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 Subject : Why the ICG.. 09/21/2014 06:06:37 AM 
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Welcome to the ICG's new Website.
The ICG is the largest International Clubmakers Organization. We are member owned, member run, non-profit organization dedicated to the Clubmakers of the world. Being non-profit our memberships dues are a mere $75 per year and our members benefit from:

Certification in Clubmaking
Certification in Fitting (coming spring of 2015)
Monthly or more interactive Webinars with the elite of the Golfing world.
Presence at the annual PGA Show.
Member and Public Forums for connecting both socially and professionally.
Free Business Advertisement (Global Locator Map)
Exposure in Social Media (Facebook over 4,000 likes, Twitter and Linked In)
Sponsor associated exposure and discounts.

Most importantly, we are thriving and growing.

ARE YOU A MEMBER YET?
 Subject : Re:Why the ICG.. 09/21/2014 03:15:22 PM 
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Mr. President (in case folks don't know, Eddie Smith is the ICG President),

I'd add to your comments that our dues structure is so reasonable because we have a virtual home. We do not have a brick and mortar and staff to support. When we need professional assistance in something beyond the expertise or available time of our volunteers, we outsource it (e.g., our web site's new CMS, MMS software, and google maps).

Folks shouldn't think our super reasonable dues structure indicates a lesser product. IMHO we are golf's imminent international club fitting and club making organization.

We have a solid core of volunteers and organized leadership that are kicking us into high gear. It'll only get better as the organization and the core of energetic volunteers grow.
Last Edited On: 09/21/2014 03:18:51 PM By
 Subject : Re:Why the ICG.. 10/27/2014 02:07:57 PM 
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My name is Eric Ng and i look after ICG development in the Asia. I have been a member since the day ICG was formed and we are heading towards exciting times.

The ICG will not only provide you with valuable information on club making, fitting and business development, It is also a circle where club makers from all over the world can come together and interact.

In tha past few months, i have made friends from Spain to Germany and from the east coast to the west coast of the USA. Every month you will also get to attend webinar's from the captain of industry and you will learn a great deal about what it takes to be in the golf business, particularly the fitting business.

Through ICG, you can also take the test to become an ICG certified club maker.

If you are in Asia and you want to know more, please drop me a message or email at eric.ng@bigfishes.com or simply call me at (65) 64712272.

Sincerely yours,

Eric Ng
Singapore
 Subject : Re:Why the ICG.. 11/24/2014 06:09:24 PM 
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Here my observation why ICG could/should be the winner over the competition:
It is an organisation, not a one man company.
It is "International" taking into consideration that for some members English is not their native tongue.
The get together at the Orlando show is a very logical and efficient.
Most probably I forgot some points.
Theo
 Subject : Re:Why the ICG.. 11/24/2014 07:15:45 PM 
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icgworldmap.jpgTheo,

Thanks for the kind words. Our current Google map shows the international representation of our members (over 20% live and work outside North America).

Other reasons to join:

1) We’re the largest club making/ fitting organization in the golf industry. We’ve grown 10% since the new Board of Directors took over in March, which is an amazing accomplishment considering the state of the world wide economy. The quality of our membership is second to none, with numerous Golf Digest Best 100 Clubfitters, 25% of all Callaway Proponent dealers, and clubfitters who have worked at the top level of the professional game including yourself, Jeff Shuster, Gene Fulton, Jamie McCormack and many others.

2) We are the most “liked” clubfitting/making organization in the industry. Our Facebook page is growing daily. Our posts are actually leading to prestigious high volume shops joining the ICG. It has become an inexpensive way to develop our brand and grow awareness of our mission.

