Rowdy Team Golf League Looking to Expand, Despite Lack of Interest
by Mulligan Stu
on Dec 6, 2007 4:59 PM EST
in Blog Posts
2 comments
Yep, just what the headline says: Nobody cares about the National Golf League, but its owners still want to expand. Its owners have spunk. Just like Mary Richards. And disinterested fans are the Lou Grants replying, "I hate spunk."
But you never know. Maybe the time is ripe for rowdy team golf. The time being one where loud and obnoxious - two things not normally associated with tournament golf - are viewed by many as positives, not negatives.
Loud and obnoxious are adjectives that apply to drunk golfers, however, and perhaps that's the niche the NGL is pursuing. After all, one of its players is quoted thusly:
The National Golf League has three divisions, six teams in each:
| NoCal Sonoma-Marin Breakers East Bay Power Silicon Valley Drivers Sacramento Eagles Valley Zone San Francisco Spin |
SoCal OC Wedge Inland Empire Styx Channel Islands Sharks Palm Springs X Heat San Diego Spikes Los Angeles Stars |
AZ-LV Phoenix Fireballs Scottsdale Screech East Valley Albatross Las Vegas Chips West Valley Blades Royal Dunes Knights |
I was unaware of the NGL's existence until stumbling across an article in The Arizona Republic headlined, "Despite low interest, National Golf League to return."
Despite drawing around 900 spectators per "game" in California, but only around 30 to Arizona "games," the NGL hopes to expand, with Texas viewed as good expansion territory.
But the league organizers say a television deal is a must if there's any hope of longterm success.
"We all have hurdles with any kind of start up, but we're trying to get business partners that want to help fund some television shows and underwrite the cost of production," he said.
"If we keep this thing cost-effective, we can grow the league," Aube added. "Most of the players have said they've never had more fun playing in any (other) professional event."
Mitch McDowell, 23, a long-drive competitor from Phoenix who routinely blasts his drives 380 yards, is one of those players.
McDowell also competes on the Gateway Tour but likes the NGL because it's so different.
Plus, he can consume the beverages of his choice.
"It's everything good about partying and golf all at the same time," he said. "We get to play a Ryder Cup format, drink beer and listen to music on the course."
...
Next year Aube wants to partner with local breweries to create a bigger party scene in the Valley, a brewfest-type atmosphere that has attracted people to his California events.
"You can't just run a tournament without creating a party," he said.
I checked the team rosters on the NGL Web site, and there are two surprises:
1. I've actually heard a few of the players. Not many. But a few.
2. I didn't see any Big Breakers on the rosters.
Drunks playing golf, drunks watching golf. Not my scene, man. But if it's yours, have at it. The NGL needs you.
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National Golf League (NGL)
Whats wrong with offering a game a new look with teams?
www.ngl.blip.tv
website: www.ngl.tv
Regards,
Bob Aube
Founder, National Golf League
www.ngl.tv
by NGL 2008 on
Dec 8, 2007 7:53 PM EST
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