PGA of America CEO Pete Bevacqua is defending the game of golf after last week's release of the National Golf Foundation's annual participation report. In an op/ed on GOLFDIGEST.com, Bevacqua writes the study was "overwhelmingly positive ... despite what a few headline writers saw in the report." It showed a "vibrant sport that maintains a consistent and dedicated following and is continuing to expand its reach." The study showed 2.2 million people started playing golf in '15, a "figure that approaches our record of 2.4 million set at the peak of Tiger Woods' dominance." The number of rounds played increasing 2% is the first jump since '12, which is "not enough, but it is not 'stagnant.'" Meanwhile, golf is "especially strong" among young people. The 3 million junior golfers in '15 is up 500,000 from '10, while the number of participants in PGA Junior League Golf jumped 233% from '13-15. Bevacqua acknowledges the study did show overall golf participation was down from 24.7 million people to 24.1 million. He writes while the drop is "disappointing," it is "well within the statistical margin of error for the study, which was plus or minus 800,000 golfers" (GOLFDIGEST.com, 3/17). Bevacqua also writes a letter to the Wall Street Journal responding to a March 8 article titled, "How Golf Is Failing Its Beginners." Bevacqua writes the article "misses much of the good news," adding golf "isn't mired in the rough." Bevacqua: "Golf faces some challenges, but based on the strength of our player development programs and the skill and commitment of PGA Professionals, I'm confident we'll continue to attract -- and keep -- newcomers" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 3/17).
