By Len Ziehm
ORLANDO, FL — The Golf Travel Writers of America underwent a leadership change this year, with George McNeilly chosen as its president.
GTWA is a professional group for golf travel writers, editors, broadcasters, and other media professionals who cover golf destinations and the broader industry. Its mission is to maintain high journalism standards, share industry expertise, and provide reliable, engaging coverage of golf experiences worldwide.
“No press releases or agency content can match the credibility and authenticity of third-party working media members who have no vested interest in the success or failure of a golf course, resort, or sporting event,’’ McNeilly said. “The most important thing is for our members to respect the history and heritage of our organization.’’
GTWA has been around for 21 years, started as a labor of love by co-founders Bruce Vittner and John Edwards, who aimed to create a forum for traveling golf writers.
“The landscape continues to change rapidly, as most credible storytellers in media centers or on assignment are not full-time employees,’’ said McNeilly. “I’m not certain those craving amplification for their businesses fully understand the decline in staff and budgets at news organizations and truly appreciate the broad reach and dedication of our members.’’
For working media who meet the qualifying criteria, membership provides meaningful benefits, access to a network of experienced peers, opportunities for collaboration, professional development and increased visibility with a dedicated community focused on the craft. It also connects writers with industry partners, tourism groups and destinations.
“That makes GTWA an ideal place to grow professionally, stay informed, and strengthen one’s presence in the golf media landscape,” said McNeilly. “Everything starts with a conversation, and we want to be seen as something similar to the ‘Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval’ for those who travel and write about a sport we all deeply care for.”
This year’s transition started with revising bylaws and a simplified mission statement: `To inform and engage golf fans and participants with integrity wherever the sport is played, watched, attended, written about, or visited.’
Some members also suggested that the organization needed a new name, but the majority quickly rejected that idea.
“We’ll always be doing something that involves writing,’’ said McNeilly. “So the Golf Travel Writers of America is even more relevant, as we distribute on emerging platforms to more people than ever.’’
Incoming vice president Alan Darty, publisher of Golf One Media, led a team that has redesigned the association’s website to better serve the needs of a membership that now includes broadcasters, podcasters, and credible influencers who share the organization’s mission.
“Golftravelwriters.com is a one-stop hub for golf-related businesses to experience the quality work of our members and to connect with them,’’ Darty said.
McNeilly’s extensive career experiences should greatly benefit the organization. For the past 14 years, he has taught Sports Business at Full Sail University while also regularly writing about professional golf and related destinations and products for this publication.
Before that, he served as a senior executive at ESPN for more than a decade after beginning his career as an award-winning multimedia broadcaster, producer, and writer with experience from four Olympics on three continents, 17 Super Bowls, and many of golf’s biggest events.
In addition to McNeilly and Darty, the GTWA executive committee includes Dan Vukelich (secretary), Joy Sarver (treasurer), and this writer as president emeritus. The organization is headquartered in Orlando, FL. For more information visit http://golftravelwriters.com. Membership information is available there.
“We want to be welcoming yet discerning,” said McNeilly. “So many people are multimedia contributors now, and we must stay mindful of that. The word is continuing to spread. There are many opportunities for our members to add value to the audiences and stakeholders we serve.”
