Power of connections

The most critical element to success involves creating connections.

The more people who feel and learn something beyond the obvious on our print and web pages, podcastwaves, and social media feeds, the more connections we create. The deeper the connections we establish, the more appealing our content becomes to consumers and partners.

A connection is different than a click, view, impression or mention. A connection can’t be measured or bought. Companies focused on connections endure. Companies focused on clicks and quick sales quickly become irrelevant. Connections are why we have outlasted competitors in a crowded media space and why we’re one of the few remaining golf-focused publications to distribute monthly print issues.

Our team works incessantly to produce meaningful content connecting golf maintenance professionals with their peers. Partners see the value in those connections and use our reach to help build their own connections. Study the advertiser and names index toward the back of every issue and you’ll notice a theme: the industry’s leading companies and individuals trust our ability to make connections.

Establishing connections represents a gigantic and evolving responsibility. Without connections, we can’t fund a talented team of writers, columnists, editors, sales professionals and graphic designers. A talented team allows our content to stand out in crowded mailboxes, inboxes, feeds and podcast platforms.

Think of it like a golf course that fails to sell tee times and memberships at lucrative rates. Conditions deteriorate and joyous recreational space transforms into a housing development, an overgrown field or an Amazon distribution facility. Your business, like ours, must establish connections to flourish.

Connections are why Venango Valley Inn & Golf Course made this month’s cover.

The process of telling the story started with a personal connection: I noticed last January on Facebook that Jim Cervone and two partners, including his brother-in-law Michael Pero, purchased the northwest Pennsylvania course. I had visited my native region of western Pennsylvania a few times over the years to report on Cervone’s current and potential work. His humility and positive relationships with superintendents induced feel-good vibes.

Shortly after seeing Cervone’s Facebook post, I reached out via text message to congratulate him on the purchase. I’ll be honest, I had never heard of Venango Valley before Cervone’s involvement.

I mentioned I’d like to visit the course later in the year and record a podcast about owning a golf course. I waited until fall, knowing owners, superintendents and managers at cold-weather courses are more relaxed in October than June, July or August.

The moment I arrived at Venango Valley, I knew a memorable fall day awaited. The Federal-style inn harkens to simpler times, the parking lots and front lawn were well-tended, and the turf featured appealing hues.

If you visit enough golf courses, you can grasp the culture — positive or poor — in less than an hour. After seeing the initial outdoor and indoor tidiness, and watching the friendly interactions among Cervone, clubhouse manager Larrie Rose and customers, I knew I would be producing something bigger than a podcast. Venango Valley emerged as a place where I could spend hours, days, weeks, months and years playing golf, eating, or working, because of a fabulous culture motivated by creating connections.

Venango Valley is one of 11 courses in Crawford County, population 83,351. Previous owners Durbin and Kim Loreno were masters in creating connections. The connections they created allowed the course and inn to thrive in a saturated, small-town golf market. Credit goes to Cervone for connecting me with the amazing couple. Dedicated owners who treat their people and land with respect — and invest in both — determine the fate of golf facilities in small and big towns.

Venango Valley’s story provides insight into how connections can boost a course. Thousands of courses with similar stories make golf a fascinating business to cover.

Our content compass flies in many directions, and we know there’s always another course to see and more people to meet. Proactively connecting with us will connect your course’s story to an engaged audience.

Our contact info rests on this page. We’re always eager to make new connections.