HAMBURG, N.J. -- Golf course owners and management from throughout the state will gather at the inaugural New Jersey Golf Course Owners Association (NJGCOA) Conference, Oct. 7, to discuss critical issues impacting the industry during the current recession. The conference educational sessions will explore improvements for operations and profitability, issues such as sales taxes, water allocations and relationships with state and local government, and customer relationship management, helping to enhance this popular sport and leisure recreation which plays a leading role in New Jersey's hospitality industry.

The conference, to be held at the Grand Cascades Lodge, a Crystal Springs Resort in Hamburg, Sussex County, is preceded on Oct. 6 by the NJGCOA's 8th Annual Fall Classic at the Ballyowen Golf Club, named as one of the Top 50 public golf courses in the U.S. by Conde Nast's GolfWorld Magazine and 15th among the 50 most popular courses in the U.S. by Zagat.

"The issues that affect the golf industry are faced by every public and private club in New Jersey, and the current economic environment is not just a national problem, it's hitting right here at home," said Matthew Galvin, NJGCOA president. "The conference will present answers to these challenges, along with a wealth of creative ideas that will help the golf industry throughout the state by our working together."

Conference seminars include a presentation by Michael Hughes, executive director of the National Golf Course Owners Association, who will discuss advocacy initiatives being addressed in Washington, and Joel Moore, president of NJGCOA's New Jersey Political Action Committee, who will discuss issues and efforts underway in Trenton. Matt Mulhall, a professional groundwater and geologic consultant, will present a talk on obtaining golf course irrigation water sources and permits, and nationally recognized financial planner Richard Silva will discuss strategies for large land owners to maximize land uses, protect assets and solutions in land-rich, cash-poor situations. NJGCOA board member Teddie O'Keefe, ,a marketing and public relations consultant who for 30 years has worked with the golf and hospitality industry nationwide, will discuss customer relations and how the customer experience directly impacts the bottom line.

The NJGCOA, founded in 1994, represents more than 75 public and private courses in the Garden State, informing and providing club owners with the tools needed to be more profitable, more efficient and ultimately, more successful, furthering the growth and development of the game of golf. The association is the state affiliate of the NGCOA, which has a membership of thousands of public and private clubs coast to coast.

For registration information on the NJGCOA Conference and 8th Annual Fall Classic, contact Donna Talley, NJGCOA Executive Director, at 609-653-0403, ext. 115, or visit on-line, www.njgcoa.org

CONTACT:
Teddie O'Keefe, O'Keefe PR Consulting
tokeefe@teddieokeefe.com or
609-653-0403 ext. 104