One Of The Northeast’s Premier Golf Destinations Complements 36-Holes Of Championship Golf With Two New 6-Hole QOLF Courses; First Golf Resort In The U.S. To Adopt Popular South African Family-Fun Game
Galloway, New Jersey, June 4, 2007 … Seaview Resort & Spa, A Marriott Resort, one of the premier golf destinations in the Northeast, today became the first resort in the U.S. to adopt the QOLF Game, one of South Africa’s most popular leisure activities. A cross between golf and croquet, QOLF is a family-fun chipping game that can be played by anyone, regardless of their playing ability, either as a leisure activity or to hone their short game skills. In fact, Seaview, which boasts 36-holes of championship golf, has created two 6-hole QOLF courses on property for use by resort guests, including families, group meetings, conferences, etc.
Developed in South Africa, where its popularity is paramount, QOLF has evolved into a widely accepted leisure activity for golfers and non-golfers alike. QOLF features color-coded (orange, red and blue) frames that have an arch and a hole. The objective of the game is to hit a specially designed, limited flight, QOLFball through each of the frame arches with a minimum amount of strokes, based on the frames Par value. Players can earn bonus points by hitting the ball through the upper frame hole! The game is ideal for families or beginner golfers who may not want to venture out onto the championship courses, QOLF provides a test of accuracy, touch and skill, and is an ideal tool for short game training as players can hone their chipping skills and hand-eye coordination.
The new QOLF Courses at Seaview, which are part of the Resort’s overall Family Golf Program, feature two 6-hole layouts with shots ranging from 7 to 20 yards each. Seaview offers QOLF at no charge to its guests, providing players with pitching wedges, QOLFballs and special QOLF scorecards at the Golf Shop. Players can choose either of the QOLF course layouts, playing individually or in small group tournament formats, during daylight hours and in an unlimited play capacity. As part of its corporate QOLF program, Seaview meeting planners will provide an entire cocktail reception theme for groups of all sizes.
"QOLF is a perfect complement to our championship golf program, especially for families, juniors and non-golfers," said Steve Schaller, Director of Golf, Seaview Resort & Spa, A Marriott Resort. "Golf is very popular, but not everyone is ready to venture out for a championship golf experience. That’s what makes QOLF so great, as it is a fun alternative to the links that anyone can play."
Today in South Africa, as an alternative to both traditional golf courses and short game courses, QOLF Course development has become a rapidly growing golf business. In addition to leisure use, QOLF Course facilities have become extremely popular for corporate entertainment.
Adds Schaller, "QOLF is great for group meetings, as companies large and small can now utilize our QOLF Courses for entertainment, team building programs, and as an alternative for people who don’t want to venture out for 18- holes of championship golf."
For more information about Seaview Resort & Spa, A Marriott Resort, log onto www.seaviewmarriott.com. For more information about QOLF, log on to www.qolf.com.
About Seaview Resort & Spa
Seaview Resort & Spa is one of the premier resort destinations in the Northeast Region, located minutes from Atlantic City’s casinos, beaches and boardwalk and within easy driving time of Philadelphia, Baltimore and New York. Situated on 670 acres, with 27,000 square feet of conference and meeting space suitable for all types of functions, Seaview features 36 holes of championship golf on two of New Jersey’s oldest and most prestigious courses, the Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa, an indoor swimming pool, health club, tennis, and gourmet and casual dining. Host to the ShopRite LPGA Classic, Seaview’s golf facilities also include a Faldo Golf Institute and Swing Studio and beautifully groomed natural-grass practice facilities. Also located nearby is the Marriott Vacation Club International’s Fairway Villas. For more information on Seaview Resort & Spa, please log on to www.seaviewmarriott.com.
MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL, INC. (NYSE: MAR) is a leading lodging company with nearly 2,900 lodging properties in the United States and 67 other countries and territories. Marriott International operates and franchises hotels under the Marriott, JW Marriott, The Ritz-Carlton, Renaissance, Residence Inn, Courtyard, TownePlace Suites, Fairfield Inn, SpringHill Suites and Bulgari brand names; develops and operates vacation ownership resorts under the Marriott Vacation Club, Horizons by Marriott Vacation Club, The Ritz-Carlton Club and Grand Residences by Marriott brands; operates Marriott Executive Apartments; provides furnished corporate housing through its Marriott ExecuStay division; and operates conference centers. The company is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and had approximately 151,000 employees at 2006 year-end. It is ranked as the lodging industry’s most admired company and one of the best places to work for by FORTUNE®. The company is also a 2006 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ENERGY STAR® Partner. In fiscal year 2006, Marriott International reported sales from continuing operations of $12.2 billion. For more information or reservations, please visit our web site at www.marriott.com.
Contact:
Michele Kruchkowski (mkruchkowski@mastrocomm.com)
Ari Edelman (aedelman@mastrocomm.com)
Mastro Communications, Inc. @ 732-469-5700
