A Social Game
Golf meetup group bringing game's enthusiasts together on the links by AIDAN CHAFE Tuesday, March 25, 2008 The largest recreational golf group in Canada traveled to Chilliwack to play a round at the Falls Golf and Country Club over Easter weekend.Networking through Meetup.com, a website that enables people to start similar interest groups with local enthusiasts, the Lower Mainland Golfers Meetup Group started in the fall of 2007 and now boasts 242 members.
Bill, who lives in Agassiz, is one those members. He has a disability stemming from a lung disease that forced him out of work. A long-time golf enthusiast, Bill was recommended by his doctor to exercise as much as possible. During the weekdays, while his friends are at work, Bill golfs at Harrison by himself, and says he looks forward to meetup group tournaments because it enables him to socialize and play golf at the same time.
"For myself, I'll golf before I do anything else," he said. "It gives me the opportunity to golf with other people. The more exercise I get the longer I'm going to last, at least that's what the doctor says."
Saturday's tournament at The Falls, marked the group's 11th since current organizer Ray Nielsen took over. He and fellow members enjoyed blue skies on the links--a rare sight for the group.
"This is our 11th Meetup event since I started and the first time we've had sunshine," he chuckled. "It has poured every other day."
Since Nielsen took over, the group has increased by more than 200 members in just eight months. The Delta resident took on the role of organizer because he was fed up with the lack of information and accessibility provided on the Internet for golfers looking to try new golf courses.
"There really isn't an easy way to find what you're looking for," he said. "Collaborative marketing efforts on the part of the courses to provide the consumer with information, that should be their priority."
Taking it upon himself, he started BCGolfPages.com six months ago, a site dedicated to providing the casual or everyday golfer detailed information and discounts. His goal is to have access to every golf course in B.C.
"Once we get even more members, they'll realize how serious I am about this project," he said. "I'm not here to make money; I'm not making any now. I just want people to go golfing, meet people and have fun."
© Chilliwack Times 2008
