St. AUGUSTINE, Fla. -- More than 200 golf industry leaders met Nov. 13-14 at the World Golf Hall of Fame in St. Augustine, Fla., for the sixth annual GOLF 20/20 Conference.

This alliance of golf industry leaders applies research and strategic planning to further the industry's knowledge, create new programs and identify areas for the expansion of the game. The two-day symposium began with a look back at where the industry has come since the formation of Golf 20/20 in time in terms of its fan base, participation, rounds played, facility development, retail spending and international growth.

Although the 2002 decline in rounds played has leveled off, participation continues to be the area of greatest concern. However, the fan base for golf has continued to develop and broaden demographically, there are more participants in golf than ever before, retail spending will hit an all-time high in 2005, and international expansion is moving at an unprecedented pace.

The agenda included presentations and roundtable sessions focused on two major issues: golf's Best Customers and Golf and Business.

Also at the conference, the GOLF 20/20 executive board approved plans to look at a new structure for 20/20, and at the establishment of a more formal strategic plan for the next five years. A small leadership council will be convened shortly after the first of the year to develop recommendations for the Executive Board's review.

The Board approved the formation of four new 20/20 task forces focused on Diversity, Player Development, State Alliances and International, joining the existing Task Force on Research.

“The first five years of this process have included a lot of information gathering, program testing and alliance forming,” said GOLF 20/20 Executive Director Ruffin Beckwith. “The timing is right for establishing a new, more proactive agenda and retooling the process in whatever ways are need to achieve the objectives. We have a committed Board of industry leaders, and together we will take this initiative to the next level.”

For more, visit www.golf2020.com.