3) Our live, recorded and close captioned webinars have become the hallmark of continuing education and professional development for clubfitters/makers. Their quality is another “value added” that is growing the membership;

4) Our new world class web site (which doubles as both our CMS and MMS) with interactive Google Maps, forums, webinar and resource repository, is unshackling our talented group of volunteers to drive the organization forward. Frank Viola’s accomplishments are well known, but look at some of Alvaro Perez’ and Mathieu Henras’ recent contributions (as seen in our recent Clubfitters Digest);

5) Our new clubfitting certification is being drawn from real world case studies provided by top club fitters like yourself, from our industry leading sponsors, our webinars, and traditional sources which are still relevant. The new testing environment will include videos and pictures, which will bring to life the analysis of real swing data and golf swing videos. The Clubfitters Certification will be debuted at the PGA Show. It simply will not be possible to become Clubfitter Certified by reading book(s). Additionally, ICG members and sponsors are giving a fresh update to the Clubmaker Certification before moving it to our new education software;

6) Our Clubmaker of the Year (COY) awards will give members a way to promote themselves and the ICG, and hopefully will encourage future certification and participation by other members. Our first annual COYs have been announced with the Worldwide COY to be announced at the PGA Show;

7) We have the largest amount of sponsors in the golf industry. Our sponsors not only help to financially support our mission, they also provide great deals to our members, as well as help with our continuing education and professional development programs;

8) Our unprecedented participation at the PGA Show Demo Day. No clubmaking/fitting organization has ever participated at the Demo Day. The ICG believes that this investment will expose our mission to thousands of potential members. Alongside with our three day series of workshops, keynote, award presentations, we will aggressively look to fill in the map with top quality clubfitters/makers and those who want to become one. We’ll have 10 ICG sponsors (nearly triple the amount last year) participating at the Show on our demo day and in our meeting room (W209B which is one of OCC’s premier locations We’re sure that our success in January will help grow our sponsor list as well.

To summarize, Eddie Smith has talked about the trifecta that will grow our membership in January: PGA Demo Day and Meeting Room, COY awards, and our new Certification. And Frank Viola has coined my favorite new phrase: “Join now and talk golf with some of the smartest fitters and builders in the world. Want something different and not more of the same? Just remember that we are not your grandfathers" club maker / fitter group Come and join! We promise that you'll like us.”

I’m sure I’m missing reasons also Theo. The picture changes daily. It’s an exciting time for the ICG.
Last Edited On: 12/16/2014 03:23:40 AM By
 Subject : Re:Why the ICG.. 11/24/2014 07:53:15 PM 
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Jacques,

That was probably the most solid, well thought out pieces I have read in a while. All of those reasons really lock it down. We ARE the PREMIER choice for Club making/club fitting organizations. After reading this I don't know why anyone would hesitate to join because of all the value added benefits to becoming an ICG member.
 Subject : Re:Why the ICG.. 11/24/2014 08:59:25 PM 
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I think reading all the reasons that Jacques and other have written, it is obvious that every clubmaker should be interested to be a member, but I'm asking myself and find no answer:
If you're a professional clubmaker, Why're not a member yet? I see no reason.
 Subject : Re:Why the ICG.. 11/24/2014 10:38:12 PM 
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In the few years I've been an ICG member, I've learned a lot and have enjoyed the dialogue in the forum. I look forward to meeting many of you at the PGA show in January.
One note of concern though... I detect a serious push to grow the organization, and I have to wonder what's behind that. Organizational expansion and growth for its own sake is an unwise approach, especially for what amounts to a not-for-profit volunteer and international organization like ICG. Organizations can get big fast, and the membership starts to serve it, rather than the other way around. This needs to be avoided. It might be better to attract the right kind of new member more organically, by virtue of the good programs and service the ICG offers, instead of by overt promotion.

My other concern is that ICG not evolve into a two-level hierarchical organization, with a broad membership at one level, and a smaller group of certified clubmakers at another. In my opinion, the potential for this already exists to some extent. For example, only certified clubmakers can be considered for clubmaker of the year. In my view this is unfortunate. Its kind of like saying that the only good movies are made in Hollywood. We all know that is not true. The danger is that this smaller group will begin to think of themselves, and then project themselves, as elites, and become a group of clubmaker snobs. Its a slippery slope. It happens in other fields of endeavour. (Movie-making included). As Jacques says, IMHO, its something to watch out for and guard against.
 Subject : Re:Why the ICG.. 11/24/2014 11:57:35 PM 
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Hi Jacques (and all!)
Been a long time since I have posted anything as I have been busy, but I am around! Finishing up my 6th "record year" in a row! It CAN be done boys! Depressed economy, depressed industry, call it what you want, I'm still rocking!

