Greeting Fellow Members,
Happy Holidays! We hope you enjoy this newsletter. We made some changes with the membership committee to help better serve you and more publications are forthcoming to track your interests and generate better content.
Look for information on the forum or our next news letter about the FYICG "For Your Information Clubmakers Guild" a classified publication of Forum tidbits, For Sale ads, Wanted ads. and General Information about the guild. And, if you're planning on attending the January PGA Expo look to our next letter too. In time these newsletters will contain more and more articles of interest as well as information to what's happening with your Guild.
As always, we appreciate your support and your comments are always welcomed!
ICG Annual Meeting
An effort put forth by the Membership Committee with member George Sigetti Taking the lead in holding the International Clubmaker Guilds Annual Meeting at the PGA Show in Orlando this year.The ICG is now a recognized partner association by Reed Exhibitions and the 2010 PGA Merchandise Show. Besides the PGA of America, there are only 21 other such organizations worldwide. The ICG has been granted our own meeting area in the Industry Association Lounge for the entire PGA Show. The location is Hall D on the second floor, Meeting Rooms 224-229. The Lounge is open am to 7pm daily. Complimentary refreshments will be available to ICG members.
The ICG is now also listed on the official 2010 PGA Show website as a partner organization. There is a direct link to our website; click on our name and you are taken to the ICG website. The PCS is no longer listed. Neither AGCP nor IPAC is included in this prestigious list of organizations. The GCA is the only other clubmaking organization included in this listing.
All ICG members are encouraged to attend, we will be contacting sponsors interested in meeting with members as well as soliciting anyone interested in presenting to our group. Keep an eye out for a "Going to the Show" thread in the forum for opportunities to partner up, travel together, share rooms, play golf etc.
The International Clubmakers Guild Has Credibility
Credibility is enhanced by the willingness of industry players to associate themselves with an organization.In it's first year of existence, the ICG has that credibility. We did by starting off with a pretty good line up of industry players who's sponsorship support the ICG.
When you look at component suppliers SMT Golf, Geek Golf, Infiniti Golf, Weszty Golf, Hireko Golf, Louisville Golf, EIDOLON Golf and The GolfWorks, clubmakers have multiple options to chose from that feature the latest in high quality designs of irons, drivers, fairway woods, hybrids and putters out there.
We also have industry players like myOstrich Golf along with the The GolfWorks that provide everything you need to assemble your high quality custom clubs, and when your looking for club repair necessities Billy Bob's Golf has always been a great source as the go to guy.
In shafts we have SK Fiber lines whose shafts are recognized by many of the world's best club fitters and equipment manufacturers as the most consistent graphite shafts in the industry and if you looking for the latest in OEM shafts myOstrich Golf, The GolfWorks, Geek Golf, Hireko and SMT Golf can provide them to us as well.
In grips we have two new companies, Pure Grips with it's all weather lines of grips and Dominant Golf with it's Jumbomax's oversize grip technology. Of course you can always take advantage of SMT Golf's custom grip program that prints just about anything you want on a grip for a very low cost.
With help in custom fitting aids we have Balance Certified Golf, a revolutionary technology that optimizes every club in the bag by allowing you to put the correct amount of mass in the correct location. Markit Golf has a fitting aid that enables you to determine and evaluate your impact conditions by connecting shot results with club face at impact.
We also have software technologies with the likes of Optimal Flight, a world class golf ball flight trajectory analysis and reporting software that helps custom fitters understand ball flights and how they can be optimizes.
In fitting tools to assist in fitting to sell clubs and shaft equipment, we have Sport Sensors with it's portable radar speed sensor and FlightScope the world's first-ever 3D tracking radar ball-flight and launch monitor system, and to round this great selection of sponsors we have a complete software solution for your clubmaking business with Golf Shop Rates a must have for operating a successful clubmaking business.
From top drawer components to tools that increase our ability to provide equipment that fits to new and innovative products, we have them all here supporting our guild and providing great opportunities for members.
Sponsor Specials and deals are posted in the Sponsors Spotlight section of the forum, so log on and see what our Sponsors are offering each week.
Sign Up Now
The ICG Clubmaker and Repair Certification Exams are online and ready to roll. The tests consists of an online test followed by a hands on skills test. The costs for the test is $150. Once you have paid for your exam you may enroll in our online Certification Testing and Training System. More information about the test can be found on the ICG Certification page. A Sample Exam is available if you would like a taste of what certification testing is all about. Candidates who pass the Written and Skills exam will receive a certificate of certification by the ICG along with an option to purchase a Plaque. Currently there are 5 members involved in taking the certification Exam.
Members Making A Difference
David Eagar, BoD member and owner of ESI Golf, just completed a neat little project using Google maps.
This map will prove to be a great tool in planning meetings and conferences as well as helping chapter coordinators and members figure out where everyone is located. It's also great to see that the ICG is well on its way to become the international organization we envisioned it to be.
By the way, the map not only allows your customers to find you but it also allows for driving directions to your place of business.
So the next time a customer asks "where you located?" send them to the Google Map Link ( http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en...745393,360&z=2 )find your name on the list and get directions.
The ICG Google Map is a unique member benefit and a great example of how members make a difference for fellow members.
Thanks Dave.
Membership Committee member Bob Swets of Noswetgolf has just completed the categorization of all members to their appropriate chapter. This listing will be very helpful to chapter coordinators to easily identify members in their chapters. This listing along with David Eagar's Google Map will make all guild members easier to find and less troublesome than searching through the entire membership directory. This file is available to chapter coordinators.
Thanks Bob
It the hope of the membership committee that more and more members step up and make an attempt to add to our Online Resource Library with both written how to tips and how to video's.
Renewal Notices Coming Soon
The ICG membership renewal process will be starting soon for members who signed up in 2008 and January of 2009 so please be on the lookout for your renewal notice coming to you soon. The Internet Committee is finalizing those notifications now, for online renewal.
Again, We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your support in 2009 and hope that you have found your membership to be valuable. We look forward to your continued support and participation while we invite you to renew your membership.
Thank you for being part of the ONLY independent, member owned and operated clubmaking group in the world.
Please take a moment and contact me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to let me know your thoughts.
Sincerly,
Ron Rizio
Membership Committee Chairman
