Editor’s Note: Staying on course

We’ve tried to have a little fun with Insurance Journal’s annual Golf & Leisure issue without veering too far off course. But, inevitably, some reality crept in, expanding our editorial coverage to include other hot topics:

• The effects of Hurricane Katrina continue to be felt by families up and down the Gulf Coast and by the insurance industry. So that issue led to our update on key Katrina court rulings (page 12) and a report on where claims stand two years after the catastrophe occurred (page 10) to help place the storm in some historical context.

• New wildfires seem to be spreading and threatening homes and properties every day (page 14), and our sources say no state is immune.

• The latest news from the world’s reinsurance markets (page 20) is actually an upbeat report on recent successes — but International Editor Charles Boyle brings the insurance industry back to reality when he suggests it may be a bit early to be celebrating.

Now for some of the fun

Even with the discussion of such serious topics in this issue, we did leave room for fun. For instance, what insurance agent wouldn’t give his expirations and autographed photo of Raymond Burr to be an owner of a golf course? We found Indiana insurance agent Ron Smith may have an even better deal than that. His brother owns the course that he gets to play on whenever he wants — and he gets to insure it. To learn how the family that golfs together stays in business together, see page 25.

And what could be more fun than insurance for musical instruments, river rafting, wine tastings or carnivals? If those markets don’t tickle your leisure bone, how about luxurious medispas? The market reports start on page 44.

Golf clubs don’t involve just fairways and greens, of course. They now include restaurants, bars, fitness clubs, retail shops, swimming pools — and more. Dana Blose reminds us that as golf clubs go beyond the bounds of the game to become family entertainment centers, their liability exposures travel beyond errant balls and slips and falls. Have fun learning on page 30.

Who knew that the PGA uses lasers to map the location of every shot by every competitor on a course and identify areas that are safe for fans to congregate? That’s just one way pro sports teams grapple with keeping fans on top of the action and safe at the same time. Read more on page 16.

You will find golf photos from around the industry (starting on page 32) plus the winners of the 2007 Trusted Choice Big “I” Youth Golf Tournament (page 11).

Exactly what would keep an insurance professional from a game of golf? According to Peter van Aartrjik, if your golfing partner is about as much fun as a water hazard — cancel your game. Oh, and cancel him as a customer, too (page 90).

Also, columnist Alan Shulman (page 78) isn’t kidding around when he urges agency owners to consult a teenager for business advice.

You won’t find another insurance magazine issue like our Golf & Leisure issue. We hope you agree that for once a year at least, it’s acceptable to mix business with pleasure.

On behalf of all the Insurance Journal editors, reporters and contributors, enjoy!