CHARLESTON, S.C. (May 18, 2011) – In response to widespread concerns and questions expressed by golf course owners and operators regarding third party tee-time resellers, the NGCOA has developed a policy statement and issued a set of best practices to help members make informed decisions and optimize relationships with resellers.
The policy, which was developed following input from the association’s board of directors, local chapter executives, the NGCOA Canada and a survey of members, states that the NGCOA will provide information and education to help members decide if it is in their best interest to engage a third party.
“It has never been the role nor the intent of the NGCOA to prescribe how independent owners and operators should conduct business,” said NGCOA CEO Mike Hughes. “But it is our responsibility to help members understand important issues affecting our industry and to give them information that helps them make decisions that are best for their business.”
The NGCOA policy defines third party tee-time resellers as “any entity other than the golf course or group of courses that is in the business of providing sales and distribution of tee times, memberships and related services to golfers through intermediary websites or other marketing channels not owned by the golf course.”
The NGCOA policy states the following:
• The NGCOA’s role with respect to third party tee-time resellers is to provide information and education to its members so that they are aware of the key issues and can act in their best interests.
• Golf courses should promote (individually and/ or in groups) as many sales as possible directly through their own websites, pro shops, call centers and other outlets.
• If the golf course, using its own independent judgment, decides that it is in its business interest to engage the services of a third party reseller, the golf course should design plans and systems that position these resellers as supporting strategies, intended only to drive incremental business and fill in times of soft demand.
• Golf courses opting to use third party resellers should protect their business interests by utilizing best practices to manage their relationships with these entities.
The NGCOA’s recommended best practices are designed to help members who engage third parties structure agreements that help them realize maximum benefits from the relationship. Best practices include: signed written contracts, clearly defined terms of agreement, best-rate guarantees, data ownership, payment terms, tee-time auctions, URL ownership, Search Engine Optimization, brand protection, tee-time inventory, loyalty and membership programs, indemnification and regulatory compliance, pricing, online links and transferability.
To see the NGCOA policy statement and a detailed list of best practices, go to ngcoa.org.
About the NGCOA
The National Golf Course Owners Association is the leading authority on the business of golf course ownership and management. The Association represents the key decision makers with ultimate responsibility for golf courses throughout the world. Through advocacy, information resources, purchasing programs and networking opportunities, the NGCOA helps golf course owners and operators run more successful businesses. For more information, visit www.ngcoa.org or call 1-800-933-4262.
Contact:
Sarah Gurley, NGCOA
800.933.4262 Ext.208
sgurley@ngcoa.org
