Year end comments

The recent debacle in Detroit on the NBA basketball court must leave one to wonder about a double standard, or at the very least confirm that golfers are a breed apart. How can anyone compare the scenes from Detroit with highly paid "professionals"...Compare this to Davis Love in California (PGA Tour Feb, 2004) and his desire to confront a spectator for heckling. Davis received various comments in the press, but regardless he handled the matter in a professional manner. I would suggest that golf enjoys this type of demeanor throughout the sport, from weekend amateur to top professionals.

Quality hotels - The difference between a mediocre hotel experience and exceptional can often be the difference in a member of staff''s attitude, their desire to go that extra mile to make you feel as welcome as possible. Having recently traveled and seen some outstanding hotel accommodations, the importance of friendly, happy people on the front line of any service business is only reinforced. The "can do" attitude is contagious; nothing is too much trouble, the guests stay is paramount. Over the years and my travel I have become fairly jaded and cynical, it is fairly easy to identify the member of staff who is only acting the part as compared to the employee who genuinely wants to impact your experience. How do you train for that? Years ago, I recall being at the Four Season on the Big Island of Hawaii and remember them saying they only hired happy people...The skills can always be trained..happiness is a slower learning curve! Leaving aside the quality of the service you receive, have you ever tried to define, in your mind, what a great hotel room provides....(for holiday stays)....a fireplace in the room...minibar with kettle....comfortable bed with plenty of pillows....twin sinks....soaking tub....music sound system with CD's....plenty of hanging space and storage....unpacking area....a wonderful view....sitting area....morning newspaper delivered....thoughtfully located clocks in the room....dressing gown....mirrors in places that are useful, particularly for lady guests....all simple things but it is remarkable the number of hotels which can miss the obvious.

Golf in New Zealand - One general comment...excellent. It does not enjoy the depth of courses that the British Isles possesses, but the top courses are outstanding. Coupled with exceptional accommodations, wineries, food, sightseeing and charming people it is a destination which has only one way to go...UP. I highly encourage a visit before some of the areas lose their charm, although the perception of distance will slow down the rate of growth.

Staying in touch - As someone that travels, I firmly believe in, and embrace the technologies of change. VoIP is a technology which permits calls from any computer with a broadband connection. Sitting in my hotel room in New Zealand, people called me on a local Atlanta, Georgia phone number. I called my office at a cost of 2 cents/minute. Try http://www.skype.com/ or http://www.vonage.com/ , this is all wonderful technology that makes travel all the easier, if you carry a laptop (there has to be some upside!)