With the GTWA gang for the first time at the PGA Village in January 2012.
You know when someone says you should do something or join something? Ninety-nine times out of a hundred they are wrong. Not so when Bruce Vittner, the Editor & Publisher of the Southern New England Golfer, told me about the Golf Travel Writers Association (GTWA) and suggested that I apply for membership. The GTWA is an association of the best travel writers, editors, and publishers of state and regional golf magazines, golf columnists, radio and television golf show hosts and golf website operators. Membership in the Golf Travel Writers of America is available to qualified applicants in one of three categories—professional, corporate and resort. GTWA members specialize in writing about golf travel and golf destinations. The mission of the Golf Travel Writers of America is to inform the golfing public and forge relationships between and among its its members. I am happy Bruce made the introduction because the GTWA fits me to a tee!
With Kathie Dyson & Bruce Vittner who well represent the spirit of the GTWA!
Besides Bruce some of the professional members I have come to know are Katharine Dyson, Matt Adams and Alice and Danny Scott. Katharine, according to her bio page, is “an avid golfer who makes up for atrocious putting with an insatiable curiosity for discovery, writes about golf, travel, golf fashion and lifestyle for magazines, newspapers and websites here and abroad.” I can attest to that as we have golfed together numerous times and had the pleasure of indulging in resort spas and dinners too.. She is also the author of “100 Best Romantic Resorts of the World” and “The Finger Lakes Book.”
Matt is a well-known best-selling golf author, PGA Tour Network and satellite radio broadcaster, and regular contributor to the Golf Channel. You know Matt as the award-winning international golf broadcaster on the PGA Tour Network, where he hosts the daily program, Fairways of Life, which is also one of nine books he has published. When I see Matt he is always smiling and gives me a warm handshake. Truly one of the inspirational people in golf!
Playing golf with America’s Golfing Couple in Myrtle Beach near the Wizard’s Castle of Mystic Golf. Guy in the orange cap is my friend Sir Charles Novitske.
Alice and Danny are America’s Golfing Couple. As stated in their bios they are freelance multimedia journalists and travel the world exploring destinations, tours and products. They are founders of Butthead Covers, Inc. (the upside down animal head covers), and they offer coaching on all aspects of business creation, operation and marketing to live “The American Dream.” We have played golf several times and I have yet to be competitive with Danny who has the ultimate ‘A’ game!
As far as corporate members there are none more professional or nicer than Michael Abramowitz, Senior Editor of the The PGA of America. Founded in 1916, The PGA of America is the largest working sports organization in the world, comprised of more than 27,000 dedicated men and women promoting the game of golf to everyone, everywhere. Michael hosted us at PGA Village In Januray 2012 which was my first event with the GTWA.
At Medinah watching the conclusion of the Sunday Singles Matches with Michael Abramowitz.
The PGA Village is the flagship property of the PGA of America in Port St. Lucie, Florida. It is also the ultimate golf resort destination. The 54 holes of championship golf at PGA Golf Club have been masterfully laid out by design legends Tom Fazio and Pete Dye. The cherry on the cake is the state-of-the-art 35-acre PGA Center for Golf Learning and Performance. I love it for the PGA Museum of Golf which contains all of the history of the PGA’s storied existence.
CLICK here for my article entitled ‘PGA of America, More than a Village!‘
With Claude Pardue, President & CEO of Mystic Golf- The Witch, The Wizard & The Man O’War.
Mystic Golf in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina is a resort member of the GTWA. The mystical man behind the curtain is Claude Pardue who owns and manages three of Myrtle Beach’s finest golf courses — The Witch, the Wizard and Man O’ War — whose beauty enchants and challenges golfers of all abilities. Man O’War is the only golf course in the world with back-to-back island greens.
CLICK here for my Mystic Golf article entitled ‘Golf is Mystical in Myrtle Beach!’
If you are a professional golf travel writer, or represent a corporation or resort in the golf business check out the Golf Travel Writers Association (GTWA). Being a member is a lot of fun and it might fit you to a tee!
Source of Information above: GTWA website and linked individual websites.
Wearing my GTWA buddy Tom Gorman’s Man O’War hat!
GTWA golfers playing the Pete Dye GC at PGA Village on a beautiful Florida morning!
On the 9th green at Hammock Beach, part of the Salamander Resorts Legends of Golf Trail along with Reunion and Innisbrook.
