Golflogic.ca

Par 5 – 5 Questions with Danny Fritz – Director of Golf Properties, IMG Canada 

GL – You were the former COO of the CJGA where you had the unique opportunity to shape the future of Canadian golf.  Over the last few years we have seen some great young Canadian talent emerge and have some great success on the international scene.  What role does the CJGA play in that? 
 
DF – The Canadian Junior Golf Association has been in existence for almost 15 years and its goal is to give Canadian junior golfers an opportunity to develop their competitive skills. It does that through six different stages of a young golfer’s development, starting as early as the age of five, right up to competition at an international level.  CJGA alumni include some of Canada’s best young pro prospects including Derek Gillespie, James Lepp and Chris Baryla. 
 
GL – You joined IMG in March 2006, what attracted to you IMG?
 
DF – IMG is the best in the world at what they do and the company’s presence in golf is unmatched.  I had worked quite closely with IMG over the years in my role with CJGA, and I was excited about the chance to expand my experience in the industry specifically in TV and media, two areas that IMG specializes in.  It is an ideal scenario because I am still quite closely involved in the CJGA because of the work they do with IMG. 
 
GL – This past year IMG made the decision to drop many ‘team’ athletes and represent more individual athletes, with golfers amongst the most prominent.  What can we expect to see from IMG Golf?  The representation of more golfers, more events, possibly television programming?
 
DF – It’s interesting to note that IMG was in fact founded on golf so it really is the foundation of the company’s success.  From representing the majority of the world’s top professional golfers, to owning or producing golf events, to even being very involved in golf course design, golf is an important part of every facet of IMG’s businesses.  A big part of the reason to move away from some of the team sports was a strategy to focus on our company’s biggest strengths, and that includes individual sports like golf and tennis.  With that being said, IMG is aggressively growing those core strengths so I think it’s fair to say that you will see IMG expand its interests in golf in the future.
 
GL – The Telus Skins game has been a very popular event the last few years.  What can we expect from the event this year and are there other events we should keep an eye out for?
 
DF -This year marks the 15^th Anniversary for the TELUS Skins Game, an event that is considered by the players to be the best Skins Game in the world.  Every year IMG Canada works to keep the event fresh with a creative theme, location and player talent.  Last year’s event in Banff, Alberta was easily the most successful in the event’s history, so it will be difficult to top, but that’s half the fun of this event; trying to always make this year’s event more entertaining than the last.   We are also working on two or three different golf events that we hope to announce in the coming months so it makes for a very busy schedule all year round.   
 
 
GL – Most people reading this would love to have your job.  Do you get to play much golf now that you are sitting in the Ivory Tower?
 
DF – I don’t necessarily get to play as much golf, but I am literally always around the game which is obviously very rewarding.  You probably won’t find many people who will say they’re just as happy being at work as they would be on the golf course, but I’m lucky enough to say that I’m one of them!
 
GL – Thanks Danny!