Article from GWB
* USGA SHUTTERS GOLF JOURNAL
By Ron Sirak
Golf Journal, the magazine of the U.S. Golf Association for 55 years,
will cease publication after the March/April issue. A memo to staff from
USGA executive director David Fay said seven out of nine jobs were
eliminated. Fay said the decision "is primarily driven by the rapidly
changing nature of communications vehicles through which we provide and
receive our news: E-mail, cell phones, 'Headline News'--the so-called
'24/7' mentality."
In a letter to USGA members dated Feb. 24, USGA president Reid Mackenzie
said the organization would launch a print newsletter in May called Inside
the Ropes, which initially will be distributed six times a year. Mackenzie
said the frequency of Inside the Ropes would be based on "our experience
and your reaction." He said most issues would cover a variety of USGA
topics but that a few may focus on a single topic.
Mackenzie also said USGA members would receive, in addition to the Rules
of Golf every other year:
--The official U.S. Open Program which, beginning in 2004, will include
a special section that will preview each USGA national championship to be
played that year.
--Beginning this year, a book published in November or December that
will review each USGA championship from that year.
--An expanded e-mail product about newsworthy events.
--A more aggressive updating of the USGA website.
According to the USGA annual report, Golf Journal cost $4,045,000 to
produce last year. The USGA annual report says the organization has
720,000 members. Member dues and contributions totalled $18,195,000 in
2002, according to the annual report, an average of $25.27 per member.