Among 15 sports categories reported by the NSGA, this rate of growth was exceeded only by inline skating (up more than 500%) and snowboarding (up more than 130%). Sports in which the estimated number of youths participating declined between 1990-99 include volleyball (down more than 40%) and tennis (down about 34%).

Among all groups age seven and older, the NSGA reports that the number of golf participants increased 9.8% between 1994 and 1999. However, the estimated number for 1999 (27.0 million) was 1.8% below that of the prior year. The cost of playing golf, including equipment, and the shortage of public-access courses are likely limiting overall participation.

In March 2000, the National Golf Foundation (NGF) said that following two years of declines, the golf industry was "poised for a rebound" in 2000, but was not likely to reach 1996-97 levels. The NG

Also, the emergence of golf stars such as Tiger Woods, Se Ri Pak, and Vijay Singh have demonstrated to minorities and young adults that golf is a game at which they can excel and have fun. In 1998, the number of African-American golfers was 30% higher than in 1996. Groups and programs, such as National Minority Golf Foundation, the Tiger Woods Foundation, and the Hook-a-Kid-on-Golf initiative, are expected to continue expanding minority participation in this game. The development of new golfing facilities - especially those that are open to the general public - should help to boost participation levels. The NGF reports that in 1999, a record 509 courses opened, including more than 200 nine-hole courses. Excluding 13 reconstructed facilities, 419 (84%) of the 496 new courses were accessible to the public and the remaining 77 (16%) were private.

More disturbing for the toy industry is that the targeted age market for toys may be shrinking. Children seem to be "getting older younger." Historically, the toy industry has considered its prime market to be children from birth to age 14. Today, the top toy-purchasing years for a child are from birth to age 10, with spending peaking at age three.

Women's sports are capturing a growing share of the marketing dollar as well. Manufacturers and major consumer products companies have offered financial support to create new leagues and events and to provide training and coaching for women's athletics. The success of the U.S. women's soccer team, as well as the establishment and success of professional sports leagues, such as the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) and Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), are likely to continue fueling interest and opportunity in women's sports.

Based on projections by the U.S. Census Bureau, the number of U.S. children under the age of five is expected to rise only about 6.5% between mid- 2000 and mid-2010. This is not especially encouraging for toy industry sales, which depend on present and future generations of children for long-term revenue growth. Another significant age group for the toy industry - five- to nine-year-olds - is expected to decline slightly during that same decade.

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