Golf is the oldest organized sport in the world and a preoccupation for more than 26 million Americans, according to the National Golf Foundation (NGF) report "A Strategic Perspective on the Future of Golf (see www.ngf.org/opportunities/).

In the report, which projects through 2010 how the sport will fare, NGF says golf participation is growing at 2.6% (as compared to tennis at -4.3% and bowling at 1.1%).

Public golf facilities, too, are highlighted as part of the success story. In 1950 nearly two out of three golf courses were restricted to members and their guests. Today, the ratio has reversed as public access golf courses now represent more than 70 percent of the more than 16, 000 golf facilities in the United States.

In Illinois we welcome two of the newest public golf courses to enter the scene: Lake County Forest Preserves' ThunderHawk Golf Club and the Zion Park District's Shepherd's Crook Golf Course. Located about a mile apart in Lake County, both courses held opening days in 1999 and offer golfers beautiful settings and challenging play. See page 16.

While Tiger Woods and other young players have spurred tremendous growth in the junior golf sector and the seemingly ageless Baby Boomers continue their love of the sport, the NGF report attributes much of the golf industry boom to increases in spending and pricing rather than from growth in numbers of golfers.

On average, each golfer annually spends $1,212 on golf-related products and services (carts, green fees, dues, golf equipment, apparel, food and beverage). Golf merchandise is big business. Ask anyone who attends the annual PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, with its 1,505 exhibitors in a space equivalent to 45 ball fields.

This year Keith Frankland, director of the Woodridge Park District, agreed to be IP&R's "roving reporter" to find what's "hot" in golf merchandise while he walked miles and miles at the show to benefit the bottom line of Woodridge's Village Greens Golf Course. See page 35 for a humorous take on the show and its many wares.

There's so much more in our annual golf issue: six of the best golf outing ideas are shared on page 23; how to know when it's time to renovate your golf club house, page 37; and our annual "Public Golf Guide 2000," page 31. Read, enjoy and play golf! 

ANN M. LONDRIGAN
Editor

4 * Illinois Parks and Recreation * March/April 2000