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News Commentary Opinion
World Golf Hall of Memories
By ED TRAVIS, Editor FrontPageGolf
By ED TRAVIS, Editor FrontPageGolf
A few days before the Induction Ceremony for the 2009 class into the World Golf
Hall of Fame Jack Peter, Senior Vice President and Chief Executive, took the time to
sit down for an interview covering a wide range of topics.
The World Golf Hall of Fame, opened in 1998, is part of the sprawling World Golf
Village development bordering Interstate 95 outside St. Augustine, Fla., and run by
the not-for-profit World Golf Foundation. Support for the Foundation comes from the
world’s golf tours and associations such as the PGA Tour, United States Golf
Association and the Royal and Ancient plus major corporate help from Shell Oil
and Ketel One Vodka.
Hall of Fame Jack Peter, Senior Vice President and Chief Executive, took the time to
sit down for an interview covering a wide range of topics.
The World Golf Hall of Fame, opened in 1998, is part of the sprawling World Golf
Village development bordering Interstate 95 outside St. Augustine, Fla., and run by
the not-for-profit World Golf Foundation. Support for the Foundation comes from the
world’s golf tours and associations such as the PGA Tour, United States Golf
Association and the Royal and Ancient plus major corporate help from Shell Oil
and Ketel One Vodka.
The worldwide recession has most certainly
affected the Hall of Fame however there are
positive signs such as no precipitous drop in
visitors. In fact Peter points out with some
pride that the number of visitors is the same
this year as last which probably represents a
victory of sorts when compared to other
attractions.
In keeping with the times, there have been no
staff increases but at the same time no staff
cuts or layoffs have been necessary though
some tasks normally done in-house have
been assigned to outside contractors. On the
other side of the ledger an ongoing and active
fund raising program targeting endowments
and individual donors continues to be high on
the priority list. Summing up Peter said,
“Looking at the long haul we will overcome any
economic problems but it is forcing us to be
more creative with the resources we have.”
Peter is also is moving to put more emphasis
on the ‘world’ part of the World Golf Hall of
Fame name, that is, taking the Hall’s story and
one-of-kind golfing treasures on the road to
both golf and non-golf venues.
affected the Hall of Fame however there are
positive signs such as no precipitous drop in
visitors. In fact Peter points out with some
pride that the number of visitors is the same
this year as last which probably represents a
victory of sorts when compared to other
attractions.
In keeping with the times, there have been no
staff increases but at the same time no staff
cuts or layoffs have been necessary though
some tasks normally done in-house have
been assigned to outside contractors. On the
other side of the ledger an ongoing and active
fund raising program targeting endowments
and individual donors continues to be high on
the priority list. Summing up Peter said,
“Looking at the long haul we will overcome any
economic problems but it is forcing us to be
more creative with the resources we have.”
Peter is also is moving to put more emphasis
on the ‘world’ part of the World Golf Hall of
Fame name, that is, taking the Hall’s story and
one-of-kind golfing treasures on the road to
both golf and non-golf venues.
Peter continued, “And third is to develop the Hall of Fame brand strategy and
marketing going forward. We are very stingy with our brand recognition and we turn
down lots of the things shown us because we think we need to be consistent with
how we are seen by the public.”
There are a number of projects, both under way and in development, they are
working diligently on according to Peter, “After all we are not thinking of it as a
money making company, we are nonprofit but we need to keep advancing to our
goals and that requires revenue.”
marketing going forward. We are very stingy with our brand recognition and we turn
down lots of the things shown us because we think we need to be consistent with
how we are seen by the public.”
There are a number of projects, both under way and in development, they are
working diligently on according to Peter, “After all we are not thinking of it as a
money making company, we are nonprofit but we need to keep advancing to our
goals and that requires revenue.”
| Jack Peter, Senior Vice President and CEO of the World Golf Hall of Fame |
| The World Golf Hall of Fame in St. Augustine, Fla. |
In light of the global economic
conditions and golf’s lack of growth
specifically, when asked about the future
for the Hall of Fame Peter shrugged,
“Our crystal ball is about as clear as
anyone’s.” That however doesn’t mean
he and his staff aren’t working hard and
in fact, “2010 will be the second year of
our Phase III plan. We’ve gone a long
way in the years we’ve been open but
we look at future work like a three-
legged stool.”
“The first leg is to continue to engage
Hall of Fame members more in
activities – fund raising and
development and integrate with other
Foundation initiatives like the First Tee.
Besides being great golfers they’re all
great people and we want to get them
even more involved. Second is to
enhance the guest experience at the
Hall of Fame and especially the web or
virtual experience. Video, audio, social
media and even chat sessions with Hall
of Fame members.”
conditions and golf’s lack of growth
specifically, when asked about the future
for the Hall of Fame Peter shrugged,
“Our crystal ball is about as clear as
anyone’s.” That however doesn’t mean
he and his staff aren’t working hard and
in fact, “2010 will be the second year of
our Phase III plan. We’ve gone a long
way in the years we’ve been open but
we look at future work like a three-
legged stool.”
“The first leg is to continue to engage
Hall of Fame members more in
activities – fund raising and
development and integrate with other
Foundation initiatives like the First Tee.
Besides being great golfers they’re all
great people and we want to get them
even more involved. Second is to
enhance the guest experience at the
Hall of Fame and especially the web or
virtual experience. Video, audio, social
media and even chat sessions with Hall
of Fame members.”
Previously the Hall has set up exhibits overseas at the Ryder Cup venue in Ireland and
the Open Championship and plans are being made to expand the number of these
traveling showcases. On the list of possible locations is the 2011 President’s Cup in
Melbourne, Australia. Additionally there have been discussions other museums such
as the Eisenhower Library to send exhibits aimed at the general public both to show off
a particular person or aspect of the game but also to create more exposure for the Hall
of Fame.
Finally, after a hiatus of more than 100 years, golf has been accepted as an Olympic
sport starting with the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro. Peter is very upbeat about the
effect of this international exposure will have on the game around the world and, “The
Hall of Fame should have a to-be-determined role at the Olympics. We can see us
having an exhibition in Rio and it could be a very big deal for the Hall.”
the Open Championship and plans are being made to expand the number of these
traveling showcases. On the list of possible locations is the 2011 President’s Cup in
Melbourne, Australia. Additionally there have been discussions other museums such
as the Eisenhower Library to send exhibits aimed at the general public both to show off
a particular person or aspect of the game but also to create more exposure for the Hall
of Fame.
Finally, after a hiatus of more than 100 years, golf has been accepted as an Olympic
sport starting with the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro. Peter is very upbeat about the
effect of this international exposure will have on the game around the world and, “The
Hall of Fame should have a to-be-determined role at the Olympics. We can see us
having an exhibition in Rio and it could be a very big deal for the Hall.”