coaching Committee, he believes footgolf provides a fun and unique opportunity to attract new players to golf courses while exposing them to traditional golf.
“Footgolf is unique but also familiar to golf course operators. It is a fantastic opportunity to add new revenue and is simple to implement without interfering with the traditional golf experience”, said Martinez. “The sport is attracting families, non-golfers, and overall a more general demographic and has re-energized golf facilities with increased revenues in areas such as food and beverage, events, and outings.”
“For facilities looking to offer short courses, larger holes, fitness activity, faster play, family events, and on-course instruction for new golfers, footgolf is the solution on steroids,” added Martinez.
Since its inception, the USFGA has seen the number of associations nearly double and its membership rising rapidly.
“Our mission is to grow footgolf from the grassroots level and because the USFGA is a non-profit, we ensure that the growth of the sport for players and leagues is our sole purpose and focus,” says Stremi.
Conference attendees can register at http://bit.ly/USFGAConference. For more information, contact us at info@usfootgolf.org.
ABOUT USFGA
The USFGA is a non-profit organization promoting the growth and development of the sport of footgolf in the United States. Our sanctioned State and Regional Associations provide support and expertise to help implement and enjoy this fast growing sport. From footgolf players to golf course operators, we offer complete infrastructure, support, course design & layout services, membership benefits, official equipment, leagues, tournaments, State, Regional & National events, Handicap system and resources for the entire footgolf community. For more information visit www.USFootgolf.org. USFGA National Office – 1400 London Rd. – New Lenox, IL 60451. Phone 312-888-6068.
Contact:
USFGA CONTACT:
Tony Martinez
Director, Texas FootGolf Association
Vice President of PGA North Texas Section
Chairman, PGA Coaching and Education Committee
817-964-1877
MEDIA CONTACT:
Golf Marketing Services
Holly Geoghegan, 321-303-9684
Irlianna Samsara, 352-455-7509
