FT. LAUDERDALE, FL. — (July 17, 2006) – TeeBone Golf, Inc. is celebrating its 10th anniversary. The leader in centralized tee time reservations is doing so because of the service it provides to many golfers seeking to play some of the top golf courses, as well as its original ability to correctly understand what the golf market needed.
"There are many reasons why our service is used," says Robert Larsen, President and CEO of TeeBone Golf. "We help golfers by offering comparative tools for selecting the right course and by getting them on the tee sheet of a private club, or in advance of the general public. We provide local knowledge regarding proximity to airports, hotels and attractions. We service golfers and save them time and money as we make sure they get on the course that is right for their needs and at a competitive price."
TeeBone Golf has come a long way since it started by publishing floridagolf.com. There were no web sites about golf in Florida, because the web was so new, even though it is a mecca for the game. Now, 10 years later, TeeBone Golf handles approximately 350 courses across the country, including those in leading golfing hotbeds like Las Vegas, Arizona, Hawaii, Mexico, Florida, Hilton Head, California and others. Larsen says that number will more than double, to more than 800 courses, when the company launches a new network in August.
Last year, TeeBone entered into an agreement with Orbitz.com (www.orbitz.com) to serve as the website’s exclusive provider of golf course reservation information and tee times. TeeBone Golf supplies golf course reservation services on Orbitz.com (http://golf.orbitz.com)
While Internet tee time booking web sites seem to come and go, Larsen says TeeBone has succeeded where others failed by offering both online automated services and a full service call center backup.
"The golf industry is no slam dunk," says Larsen. "A soft, low-key approach is going to win the day. We were not the ones to push ourselves onto the industry with a business model that could not be sustained."
The soft, low-key approach that Larsen refers to has helped remove the fear factor that prevented many golfers from booking tee times and travel plans over the Internet. Booking golf and travel online is now an accepted and welcomed practice especially due to the convenience. With a ten-year legacy, TeeBone is a recognized and trusted first choice among many of these golfers. According to the Travel Industry Association of America, more than 17 million people in the U.S. play golf while traveling.
"TeeBone has automated a complex travel booking and has developed the tools over the years that assist golfers who don’t know much about the golf at their destination," says Larsen. "We offer partners like Orbitz a turn-key golf service that allows them to appeal to travelers who golf. We do this with our technology, full service model and breadth of cities served. We intend to expand our base of national partners who have the clients looking for tee times."
TeeBone Golf has clearly taken the right road to success. People remember the service, and the catchy name also stays with you, according to Larsen. But TeeBone Golf still has plenty of room for growth. Larsen says that 10 years from now, TeeBone Golf will be a common brand in the golf industry, like Titleist or Ping.
"TeeBone works to improve the game in the area of access. We believe that improved access to the right course at the right price will increase the number of rounds played. We already see it happening," says Larsen. "Mr. Smith will call to book a Monday round then say he might play again on Wednesday. With the right course at the right price, we can close the deal for Wednesday right then and there, thus securing additional rounds for the industry.
"In another 10 years, TeeBone will have created a wide network of reservation services for all types of golfers, and have the business model sustainable for the industry," adds Larsen. "It will compliment the golf course pricing and promotional policies, instead of working against them with slash and burn discounting, which is not sustainable."
But that’s down the road. For now, there’s the satisfaction of having achieved 10 successful years in business.
"I’m grateful. Golf course operators are generous and patient," says Larsen. "Being accepted in the industry and recognized as a reputable company means a lot. We know that the same vision we had 10 years ago is still on track."
About TeeBone Golf, Inc.: Celebrating 10 years in the golf business, TeeBone Golf, Inc. is the forerunner in centralized tee time reservations. TeeBone offers competitive rates and advance access to tee times at more than 350 courses throughout the U.S. and Mexico, and features marquis-name courses in top golfing meccas such as Arizona, Las Vegas, Hawaii, Mexico, Florida, Hilton Head, California and others.
For more information on TeeBone Golf, visit the company’s Web site at www.teebone.com or call the corporate office number, 954-484-2248.
For further information contact Mary Deatrick at Deatrick Public Relations, 407 332-5212.
Contact:
Mary Deatrick
(407) 332-5212
mary@deatrickpr.com