Theo! Great to see you in the ICG! Guys, Theo is one sharp cookie! The ICG is lucky to have someone of his caliber on board.

Said it a few years ago and I'll say it again .......... the ICG, to me, was a "diamond in the rough" and from what I have been reading the last few months, sounds like the diamond has been cut to some serious value and starting to get polished! Well done guys!

Just wanted to say "hey", been a while, great post Jacques, and it looks like I will see many of you at my 2nd PGA Show (ever) this January, as I will be spending quite a bit of time in the ICG Room!

See you soon!
 Subject : Re:Why the ICG.. 11/25/2014 12:01:05 AM 
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Good night guys, I think if I served my opinion that in all our work is a passion. The. Problem is that growth must be slow gradually feel important. That makes feel they have a Clubmaker that makes your clubs is a symbol of excellence and high quality products. would lo.que is looking to sign agreements and trademarks are able to obtain the individual components to assemble us the material. Like we do with premium brands. I would keep growing day by day and work as I have done so far, word of mouth. But if I want that we can all benefit from agreements with brands and be all privileged and have those advantages that have no other Clubmakers not certified by the ICG. In my island there are many who make up sticks and leave bad name in our profession and what I ask you to do something that sets us apart while continuing to work very well and in line to have excellence as a way of working. Is my humble opinion, I hope you can serve
 Subject : Re:Re:Why the ICG.. 11/25/2014 12:16:56 AM 
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Brian Wilkes Wrote on 11/24/2014 05:38:12 PM:
In the few years I've been an ICG member, I've learned a lot and have enjoyed the dialogue in the forum. I look forward to meeting many of you at the PGA show in January.
One note of concern though... I detect a serious push to grow the organization, and I have to wonder what's behind that. Organizational expansion and growth for its own sake is an unwise approach, especially for what amounts to a not-for-profit volunteer and international organization like ICG. Organizations can get big fast, and the membership starts to serve it, rather than the other way around. This needs to be avoided. It might be better to attract the right kind of new member more organically, by virtue of the good programs and service the ICG offers, instead of by overt promotion.

My other concern is that ICG not evolve into a two-level hierarchical organization, with a broad membership at one level, and a smaller group of certified clubmakers at another. In my opinion, the potential for this already exists to some extent. For example, only certified clubmakers can be considered for clubmaker of the year. In my view this is unfortunate. Its kind of like saying that the only good movies are made in Hollywood. We all know that is not true. The danger is that this smaller group will begin to think of themselves, and then project themselves, as elites, and become a group of clubmaker snobs. Its a slippery slope. It happens in other fields of endeavour. (Movie-making included). As Jacques says, IMHO, its something to watch out for and guard against.

Brian, all,

The ICG is entirely a Non-Profit Organization, with continuing education, certification and the promotion of the craft at heart. The ICG Clubmaker of the year was created with two things in mind, promoting the certification/education process and promoting the ICG as an organization. As an organization that promotes education and certification, it is only logical to give an ICG COY Award to an ICG Certified Clubmaker. That said, there is no intention to make a requirement to become ICG Certified as a course of Membership.

On the topic of growth and promotion, other than the COY no new projects have been added. The ICG always had a Facebook page, did the PGA Show and had a website. There is just a more concerted effort to make these projects not only successful, but the flagship for how a clubmaking organization should run. The work on this ideal, is just starting to bear fruit. Membership is up, Sponsorship is up, our forums are now multi-lingual, certifications this year have doubled (+/-) and our Webinars/Continuing Education are unparalleled.

