Sharing his passion

n 1992, Valentino Macor found a way to come out of retirement and still focus on what he loved best. The former golf pro who now works as an agent for Wylly's Professional Travel in Coral Gables, Fla., decided to specialize in the sport he spent 30 years teaching.

"Since I was too young to be retired, I decided to lend my expertise to organizing and conducting golf tournaments outside the U.S.," he said.

Macor said that a colleague of his in the travel industry recognized that Macor's knowledge of Europe, South America and Asia from the sport could be used to promote the destinations to golf enthusiasts -- whether they were singles, couples or groups.

Basically, Macor supplies the agency with contact lists comprised of people in the golf community who would be interested in booking travel related to the sport.

Macor alternates between booking golf-related travel and counseling other agents.

His main expertise is in advising clients on the best places for golf around the world.

Macor, who was born outside of Venice, Italy, came to the U.S. when he was a teen-ager to play golf and study at the University of Miami.

"I knew that the life of a golf professional, especially one who taught, would be much better in the U.S., so what better place to pick than south Florida?" asked Macor.

He began his apprenticeship in 1962 with a five-year stint at the Granada Golf Club in Coral Gables. Macor retired in 1992 as head manager of the Granada as well as of the Biltmore Golf Club, also in Coral Gables.

In 1963, Macor cofounded the Orange Bowl International Golf Championship, which is held each year at the Biltmore Golf Club.

As Macor put it, "The first tournament was held in 1964, and as its reputation grew, so did my list of golf contacts worldwide."

According to Macor, one of the most popular ways for amateurs of all levels to enjoy the sport is to go on a cruise to golf destinations around the world, such as France, northern Italy, the Caribbean, the U.K., southern Spain and Morocco.

"Clients get to enjoy a great vacation even when they're not playing golf," he said.

Macor said several destinations are realizing that they can attract more visitors by offering golf, while agents are seeing that they can get higher commissions by booking the activity for their clients.

-- Michele SanFilippo

Top golf spots

here are people going to play the sport? According to agent expert Valentino Macor from Wylly's Professional Travel in Coral Gables, Fla., the majority of Americans traveling abroad to play golf are usually directed to the U.K. and Ireland because of the common language and the fact that Scotland is considered the birthplace of golf.

Another popular destination is the south of Spain, where there is an abundance of courses with villas and apartments making extended stays easy to arrange.

Macor said that in addition to these tried-and-true golf destinations, his niche is specializing in out-of-the-way locations such as Morocco.

"Some of the most beautiful courses exist in this part of the world" and most people know nothing about it, he said.

"In fact, the king of Morocco, himself a golf fanatic, insists that his courses have a fine, manicured look," he said.

One of Macor's favorite areas for golf is the south of France, where his family spent their summers.

Golf enthusiasts can find great and inviting courses all along the Cote d'Azur, according to Macor.

"Just 15 minutes north of Cannes in historic Mougin is a course I really like to recommend -- the Royal Mougin Golf Club -- and carved out of the hills overlooking Monte Carlo you have the Monaco Golf Club," said Macor.

He also has gained a special affinity for the principality from working with the Monaco Board of Tourism.

In Paris and Ile de France, Macor said, golfers have a choice of some wonderful and difficult courses.

In his native Italy, from Rome to the Swiss border and from Venice west to Torino, Macor suggested many courses, such as Il Circolo Golf Club, Villa D'Este Golf Club and Monticello Golf Club, but also said construction is going on annually to expand a number of clubs.

As for Japan and golf, Macor said there is great demand for the venue, and the few agents who are able to get their clients on these exclusive courses really have a selective niche.

"Plus, by promoting golf in Japan you get to sell your clients a hefty air fare, ground transportation and hotels," said Macor.

"Not at all a bad deal."

Some of Macor's top tips for booking golf vacations include finding out ahead of time whether there are prerequisites for guests to play on the courses even though they aren't members; asking whether rental equipment and/or golf carts are available; knowing the distance from the course to the client's hotel, and recommending minivan rentals for groups of four or more players who plan on bringing their own golf clubs.

Do payroll services pay?

Is it cost-effective to hire a payroll service?

A: Yes, for most agencies. Although a majority of businesses process their own payroll, studies have shown that it costs the business more than $7 per paycheck.

You should also factor in penalties for mistakes, which are quite common when payroll is done in-house.

According to recent IRS reports, one of out every three employers has been charged for payroll mistakes. And the frequency of tax law changes doesn't make it easy for small business owners.

Payroll services, for the most part, are worth their fees, especially for small businesses that have employees working different numbers of hours each week or that have different pay scales for their employees.

Generally, payroll companies all provide similar services, which include payroll and payroll tax calculations, signature-ready paychecks and management reports.

Some offer extended services at additional costs, such as setting up and administering 401(k) plans and compiling employee handbooks.

Shop around for the best fit for you.

Q:What federally mandated signs must I post in my shop?

A: Federal and state laws require that certain posters be displayed in each business. Five federal posters should be displayed in a common area:

Each state has its own posting requirements. Most states require posters containing information about unemployment insurance, workers' compensation, discrimination and minimum-wage requirements. Some states require owners to post data about worker safety, child labor laws and holiday and state-required leaves.

These postings can be obtained from a variety of sources. Contact the Small Business Administration (www.sba.gov) or the local chamber of commerce for city and state requirements and to purchase the posters.

Former agency owner Dan McManus is president of the McManus Group publishers of business management advice. Contact him at [email protected].