Interview With Mike Jamison Director & Founder, ING

Below is an interview with Mike Jamison, CEO, of Jamison Golf Group, a PR/Media Relations and Event Management company serving the golf industry since 1990. HE is also the Executive Director & Founder of International Network of Golf. ING is a 21-year-old, non-profit, media-based networking organization.

The following are a few traditional and non traditional golf centric questions that I love to ask influential people in the golf industry.

When did you start golfing and who introduced you do the game?
I started playing golf as a 6-year-old and was introduced to the game by my three older brothers.

What is your current home course?
Timacuan Golf Club in Lake Mary, FL, a terrific Ron Garl-designed course.

To date, what is your proudest golf accomplishment?
Winning our club's Member-Guest tournament with my cousin Rick in 2010; In business? Watching an organization I have overseen for 21 years, the ING, continue to thrive in a tough economic climate.

What is your biggest golf pet peeve on or off the course?
Slow play - people who do not play "ready golf." Anything longer 3 and 1/2 hours is time wasted.

What is your favorite golf destination?
St. Andrew's Scotland is where the heart lies; Pinehurst is like a second home; Myrtle Beach has the entire package; Northern Michigan has the beauty and the weather (in the summer only!); And Las Vegas: Great courses, the best nightlife.

What course is on your bucket list that you have not played yet?
Augusta National (I have no prayer of playing it, but one can only dream). Would also like to play the courses at Bandon Dunes.

If you woke up tomorrow and could play one course you played before, where would you play?
Tough decision between Pebble Beach; Kingsbarns or Carnoustie in Scotland. Royal Porthcawl in Wales.

But I would love to play Pinehurst No. 2, followed by a cigar and Scotch on the porch of the Carolina.

If you could change one aspect, rule or thing about golf, what would it be and why?
I think the stroke and distance rule for out of bounds is unfair. A simple drop at point of crossing, plus stroke penalty, would do.

Dream foursome (living)?
Arnold Palmer, Bill Murray, Natalie Gulbis

Dream foursome (living or dead)?
The Vegas Rat Pack - Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr. - Can you imagine the stories?

18 Rapid Fire, Off The Cuff Questions

1) Hitting Long Drive OR Sinking Long Putt?
LONG DRIVE

2) Having Round of Life OR Hole in One?
ROUND OF LIFE - So much luck involved in a hole in one.

3) Golfing at the crack of dawn OR twilight?
TWILIGHT - IF I DIE AT SUNSET PUTTING OUT ON THE 18TH GREEN, I'LL DIE A HAPPY MAN.

4) Hit a power fade OR power draw?
I love hitting a POWER DRAW on command. But it rarely follows my command, so I play a POWER FADE.

5) Beverage cart OR halfway house?
BEVERAGE CART

6) Bathroom OR bushes?
BATHROOM

7) Hot dog OR wrap?
HOT DOG

8) Around the green, being in sand OR thick rough?
SAND

9) Walking OR riding?
RIDING (but love walking the Old Course with a caddy)

10) Do you carry traditional 3 iron OR hybrid?
HYBRID

11) Do you prefer long par 3 OR long par 5?
LONG PAR 5

12) Pants OR Shorts?
SHORTS (A must in Florida)

13) Palmer OR Nicklaus?
PALMER - my childhood hero and one of my favorites interviews as an adult.

14) Beatles OR Elvis?
BEATLES - Their Long and Winding Road wasn't nearly long enough.

15) Play for fun OR play for money?
We like to make it interesting!

16) Bump and run OR flop shot?
The closer to the ground the better.... It's one the reasons I love links golf.

17) Lay up OR gamble?
Gambler at heart (that's why my wife is in charge of the bank account)

18) 18 holes OR 36?
My heart and soul whisper 36. My body screams 18.