Application links to unique, new online “clubhouse” community
ORLANDO, Fla. – Reigning Open champion Stewart Cink was among the first golfers worldwide to experience the newest iPhone application for GameBook, the only golf app providing real-time scoring, when he joined GameBook officials in hosting a one-day golf event at Reunion Resort earlier this week.
GameBook hosted the event for selected media and guests from the United States and Europe to introduce its version 1.2 update for its iPhone application, which is available now at the Apple store for $19.99.
Already unique within golf’s marketplace as the only product providing real-time electronic scoring for individuals as well as golf club operations, the updated 1.2 version further distances GameBook from its competition by providing players opportunity to connect with one another through an online, web-based community. This virtual meeting place, called the GameBook Clubhouse, is available at www.golfgamebook.com.
And the best part is, the GameBook Clubhouse is free for all golfers to use and enjoy, whether they have the GameBook application on their iPhone or not.
The enhanced capabilities of the GameBook App version 1.2 update were unveiled and utilized in a golf event featuring the reigning British Open champion at Reunion’s Legacy Course on Monday, March 22. Cink and his former Georgia Tech teammate, Mikko Rantanen, the 1994 ACC champion and now GameBook CEO, hosted selected media and guests in the one-day event that featured GameBook’s newest “full-feature” software update, just released by GameBook Inc., a subsidiary of Free Drop Innovations.
“With this new technology, GameBook enables you and your friends to enjoy and share your golf experiences in unique ways that each user can personally tailor,” Rantanen said. “We’re calling the online community the ‘GameBook Clubhouse’ because that is exactly what it is. No matter where you are in the world, you can arrange games, follow your friends’ games, send pictures and even videos in real time – basically do anything you and your golf buddies would do at your home club.”
“Mikko and I have been friends for a long time and I’ve been involved with GameBook for more than three years now,” Cink said, as he and others prepared to take the new 1.2 version to the course for the first time. “Over that time, GameBook has been continuously refined to do a countless number of scoring calculations that used to take quite a while on paper. But now, with the Clubhouse, GameBook can connect you with your golf buddies all over the world. It’s really cool.”
Using the online community, GameBook users can:
• Create their own tournaments and games with real-time leaderboards
• Track personal golf statistics, including season and all-time best
• Compare stats with friends
• Follow friends’ game in real-time – anytime, anywhere
• Comment on friends’ rounds
• Share pictures and videos in real time, even during a round
“The GameBook community will become your new ‘clubhouse.’ Hang out with friends, plan your golf rounds and share final results, no matter where you are,” Rantanen added. “It’s like never leaving the grillroom. You can congratulate a friend when he makes an eagle or bust him when he makes triple-bogey, even if he is thousands of miles away.”
Similar to other social networking platforms, the GameBook Clubhouse allows users to create their own profile and “invite” others to join their friends list. The community also allows users to set and edit personal goals, check local weather at favorite courses, see which friends are “on course” and much more.
Developed by PGA professionals, in conjunction with leading Apple iPhone developers, GameBook is designed to be easy to use, regardless of one’s computer skills. GameBook has received exceptionally good feedback already from PGA events in Florida and Georgia. GameBook comes with more than 10,000 courses worldwide in its database. Other courses can be added quickly and easily, either with the iPhone or through the Clubhouse, Gamebook’s online community.
Whether used to keep score for a single foursome or an overall tournament, only one iPhone with the GameBook App is required per pairing. And in addition to scoring the overall game, GameBook can be set up to track any and all side games, many of which have been preloaded into the application and can be set up with a simple click. The newly upgraded application also includes tutorial videos, explaining many entertaining features GameBook offers, including side game formats and how to set them up.
“With the addition of the Clubhouse to the list of revolutionary real-time features, GameBook has distanced itself from the competition,” Rantanen said. “All any golfer needs is their iPhone and the GameBook App to seamlessly connect to their golf friends around the world. No other scoring system lets you do all that GameBook offers.”
Later this year, the company will introduce a GameBook scoring system for golf clubs and resorts. Employing its own dedicated Extranet and proprietary hand-held scoring devices, the system will provide the same real-time scoring capabilities, including the ability to track side games, as the iPhone application.
About Free Drop Innovations
Free Drop Innovations Ltd., developer and manufacturer of the GameBook scoring system for golf, 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 INFORMATION, Go to www.golfgamebook.com or contact:
CEO Mikko Rantanen
Phone: +358 500 656565 or 714-782-4663
mikko.rantanen@golfgamebook.com
Sales Manager Dave Rossi
Phone: 561-460-6152
david.rossi@golfgamebook.com
Contact:
Reid Nelson
Phone: 843-7951778
reid@reidnelsonpromotions.com
