Golf is my passion. I like what golf can teach the individual.
Integrity: Golf is unique in that the players call penalties on themselves.
How to recover from adversity: Golf and life have bad lies, bad bounces and uncontrollable conditions. How you react, recover and prevail against adversity is a great lesson.
Etiquette: Golfers take turns, keep quiet while others are taking their shot and dress appropriately. Not bad advice in business.
Charity: The PGA tour has contributed more than $8 million to local charities!
Unfortunately, golf originally provided those benefits only to the very wealthy. Even early professionals were considered “outsiders” in the early days.
I started playing golf late in life. We weren’t a “country club” family. But, thanks to success in business, I have had the chance to play some of the world’s greatest courses, from Pebble Beach to St Andrews, the home of golf and the British Open. My love for golf has grown over time. As anyone who has seen the memorabilia and the awards in my office can tell you, I have become sort of a golf nut! That’s why I believe everyone should have the opportunity to learn the life lessons that golf has taught me.
That is also why my most-recent award is so special to me. I was given the deep honor of joining a stellar list of notables who received the Ken Venturi “Spirit of Giving” Award presented annually by the Friends of Golf (FOG). Mr. Venturi was a former U.S. Open champion who donated his time and expertise to support the expansion of golf’s benefits.
All recipients of the Spirit of Giving Award, from CBS Sportscaster Jim Nantz to U.S. Olympic Committee Chairman Peter Ueberroth, are committed to making golf accessible to young people of diverse backgrounds. FOG provides funding to youth golf organizations at all levels and also collects and redistributes gently used equipment to underprivileged youth.
I am personally committed to expanding the game. In fact, I have supported FOG for many years even before I came to Konica Minolta. I believe that golf offers everyone the chance to enrich his or her life. The lessons it teaches you, from critical thinking and focus to partnerships and patience, are tools that will serve you at work, at home and at play. Golf is a game you can indulge in your entire life.
I am also devoted to awarding those who achieve the greatest success in this great sport. To that end, Konica Minolta will be a presenting sponsor for The Ben Hogan Award, which is given annually to the top men’s college golfer. Rewarding achievement is what Konica Minolta is all about. Our association with success in such a great sport will bring a lot of attention to Konica Minolta and our values as a company.
Golf is what I am passionate about. I share this with you so that you, too, can think about your own passion. Where do you want to invest your time and expertise? Where do you want to lend a hand?
Once you know that, get involved. Each of us can make a difference. Our future, and the future of our youth, depends on it.
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