Forethoughts: The K-Y of Commerce

Jon Rizzi | Colorado AvidGolfer

Golf is good business. Given my profession, that statement might qualify me as Master of the Obvious.

But I have 108 reasons to support this observation. I’m referring to the number of pages (including covers) of this issue, making it the largest since our 10th Anniversary edition in April 2012. It’s also 26 percent larger than last year’s Fall issue. Although autumn golf is beautiful in Colorado, it isn’t exactly peak playing season, so you are looking at quite an achievement. Our clients clearly understand the value of reaching the Colorado market.

I don’t involve myself on the sales side. It compromises CAG’s editorial integrity to do so. So I steer clear, which is probably good thing because I doubt I could sell hamburger to a hungry dog. But when the recession hit a few years ago, I moonlighted by selling my friend’s homemade jams at farmer’s markets. I did surprisingly well, especially whenever a customer walked up wearing a golf polo or hat. After a nice chat, I would send him or her home with a case of boysenberry preserves, proving that even away from the course, golf is good business.

Not so long ago, however, on-course networking and deal-making took something of a black eye. There was lobbyist Jack Abramoff ’s golf boondoggle to St. Andrews and the “improbable consistency of scores” posted by swindler Bernie Madoff, who purportedly played to a 12—the same rate of return he promised investors. President Obama has taken heat for the amount of business he conducts on the golf course—even though his 30 rounds per year will never approach the 800 rounds Dwight D. Eisenhower tallied during his administration.

Another president—Josh Kroenke of the Colorado Avalanche—clearly knows the value of golf as a business lubricant. After he and Executive VP of Hockey Operations Joe Sakic played a round with Patrick Roy in Florida, they announced the legendary goaltender will coach the team for which he won two Stanley Cups. Read thecover story here.

This issue also features short profiles of 14 prominent members of the Colorado business community for whom golf provides a unique, four-hour opportunity to acquaint themselves with prospective partners, clients, vendors and employees—and to build, cultivate and fortify existing relationships. In one way or another they all subscribe to Ring Lardner’s famous axiom that “18 holes of golf will teach you more about your foe or partner than will 18 years of dealing with him across a desk.”

Last month taught another lesson about golf being good business, as the Solheim Cup pumped at least $20 million into the local economy, according to preliminary estimates from the LPGA. Who knows how much of an economic impact the BMW Championship will have when it comes to Cherry Hills next September? Watch the promotional video featuring John Elway, Peyton Manning and Chauncey Billups here.

I know the impact I’d like to see is a Fall issue that’s at least 26 percent thicker than this year’s. Read the full 108 pages below.

Colorado AvidGolfer is the state’s leading resource for golf and the lifestyle that surrounds it. It publishes eight issues annually and proudly delivers daily content via www.coloradoavidgolfer.com. Jon Rizzi is the founding editor and co-owner of this regional golf-related media company producing magazines, web content, tournaments, events and the Golf Passport.