Lastly, Brian you are the right kind of member. We need honesty like yours, thanks for keeping us on the right track.
Last Edited On: 11/25/2014 12:23:00 AM By
 Subject : Re:Re:Why the ICG.. 11/25/2014 12:25:36 AM 
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Bill Weitzel Wrote on 11/24/2014 06:57:35 PM:
Hi Jacques (and all!)
Been a long time since I have posted anything as I have been busy, but I am around! Finishing up my 6th "record year" in a row! It CAN be done boys! Depressed economy, depressed industry, call it what you want, I'm still rocking!

Theo! Great to see you in the ICG! Guys, Theo is one sharp cookie! The ICG is lucky to have someone of his caliber on board.

Said it a few years ago and I'll say it again .......... the ICG, to me, was a "diamond in the rough" and from what I have been reading the last few months, sounds like the diamond has been cut to some serious value and starting to get polished! Well done guys!

Just wanted to say "hey", been a while, great post Jacques, and it looks like I will see many of you at my 2nd PGA Show (ever) this January, as I will be spending quite a bit of time in the ICG Room!

See you soon!

Bill,

On behalf of the Board and the Committees, Thank You for the kind words, they mean a lot to a hard working group of volunteers.
 Subject : Re:Re:Why the ICG.. 11/25/2014 12:52:31 AM 
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Brian Wilkes Wrote on 11/24/2014 05:38:12 PM:
In the few years I've been an ICG member, I've learned a lot and have enjoyed the dialogue in the forum. I look forward to meeting many of you at the PGA show in January.
One note of concern though... I detect a serious push to grow the organization, and I have to wonder what's behind that. Organizational expansion and growth for its own sake is an unwise approach, especially for what amounts to a not-for-profit volunteer and international organization like ICG. Organizations can get big fast, and the membership starts to serve it, rather than the other way around. This needs to be avoided. It might be better to attract the right kind of new member more organically, by virtue of the good programs and service the ICG offers, instead of by overt promotion.

My other concern is that ICG not evolve into a two-level hierarchical organization, with a broad membership at one level, and a smaller group of certified clubmakers at another. In my opinion, the potential for this already exists to some extent. For example, only certified clubmakers can be considered for clubmaker of the year. In my view this is unfortunate. Its kind of like saying that the only good movies are made in Hollywood. We all know that is not true. The danger is that this smaller group will begin to think of themselves, and then project themselves, as elites, and become a group of clubmaker snobs. Its a slippery slope. It happens in other fields of endeavour. (Movie-making included). As Jacques says, IMHO, its something to watch out for and guard against.

Hi Brian,

I understand your concerns, but you need to realize that the ICG was shrinking. Growing the organization has righted the ship and has brought in talented clubfitters/makers with skill sets that have helped the organization. Look at Frank Viola's photos all over this site and his webinars, Alvaro Perez' recent contributions with graphics, Mathieu's techy contributions, Jerry Hoefling's chairmanship of the COY committee, and so on. An independent volunteer organization needs volunteers to flourish. So going from 200 to 230 in a few months, with a large percentage of those 30 contributing is a good thing - but we need more.

As far as clubmaker snobs, an honest person would say that we have less of that now with fresh blood coming in. And offering serious professional development and continuing education is good for all members, whatever their business model is. As long as it's a la carte and nothing is mandatory, I don't see any issues. You certainly have the smarts and experience to make certification a minor issue. I think you might really enjoy the Clubfitter that's coming out, but whether you chose to take it or not, certification will be mandatory to be considered for COY (and you know I wanted you to run this year).

We're a long way from becoming a bloated organization, and our organically grown products are drawing in solid members. We're just trying to spread the word, and growing the Guild steadily so we can share the work load.
Last Edited On: 12/16/2014 03:26:57 AM By
 Subject : Re:Why the ICG.. 11/25/2014 01:20:41 AM 
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Thanks for the feedback Eddie and Jacques. I appreciate your good points, and that there is this openness for a frank exchange. By the way, if the board or committee chairs need my, or presumably, any member's volunteer assistance, just ask.
 
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