Google+ GOLF Community Hits 20,000 Members!

Ricky Potts, the founder and owner of the massively successful Google+ GOLF Community, talks about why he started the community and where he sees it going from here.

The Google+ GOLF Community recently passed 20,000 members, and I took the opportunity of that benchmark to chat with Ricky Potts, the Community’s founder and owner, about how this all happened and where it’s going.

I’m constantly amazed at the vitality of the virtual world and its capacity to bring together groups of people who share interests and concerns. Many of us find our way into one or another of those virtual networks, but few few of us actually create one.  So I asked Ricky how and why he came to establish this stunningly successful virtual community.

It began in 2012, Ricky explained:

"When I heard that Google+ was introducing Communities, I wanted to create one focused on the greatest game ever played. At midnight that night I created a Community and called it GOLF. There were, and are, a few other golf communities on Google+, but mine, over time, became the most popular and with things like the #WednesdayMatchPlay, it has remained popular . . . The goal was to create a place to share stories, tips, products, etc. about the game."

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EB: Who were the early members of your Google+ GOLF Community?

RP: Off the bat, I was telling all my golf friends and teaching professionals – just trying to get them in the Community.

EB: What kinds of dialogue did you hope to create?

RP: I want someone that is a 20 handicap to come in, find info, and share his or her story. Then I want teaching pros to share tips and tricks to help those golfers. I want brands like Arccos Golf and GAME GOLF to share what is going on in their world. If you are even remotely interested in the game, I want them to be in, read, learn, engage with the content.

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EB: I understand that you are the “owner” of the Google+ GOLF Community, but with 20,000+ members how do you control the content of what community members post? How do you avoid spam?

RP: I am obsessed with keeping the content spam-free and all about the game. Some members will share political content in there in hopes of reaching a wider audience. I get a notification and an email for every new post. It is a labor or love for me to keep that content clean and remove anything not golf related.

EB: Tell the ProGolfNow readers about the Community’s annual golf outing, “The Oven” (so-named because he holds it in the Arizona desert in August).

RP:#TheOven16 is the third annual golf outing that I’ve hosted. When I was living in Indiana I hosted a music concert called 6 Bands for 6 Bucks. When I moved to Arizona, I wasn’t connected to the music scene, but knew I would be golf. #TheOven14 had 12 participants. #TheOven15, 28. For #TheOven16 I am hoping to reach 48 golfers. This year things kick off with a Champions Dinner where I invite the honorary starters (the three guys that played in the first and the second event, and the winner from 2015. On that

night I host a pairings party at Four Peaks in Scottsdale where we will blind draw pairings for both days. Then golf

followed by food and drinks, then each golfer will get $20 for the casino.

we play another 18 holes followed by an appetizer buffet and complimentary cocktails while we do awards and crown #TheOven16 champion. It is SO much fun, and I don’t just say that because it’s my event. Oh, and don’t forget about hole prizes and parting gifts. Last year 12 states and 2 countries were represented. This year I already have 8 states represented.

Follow this link to learn more about the Google+ GOLF Community Oven16 and get registered to join the fun, if you think you can stand the desert heat.

EB: Where do you see the Google+ GOLF Community going from here?

RP: The sky is the limit. As time goes on I see more engagement, more content, and eventually it will become, I hope, THE place for golf content, news, etc. on the Internet. I just love the people I’ve met, like Jason Boslow, Les Bailey, and YOU! I can’t thank you enough for your support there, and for your support with this blog post/interview. The future is bright from where I sit, and that excites me.

Next: 30 Best Celebrity Golfers

If you love golf and you’re not a member of the Google+ GOLF Community you’re missing a fine opportunity to talk with other golfers and golf fans, learn about new equipment, and take advantage of a lot of free course reviews and pick up some free playing tips.