WHAT WE WISH FOR GOLF AS THE WORLD LOOKS FORWARD TO A BETTER YEAR
2020 has been a year like no other, at least in living memory for most of us.
As the Covid-19 pandemic swept the world like an invisible Tsunami, humankind was forced not only to change but reflect on its very existence on this planet we call home. A natural correction, some say. More like a wake-up call for me.
Staying away from philosophical and religious rhetoric, Covid-19 reminded us that all of mankind’s creations are temporary. Those of us who play the Royal & Ancient Game should be thankful that we can continue to indulge in the sport we love, albeit while adhering to the new normals. As old as it is, golf still started out as a human pastime, evolving over the centuries into the multi-billion-dollar industry it is today.
The golf industry can be split into three main categories – the professional game, golf clubs/resorts and golf equipment. All three were hit by the pandemic in varying degrees, depending on factors such as locality, the severity of the pandemic there, and – most crucially – dependence on international travel. While some golf-related businesses have been forced to shut down, most have survived and some even thrived as the game saw a surge in playing numbers due to its inherent social distancing traits and benefits as an outdoor activity.
Presuming the vaccine roll-out and herd immunity finally put paid to the Covid-19 peril, here’s my wish list for golf in 2021:
- The Asian Tour returns with a vengeance following a 2020 season almost totally decimated by the pandemic
- More Malaysian professionals leave our shores to compete, knowing now that they can’t put all their eggs in the single basket of a local circuit
- The local professional circuit morphs into a robust, commercially-driven tour along the lines of the All-Thailand Golf Tour
- A Malaysian professional or amateur wins a high-profile international event
- The relevant bodies pay more attention to the development of the game at the grassroots
- More golf courses open up low-demand tee times to non-member juniors
- All golf clubs start to treat junior members as a treasure and not a liability
- An initiative to conceptualise and develop simple, low-maintenance public golf courses that are truly affordable takes root
- Sandbaggers and cheats are shamed publicly and repent
- The game of golf continues to grow its following worldwide and build the base for all facets of the golf industry
- A resurgent Rory McIlroy wins the Masters and a few other titles to end the year as World No 1
- Tiger Woods rolls back the years – again – and wins the US Open at Torrey Pines for his 16th Major and record-breaking 83rd PGA Tour title.
Wishful thinking perhaps, but one has to dream …
