We were so excited to hear that our friend, Ray Taranto of Eastern Shore Golf Magazine, is going to be awarded the prestigious honor of Business Person of the Year by the Ocean City Chamber of Commerce. While we are privileged to have a direct connection with Ray, we thought that many people may not know the man behind the shore’s most popular golf magazine. Join us as we speak one-on-one with Mr. Ray Taranto.
Q: Congratulations on your most recent acknowledgement! How does it feel to earn the title of Business Person of the Year by the Ocean City Chamber of Commerce?
A: I am humbled and feel very thankful to be recognized for all of the hard work that we have put into growing the game of golf here on the Shore. The OC Chamber has played a big role in our success by providing multiple monthly events that are open to chamber members. We use these events to meet other business owners here in our region and so many of them have become great friends and supporters of ESGM.
Q: We are so excited to promote your events, especially the new Tour Sponsored by Under Armour! How did you think to host this event? What was your reason for asking Under Armour to be the title sponsor for this event?
A: We are very lucky to have D3 helping us to promote this exciting new endeavor. D3 has been there from the start with great advice creating our website, hosting our email campaigns and updating our weekly tour standings. Our regional Tour on the Shore series, now in its ninth year, has grown from a 2 day championship in the first year to a twentytwo event series across the Eastern Shore. Based on the growth of the regional tour, we had the idea to take it to a National level. Our regional tourney series has been sponsored by Under Armour for the past seven years. They were very happy with the way we represented the brand so it was only fitting that we asked them to sponsor this as well. The national tour is a huge undertaking and we are up to the challenge. When one of the greatest companies in the world believes in you like UA does in us it keeps us focused on putting together the best product that we can for the players.
Q: Have you had any surprises along the way while planning this event?
A: Not yet and fingers crossed that when the surprises do pop up that they’re positive ones!
Q: What was your reason for creating the Eastern Shore Golf Magazine?
A: Ten years ago we wanted to put a magazine together that would focus on all of the amazing golf organizations and golfers here on the shore. We wanted to include the youth, women, and senior golfers as well. We were looking to unite the golf scene in our region. We also knew that we could give back to the community in so many ways through the game of golf. These awesome community relations inspired us to create the regional Tour on the Shore, the Junior Tour on the Shore and now the national “The Tour” series, all in hopes of uniting golfers and growing the game.
Q: When you first began Eastern Shore Golf Magazine, did you think that it was going to establish such a strong presence in our community so fast?
A: We had no idea how it would work out and many told us that it would not work at all. We are again so humbled by the community support and acceptance of our publication and take pride in putting together a quality magazine for all to enjoy. We are so grateful that the community loves our magazine and for all of the positive feedback that we now receive.
Q: In ten years, twenty years or more, where do you hope to see the business of golf on the Eastern Shore?
A: We would like to continue to promote the Eastern Shore as one of the most amazing golf destinations in the nation. We are also very excited about our junior golfers. We look forward to being a part of the amazing things they are going to do! We hope that more people take up this wonderful game and continue to grow the game right here in our backyard.
Q: Do you have closing thoughts and/or remarks that you would like to include in this article?
A: None of this would be possible without the loving support of my partner and wife Holly, our writers and contributors, the Eastern Shore golf courses and golf professionals, our loyal readers and especially the business owners that have believed in our vision and supported us by sharing their valuable marketing dollars with us over the years. We would also like to thank those that nominated us for this wonderful award. We are also so thankful to our many Tour sponsors, who allow us to host amazing events and championships that draw players from all over the nation. We love the Eastern Shore and all of the amazing people that we work with. We are proud to call this wonderful place our home!
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