Revolutionary system to be available to clubs, individuals
ORLANDO, Fla. – Free Drop Innovations, an international corporation dedicated to the game of golf, will unveil two revolutionary scoring systems sure to add to the enjoyment of the game for all players as part of its inaugural exhibit at the 2010 PGA Merchandise Show.
The GameBook real-time scoring system for golf clubs and the GameBook iPhone application for personal use allow players across the course, across the country or around the world to track event scoring in real time. Both will be displayed and demonstrated at Free Drop Innovations’ booth (#1726) and showcased in the New Product Center when the 57th annual PGA Merchandise Show is held at the Orange County Convention Center January 28-30.
GameBook for golf clubs is a revolutionary real-time scoring system that is the product of years of development and testing. Working with professional golfers, including British Open Champion Stewart Cink, Free Drop Innovations has developed an easy-to-use handheld device that allows golfers to experience the thrill of monitoring live tournament scoring during their round. No more wondering how each group is doing; no more waiting until final scores are posted. With GameBook, everyone knows where they stand throughout their round.
“I have been involved with GameBook since the beginning, providing a Tour player’s insight throughout the development process,” said Cink. “It’s very rewarding to see that GameBook is not only now a reality but one that exceeds our initial expectations. GameBook will spice up your game and motivate you to play better throughout the whole round.”
The GameBook system for golf clubs includes 24 devices and an Extranet for event management. Each group uses one handheld GameBook device to enter its scores and monitor scoring for the entire field. GameBook comes with a variety of built-in, easy-to-play side games, including established favorites like Nassau and Skins, with new games being developed and added all the time. GameBook users are also invited to suggest their favorites.
GameBook has garnered unanimous approval from all who have tried it. Golf club owners and operators immediately realize the potential new revenue stream GameBook represents. But just as importantly, they see this unique, new product as a service that can attract new clientele to their course, while making the playing experience more enjoyable and exciting for all players.
GameBook also helps to organize events — from invitations to results. And because players can now know the final results within seconds of the final putt dropping, there will be less time spent checking and calculating scores and more time for socializing in the clubhouse, further adding to the players’ enjoyment as well as the club’s bottom line.
The GameBook iPhone application for personal use adds a new dimension to both casual and competitive rounds with friends. With GameBook on your iPhone, it is now possible to record and monitor real-time scoring for multiple groups during a regular round. The built-in game formats keep track of any and all side games and wagers, while leaving players free to concentrate on their game.
The iPhone application also allows players to register at the GameBook community and create a personal profile. During play, GameBook feeds statistics of each round to the profile. The personal account makes it easy to compare your statistics with friends, invite them to play, challenge friends worldwide, post photos and videos from golf rounds and keep track of your friends’ games in real-time online, all from your iPhone.
As PGA professionals, the founders of GameBook noticed a worldwide phenomenon: golfers on the first tee are always confident and full of excitement, but not all players leave the course with the same enthusiasm. Using the GameBook, they have developed exciting new side games, like Erado and Duplicate, that help golfers maintain their interest and enthusiasm throughout the round.
About the PGA Merchandise Show
Since its inception in 1954, the PGA Merchandise Show has become the world’s most influential golf trade show and the global summit for the business of golf. In January 2010, the PGA Merchandise Show will once again welcome more than 45,000 industry professionals from some 75 countries to uncover the latest trends, source the newest golf merchandise, test the latest equipment, enhance careers, learn proven business best practices, network among peers and grow the business of the game. Nearly 1,000 golf vendors, representing every business sector of golf from market leaders to start-up companies, will display and demonstrate hundreds of thousands of golf merchandise that will appear in golf shops and retail stores throughout the 2010 golf season. For more information, visit www.pgashow.com.
The PGA Merchandise Show and PGA Fall Expo are organized in partnership with The PGA of America.
About Free Drop Innovations
Free Drop Innovations Ltd. was co-founded by Mikko Manerus and Kalle Vainola, professional golfers and PGA members. The GameBook Team also includes British Open Champion Stewart Cink, European Tour winner Mikko Ilonen, NHL Stanley Cup winner Teemu Selanne and Apple Design Award winner Elias Pietila. All these people have come together to create a product that helps golfers enjoy the game more than ever. For more, go to www.golfgamebook.com.
Contact:
PR contact:
Reid Nelson
843.696.2366
reid@reidnelsonpromotions.com
CEO
Mikko Rantanen
+358 500 656565
mikko.rantanen@freedropinnovations.com
Sales
Dave Rossi
(561) 460-6152
info@freedropinnovations.com
