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About GAP

Turning the (Satchel) Page to 2013

It is tradition in the year-end issue for the President to offer comments that review the accomplishments of season. Unfortunately, I will be disappointing the readers once again. Perhaps one of the most accomplished athletes of the last century was baseball pitcher Satchel Paige. Beyond his skills on the field, he was also well known for his simple philosophies about life. I have always taken to heart this famous quote.

“Don’t look back. Something might be gaining on you.”

  So I find myself looking to the future of our sport in this region. Next year, 2013, has the potential of being a banner time for golf. During the second week of June, the eyes of the golf world will be focused on our region when the U.S. Open Championship is contested at Merion Golf Club. I know that the members of Merion have dedicated countless volunteer hours to preparing for this event and all of us should be grateful for their efforts. Thousands of others have volunteered to be marshals during the tournament so it will really be a collaborative effort amongst the local golf community. Our challenge will be to keep the enthusiasm generated by this event from diminishing after the conclusion.

  During the next few years, we will be examining initiatives to grow the level of interest in participating in this game. We want to find ways to attract the youth of our region to give this sport a try. We are aware of the comparative hurdles that make this sport less available than sports like soccer or softball but we also know that among those young people who populate fields on Saturday mornings, more than a few would enjoy playing this great sport. Some of them might also realize that this is a game they can play well beyond the days when soccer and softball no longer are as much fun.
  The Golf Association of Philadelphia does not have a monopoly on the ideas of how to accomplish this so I welcome any thoughts from our thousands of members in this region. I’ll finish this note with one more piece of wisdom from Mr. Satchel Paige.
  “Work like you don’t need the money. Love like you have never been hurt. Dance like nobody’s watching.”
  We hope everyone has a wonderful Holiday season and a great 2013.