Former Presidents Cup Host Site to Install Industry-Leading System on Four Gary Player-Designed Courses
(CHANDLER, Ariz.) – ProLink Solutions — a wholly-owned subsidiary of ProLink Holdings Corp. (OTC BB: PLKH.OB) and the world’s leading provider of Global Positioning Satellite ("GPS") golf course management systems and on-course advertising — today announces its South African distributor, On Course GPS, will install the ProLink system at Fancourt Hotel and Country Club Estate in George, South Africa, past host to the Presidents Cup matches and one of the world’s most prestigious resorts.
Located between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth on the famed Garden Route, Fancourt has been named Africa’s Leading Golf Resort at the World Travel Awards five consecutive years, is listed on the elite Great Golf Resorts of the World roster, and is a member of the exclusive Leading Hotels of the World fraternity. ProLink’s industry-leading, solutions-based GPS system will be installed at Fancourt’s four courses, including 2003 Presidents Cup host The Links as well as the Montagu, Outeniqua and Bramble Hill courses.
In seeking to enhance its customers’ experience while streamlining operations, Fancourt selected ProLink GPS over all its competitors. Installed at more than 500 courses worldwide, ProLink is featured at 2006 Ryder Cup host the K Club in Ireland, 1997 Ryder Cup host Valderrama in Spain, and PGA Tour event venues such as Sea Pines Resort in Hilton Head, S.C.
"On Course GPS and ProLink provide the perfect complement to the world-class golf experience that Fancourt delivers," says Ingrid Diesel, CEO Resort General Manager at Fancourt. "The richly detailed graphics and precise yardages offer a tremendous aid to our golfers and genuinely boost their enjoyment. At the same time, Fancourt realizes great benefits through the ProLink system’s superior course-management capabilities, advertising initiatives and customer support."
"On Course and ProLink are honored to have been selected over the nearest competitors to provide this state-of-the-art GPS system to Fancourt Hotel and Country Club Estate, a truly elite golf and luxury destination," says Andrew Nelson, President of On Course GPS. "On Course’s and ProLink’s status as the category leader in quality and innovation is greatly enhanced by this partnership."
Designed by South African golf legend Gary Player – as are all four Fancourt courses — The Links ranks No. 59 on Golf Digest’s list of the top 100 courses outside the United States. Its holes are reminiscent of the links of Scotland and Ireland, while the surrounding Outeniqua mountain range adds spectacular beauty to the routing. The Links course was the site of the 2003 Presidents Cup, which produced some of the most dramatic moments in recent golf history as the United States and International teams played to a tie.
Also regarded among South Africa’s top layouts, the Montagu and Outeniqua are parkland-style courses featuring superb conditions and breathtaking views of the nearby mountains. In fact, the Montagu course has been voted the country’s most beautiful golf venue. Bramble Hill is a public-access course and the newest addition to Fancourt. Its elevated greens and numerous water hazards make Bramble Hill every bit as challenging as its siblings.
Opened in 1989, Fancourt Hotel and Country Club Estate is considered one of the world’s great destinations thanks to its serene environment, scores of activities and world-class accommodations in the form of 92 guest rooms and 57 suites. Set near the shores of the Indian Ocean, the resort features a spa, golf academy, tennis courts, nature trails, swimming, and five outstanding restaurants.
On Course GPS has installed the ProLink system at many of South Africa’s top golf resorts, including Arabella (Kleinmond), Lost City (Sun City) and Zimbali Country Club (Ballito), since the companies joined forces in 2005.
"On Course has made outstanding progress toward its goal of installing the ProLink system at South Africa’s finest golf estates and resorts," Nelson says. "Top advertisers are now able to reach affluent customers at exclusive properties where no marketing opportunities existed in the past."
About On Course GPS
On Course GPS is uniquely positioned to expand ProLink installations at public, private and resort courses in South Africa. With a year-round golf climate, breathtaking scenery, favorable exchange rate and an abundance of complementary activities such as wine routes and safaris, the country has emerged as one of the world’s great golf destinations. Second to the U.S. in residential golf living, South Africa is rapidly increasing its golf course inventory.
Via its innovative financing programs, On Course GPS provides courses with flexible alternatives to install ProLink GPS. Golf courses can purchase ProLink outright or enter a fixed-lease agreement. They can also take advantage of a no-upfront-cost, pay-for-play opportunity whereby the golf course is invoiced on a monthly basis per actual cart round with no minimum guarantee. A small increase in cart fees of $5 per cart round is required and offset to the players.
Further increasing the accessibility of ProLink for all courses in South Africa, On Course GPS has developed an on-screen advertising program through which courses can offset the cost of the system with such revenues. Additionally, a "Corporate Day Package" provides GPS-based administration of tournaments and outings. On Course GPS is attracting advertisers of the highest quality through this exclusive medium that targets high net worth individuals and offers access to the country’s most significant spending power.
About the ProLink System
Innovators of golf GPS technology, ProLink Solutions’ core philosophy is to be a "Trusted Partner" in golf course management. From enhancing golfers’ overall experience and improving pace-of-play, to bolstering revenue streams and creating new profit centers, ProLink Solutions products and services have captured markets both nationally and globally.
Installed at more than double the courses of its competitors, combined, ProLink is featured at more than 500 resorts, private and public courses worldwide, including 2006 Ryder Cup host the K Club in Straffan, Ireland; Valderrama Golf Club in Spain; Dal-Takararazuka in Osaka, Japan; and Kapalua Resort in Maui, Hawaii. The world’s most respected golf management companies have also adopted the innovative technology and marketing richness: Billy Casper Golf, Evergreen Alliance Group, Kemper Sports, and Pacific Golf Management all engage with ProLink.
Golf cart fleets are custom fit with 10.4" high-resolution color monitors that broadcast vibrant, easy-to-read graphics of each hole. Throughout their rounds, golfers continually refer to the screen to pinpoint distances, locate hazards, navigate the golf course and to place food and beverage orders with the touch of a button. The ability to relay medical emergencies and receive dangerous weather condition warnings from the pro shop provides golfers with a full suite of communication tools.
From the pro shop, management utilizes the ProLink system to monitor golf cart fleets and optimize operations using fully integrated, Windows-based workstations. The precise locations of golf carts, color-coded pace-of-play status for each cart, as well as cart battery levels and other wear and tear indicators are readily available. Robust back-end reporting through user-friendly software yields a multitude of course statistics, all designed to raise the bottom line. Courses engaging with ProLink report pace-of-play improvements of up to 30 minutes per round, resulting in four additional rounds per day.
Food and beverage managers are able to post daily lunch specials and/or high margin items on the ProLink units, boosting sales by up to 30 percent. Event planners are able to maximize tournament and corporate outing revenue via the ProLink system. Through its ScoreCast and ScoreMaster software suites, ProLink units offer a simplified-yet-comprehensive tournament set-up that allows for any format and for any number of tournaments to be carried out simultaneously.
ProLink Solutions also offers financial solutions through ProLink Capital for leasing the system, fleet expansions, or course improvements. The ProFit program is another alternative for courses to leverage financing options and generate substantial advertising revenues to substantially reduce or eliminate the system cost.
Risks and uncertainties are described in reports filed by ProLink Holdings, Corp with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. For more information about ProLink, visit www.goprolink.com, call 480.753.2337 or email info@goprolink.com.
Contact:
Rich Katz / Shane Sharp
Buffalo Communications
703.891.3319 / 704.519.8381
rkatz@billycaspergolf.com
ssharp@billycaspergolf.com
