Two questions come up on a fairly regular basis; what is this community and what's an ambassador. The second question is then quickly followed by a third, which is, "what do you get for being an ambassador?" Those of us that are more tenured here have had many interactions with the FJ Staff and visitors to the site regarding all three of these queries. The question has been part of the FJ home screen for some time as well. Personally, I've reflected on these questions many times, and very recently some aspects came into focus a lot more.
What is this community? Well it's a gathering place where anyone and everyone can come and talk about FootJoy and golf. There really isn't any topic that's too far out of bounds, unless one gets a bit too excited about competing brands of product. Remember, FootJoy is our most gracious host, and we owe them some courtesy in this regards. Over time though, we've touched on a great many topics....
As a community, this site is just like your favorite gathering place, not unlike your golf clubs bar, tap room, or dining room. You come in and grab a quick refresher and chat about things that are on your minds. You are encouraged to share your thoughts and opinions, while respectfully hearing the same from others who may offer a different point of view. This place is where you can come as often as you like, or as little, but you should always feel welcome.
As you spend time here, question two, "what is an ambassador, " should start to become more clear and emerge into your view. Ambassadors are men and women who have come to the FJ community and become a consistant part of interaction over a significant amount of time. We have been using FJ products long before this site was operational, and will have the same amount of love for the brands if this community site ever departs. Speaking for myself, FJ the brand provides a level of product quality far beyond any other golf brand in the market, and I tell anyone that asks frequently. People at the places I golf know what brand I wear, why I love it, and why I am involved. Most of those conversations end with a puzzled look on their faces and the comment, "and you don't work for them and they don't pay you?" I love this brand. Look in my closet or the trunk of my car and there is no mistaking where my loyalties lie.
When you come to this community and take the time to become part of this place, it is you and you are it. The community is friends who just happen to become ambassadors, and many ambassadors naturally become close friends, which leads to the third question, "what do you get as an ambassador?"
This one is easy and annoying all at once. It's annoying becasue many come here thinking that unless FJ "gives" them something for free that this place isn't worthwhile. I beg to differ, and here's why. What one gets as they spend time here is comraderie and friendship. I was reminded of this yet again over the past few days as Mike and Shaun visited from back east for our 2nd annual lefty open....
This place FJ has established has become the place where I have met so many people that have become part of my extended golf family. There are also people here who have become a more broad part of my everyday life. Friends that are too many to name, each special in so many ways, and whom I interact with on so many levels, both personal and professional.
So ask the question, "what do I get when I become an ambassador" again. If you really become an integral part of the community, you give more than you get. What you get is far more more than any artifact. If you come and give freely of yourself without expectations of some personal benefit, you will ultimately receive far more in return. You will find friends you would never have access to in places you never would expect to reach. Friends in every sense of the word.
So FJ may indeed be "The Mark of a Player." But it is also so much more than that....