PGA's Business Model and Values Keep Golf Cooking

I thought golf might tank with Tiger's woes and the recession. But, it is doing OK. The Economist in a June 9 article says that golf's direct revenues are 25% higher in real terms than in 2001.

I learned from the article (Beyond Tiger) that the business model set up by Deane Beman who headed up the PGA from 1974 to 1994 has been a major reason. He recognized that if a tournament did not help the community, it wouldn't fly with volunteers and corporations. So, he encouraged all PGA Tour events to incorporate as charities. In the past 15 years, the tour has made $1 billion for charity.

Sponsors like the values behind the business model. We have to call penalties on ourselves and be gracious winning or lossing. Thsi is positive news for us younger players.